Shelter Dog Spots Girl Having An Anxiety Attack And Rushes To Help

Was Picaso just at the right place at the right time when he ran over to help a girl who was having an anxiety attack? Or was it random luck?

Last November, a good Samaritan saw the Plott hound mix wandering along a street in Charleston, West Virginia. He dropped the dog off to the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association.

CREDIT: MELISSA SMOOT

The staff first gave the dog the name Picasso. However, his name was spelt Picaso owing to a mistake in the shelter’s computer system. He had no collar, no microchip, and no one had claimed him.

CREDIT: MELISSA SMOOT

Picaso was in the shelter for 19 days, waiting to be adopted.

Everyone remarked on how nice and well-behaved he was. That’s what got him a position in a local Christmas parade, where he walked with other canines looking for homes.

CREDIT: MELISSA SMOOT

As Vigneau and Picaso made their way through the hundreds of paradegoers lining the streets, his attention was drawn to one in particular. “We were strolling along the center of the road,” Vigneau recounted. “A young lady was sitting on the curb. She looked to be depressed. Picaso took the initiative and immediately drew me over to her. He leaned his head on hers and supported her with his face. The young lady then smiled. By her body language, I could see he was helping her.”

The victim was 16-year-old Abby Ellis. Ellis has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which interferes with her blood flow and can cause her to pass out. It makes her nervous at times.

CREDIT: MELISSA SMOOT

Picaso discovered Ellis, Ellis told The Dodo, and she remembers when. “I felt his nose on mine,” she commented, and she began to pet him. I felt at peace. “My mum asked what his name was.”

Smoot learnt the dog’s name, but her main concern was getting her kid home. They moved away, leaving Vigneau and Picaso to rejoin the walk. Smoot, on the other hand, couldn’t stop thinking about the puppy. Picaso would have remembered Ellis when she returned to the shelter the next day.

Picaso rushed up to her and kissed her on the cheek. “He gave me a hug. I was definitely looking forward to it” Says Ellis.

CREDIT: MELISSA SMOOT

Picaso was coming home with them, Smoot realized at that moment. “Abby had been requesting a puppy for nearly a year,” Smoot explained. “‘Lord, please provide me a sign that Abby is ready for a dog,’ I continued pleading. This has been dubbed a God wink. It certainly was. God smiled and fulfilled our petitions with a wink.”

CREDIT: MELISSA SMOOT

Picaso was adopted on his 20th day in the shelter by Ellis and her family.

Vigneau was successful in getting Picaso a new house, but he insisted on staying with his family. “It was incredible. I, too, suffer from anxiety and have experienced anxiety attacks. I believe it’s fantastic that everyone is discussing the subject,” Vigneau remarked.