It comes as pooch Polly is being honoured at the Heart Hero awards in London later this evening in a glittering ceremony hosted by broadcaster Vernon Kay and organised by the British Heart Foundation.
Polly received the CPR award for saving the life of her owner, Adam Cooke, when 39-year-old Adam had a cardiac arrest in his sleep in March 2024.
A keen runner – Adam described the day he suffered his cardiac arrest as a “normal” Monday in March when he went to work and later came home, before going for his “usual” evening run.
“Hannah and I put our son Alfie, who was one at the time, to bed and then went to bed ourselves around 9.30pm,” Adam said.
“The next thing I remember was six days later, waking up in the cardiac ward in hospital.”
Adam’s wife, Hannah (33) said she woke up around 12.45am to their dog Polly barking, which she described as “unusual” during the night.
She then noticed Adam breathing “noisily” and sat bolt upright in bed.
Adam, Hannah and Polly Cooke at home
“I previously worked as a carer, and it hit me that it was the same noise I’ve heard when people are taking their final breaths,” she said.
Hannah immediately rang the emergency services and they advised her to pull Adam off the bed and onto the floor and start CPR.
Hannah continued: “Adam is so much bigger than I am so I really don’t know how I got the strength to do it, but I managed to roll him off the bed and the call handler talked me through CPR. He was amazing at keeping me focused on what I had to do, as I was completely terrified.
“When I was giving Adam CPR, I could tell his whole body was fighting to come back. Sometimes he would open his eyes and I was shouting “this isn’t your time to go.”
After around seven minutes, the ambulance, community responder and two paramedics all arrived to take over from Hannah.
“I collapsed outside the room in complete shock and a neighbour ran in and helped me,” she explained.
“The paramedics continued CPR and used a defibrillator to shock Adam back to life.”
The paramedics shocked Adam seven times in total between his house and the hospital before they could get his heart rate normalised.
He was then taken to ICU in the local hospital and Hannah said there was “indescribable relief” felt when the doctor told her Adam had survived.
“Polly alerted me, possibly within seconds of Adam’s cardiac arrest, she was the first responder,” she said.
“Because of her, I was able to start CPR almost immediately. The paramedics and first responders were amazing, they arrived so quickly and took action immediately.”
Adam was in hospital for three and a half weeks for monitoring and testing before an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) was fitted and he was discharged.
He has since received a number of genetic tests and screening tests at Belfast City Hospital where he has been given a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) which makes it harder for your heart to pump blood out of your heart and around your body.
The Co Fermanagh man has since recovered well and has adapted his fitness routine after previously using running as a form of exercise for more than 20 years.
Polly Cooke who saved her owners life
“My resting heart rate was usually around 38 – in the hospital after my cardiac arrest they said I had a heart rate of an Olympic athlete, and this worked in my favour for recovery,” he said.
“I have recovered extremely well but instead of running as much, I have adapted and generally enjoy being outdoors keeping fit.”
Adam said that he is alive and well today thanks to his “highly perceptive” pup Polly and his wife Hannah who came to his aid.
“What Hannah and Polly did the night I almost lost my life was incredible and I have an overwhelming feeling of gratitude,” said Adam.
“We know we have a very special dog with Polly, all dogs have strong instincts, but she is highly perceptive to noise and if anyone in the family is unwell, she stays by their side and is such a comfort.”
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When he was in hospital recovering, no dogs were allowed for visiting but his dad would often bring Polly to the window beside his ward which he said “lifted” his spirits.
“When I got out of hospital, I’ll never forget seeing Polly again and knowing how she had intervened that night. I just cuddled her and cried for 20 minutes,” he said.
“I’m such an animal lover and I genuinely feel animals have a large role to play in recovery. They are so in tune with people’s health, especially with their owners.”
Hannah and Adam have said the experience has given them “a new perspective” and a “second chance of life” and are delighted to be welcoming their second child next year.