North Texas dog celebrated for helping save owner having medical emergency
As families across the country celebrate Love Your Pet Day on Feb. 20, 2026, one Irving family has an extraordinary reason to honor their four-legged hero. When Amita Rama, 56, went into cardiac arrest* in November 2025, her dog’s persistent barking alerted her husband, which led to a lifesaving response and a hero celebration at Medical City Las Colinas.
“Raya started barking and barking. My husband was upstairs and only came down because he heard her,” says Rama.
Rama’s husband, Hitesh, discovered his wife unconscious on the kitchen floor of their Irving home, called 911 and then began hands-only CPR. Minutes later, a crew from the Irving Fire Department, Station 12 arrived and after seven minutes of life-saving efforts, which included a shock to her heart from an automated external defibrillator (AED), Rama’s heart began beating again. She was transported to Medical City Las Colinas where she was stabilized in the emergency room.
Rama was present when the six Irving Fire/EMS team members were honored with 2026 Life Saver awards at Medical City Las Colinas. She is incredibly grateful for the team saving her life and for her furry family member Raya, an Australian Shepherd mix, whose instincts set everything in motion. “She always gets extra treats from me,” Rama says.
For Love Your Pet Day, Medical City Las Colinas is also paying tribute to the healthy bond between people and pets. In this case, rapid intervention from a loving husband, coordinated care between the Irving Fire Department and Medical City Las Colinas, along with one incredible dog made a lifesaving difference.
Learn more about heart health and the cardiovascular program available at Medical City Las Colinas here.
*Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood into the brain and body, causing collapse. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 90% of cardiac arrests result in death. Outcomes depend heavily on how quickly CPR and defibrillation are provided.