Hero Cat Dials 911

Posted by Jennifer Copley Jun 16, 2008

Officers responding to a 911 call arrived to find owner Gary Rosheisen on the floor and his cat Tommy lying near the telephone. Alone and unable to move due to multiple health problems, Rosheisen and the officers who came to rescue him could find no other explanation – Tommy must have hit the speed-dial for 911.

Tommy’s quick action was no accident. Rosheisen had trained him to call 911, but had no idea if the cat would actually be able to perform in a crisis. But with Rosheisen trapped between his wheelchair and the bed, Tommy not only dialled 911 within moments of the fall, but also hit the speakerphone button.

Rosheisen originally adopted Tommy because he knew that pets provide health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, which is particularly important for those who suffer from strokes and other serious health issues. But Tommy has proven that he can offer more than passive health effects. Visit CBS News to view a brief video of Rosheisen and Tommy.

Can dogs do it too? The answer is yes. The Associated Press reports that when Leana Beasley fell from her wheelchair, her Rottweiler Faith not only speed-dialed 911 but also barked into the receiver to request help and then unlocked the door for the arriving police officer. Like Tommy, Faith had been trained to call 911. To read about other life-saving cats, see Cat Heroes.