Some Heroes Slobber — Others Use Sophisticated Imaging Technology
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 25, 2018) — Sometimes there's more than one hero in a story.
Sarge the dog began life with Myrl Sizemore's family as a sweetheart with an adorable face. But the black Labrador Retriever eventually grew into a 120-pound "wild man" who left a swath of slobbery destruction in his wake.
His "victims" include any package left by UPS, camping chairs, a patio umbrella, even the seat of Sizemore's ATV.
The family was at its wits end when Sarge became an unlikely hero. That's because, on one frigid January night, Myrl had a heart attack in his front yard.
Sarge licked Myrl back to consciousness and dragged him back to the house.
And then a second set of heroes stepped in.
The University of Kentucky's Gill Affiliate Network provides comprehensive cardiology services in multiple locations in Kentucky and West Virginia. Network hospitals in Manchester, Kentucky, (Myrl's hometown) and Hazard led Myrl to the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute in Lexington, where sophisticated testing ruled out the need for a costly and dangerous heart transplant. Instead, Myrl had a heart bypass, and was healthy in time to walk his daughter down the aisle that spring.
"So, I think the story of Sarge is so wonderful because clearly Sarge saved Myrl," said Dr. Vincent Sorrell, the physician from the Gill Heart & Vascular Institute who suspected that Myrl didn't need a heart transplant. "But Sarge needed our help as well."
"So, I think together we made a really good team."
Read Sarge's full story here.
The next time you pack a theater to watch your favorite superhero blockbuster, remember that not all heroes wear red-and-gold armor, wield a hammer or carry a shield. Some heroes wear blue and white, wield a UK degree and carry a love for the Commonwealth in their heart. Meet more of UK's heroes by following along on all our social channels with #heroesofUK.
