A rescue paramedic and a veterinary nurse are two of the unsung heroes from the unbelievable rescue of Ditch the dog.
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News broke on Tuesday of Ditch’s rescue from a burning building in Rutherford.
His owner Mark Woodbury ran into the inferno three times to save the much-loved family member and once outside the burning house it was the community that came to the aid of the canine.
Neighbours, passersby and emergency services all helped to save Ditch’s life and the German shepherd-cross has now returned home to his owners, bruised and battered, but alive.
For veterinary nurse student Kat Lewis it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
“I was on my way to a job interview, which I was really excited about, when I saw the smoke,” she said.
“I pulled over to see if I could help and I heard Mr Woodbury screaming that his dog was inside the house.
“I joined his neighbours in trying to find a way into the house, but Mr Woodbury decided to run straight in.
“It was a miracle he even found him [Ditch], there was smoke everywhere. But he did and he threw the dog out the door.
“Next thing he bolted out of the door screaming because he thought the dog was dead, but when the dog landed we saw him gasp and we knew there was a chance.”
Ms Lewis’s veterinary training kicked in and she ran over to help resuscitate Ditch.
With neighbours she clamped his mouth shut and started breathing into his nose, while another person compressed his chest.
They carried the large dog out to the front of the property, away from the smoke and continued the resuscitation until an ambulance arrived.
“We were the first emergency service at the scene,” rescue paramedic from Rutherford ambulance station Scott Brent said.
“I saw people carrying the dog down the driveway when we arrived.
“We made sure no one was inside the house and then checked all of the people were fine and then we turned our attention to the dog.
“I love dogs, I love animals, so it just seemed like it was worth a shot.”
Mr Brent used a ventilator to get oxygen into Ditch’s lungs and, after a few minutes, the dog started to respond.
“It is not the first animal rescue we have done, but it is the first time I have used medical equipment on an animal,” Mr Brent said.
“I couldn’t believe it, that it was actually working. Things don’t always turn out well in this line of work, but this was a good one.”
The RSPCA took Ditch from the driveway and cared for him in the emergency department.
He is now recovering at home and Mr Woodbury could not be happier to have his best friend back.
