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Health & Fitness

Every Mile, Every Minute - a Patient, A Dog, and Westfield Hospital

"I could not see any other option than to rescue this dog. Both J.M. and Stormie's health depended on us," explained Koene.

It was not your typical brisk day in the Lehigh Valley. J.M., a sixty year old truck driver had been driving his "load" from Louisiana to his final destination in Allentown, PA during a stretch of wintery cold weather in January, 2013. During the trip he felt himself getting sicker.

"It really hit me in Knoxville, Tennessee." J.M. thought he caught the Influenza Virus (flu) but continued his drive until he could "unload" his delivery. Once in Allentown, J.M. realized that he needed to rest, so he parked his truck at a local stop, Trexler Truck Plaza on Tilghman Street.

By the early morning hours, the thermometer on his truck read nine degrees. The truck’s heater was not functioning correctly and J.M. was feeling weaker. J.M. knew he needed to get himself to an Emergency Department. He called a local cab company and was driven to Westfield Hospital. J.M. was immediately seen in Westfield’s ER and was swabbed for the flu. That test however was negative. A Chest X-Ray confirmed J.M.’s diagnosis of pneumonia. But that was not his only health concern; J.M. was badly dehydrated. "I thought I was going to die."

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J.M., a lifetime dog owner, had a major problem and to him this problem was more important than his own health. J.M. left in his truck his pet dog. Stormie is an eight year old Miniature Schnauzer who started driving on the truck when J.M. began his driving career eight years ago. This dog, J.M.’s family, grew up on his truck. He remarked, "She has traveled about half a million miles; she is a well traveled Schnauzer. … She has been with me every mile and every minute."

Westfield’s ER physician, Dr. Howard Noels, told J.M. that he was very sick and needed to be admitted. But J.M. refused; he knew that if he was admitted to the hospital that his pet would not survive in his cold truck. Without second thoughts, an ER Nurse, Julie Wilkins, called their Director of Operations, Jeannette Koene. "I could not see any other option than to rescue this dog. Both J.M. and Stormie’s health depended on us," explained Koene.

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Jeannette loves dogs and has two of her own. She is an animal advocate. The staff at Westfield is well aware that Jeannette has rescued and fostered dogs. Koene immediately offered to pick up Stormie from the truck and care for her if J.M. would allow himself to be admitted. The agreement was made, but under the condition that Jeannette not travel to the truck stop alone. "I quickly grabbed Scott (Strawdinger); he has a big heart and I knew he would help rescue Stormie," commented Koene.

"Within minutes, Jeannette came down (to the ER) and in minute’s time, I knew she loved animals and I trusted her with my pet," said J.M. Scott Strawdinger, a manager at Westfield Hospital, and Jeannette traveled to Trexler Truck Plaza to rescue Stormie from the abandoned cold truck.

"I cannot say enough good things about (Westfield Hospital), especially Jeannette and Scott, who went to the truck stop and saved my dog from nine degree temperatures. Everyone at the hospital was very nice. Even the food was good, especially the salads, nice crisp salads," exclaimed J.M. "(Getting sick,) it could not have happened at a better place then Westfield Hospital… not only for me, but for my pet. This dog means more to me then my own life."

Born in Virginia, but residing in Florida, J.M. has traveled to every state and Canada. He emphatically remarked, "I couldn’t have picked a better place. Everybody was wonderful. I was extremely pleased (with Westfield Hospital). Everyone that dealt with me was fabulous. I am extremely appreciative to Jeannette. I would especially like to thank Scott for going down to the truck stop. (They) took care of my dog and retrieved my personal items out of the truck for me."

"Stormie was a terrific house guest," remarked Jeannette. "She was well behaved and acclimated quickly to the new surroundings. I could tell she missed her dad, constantly snuggling with my boyfriend and anxiously listening at the door when she heard a diesel truck go by the house."

Four days later, J.M. was discharged and happily reunited with his pet, Stormie. On Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, J.M. will be returning to the road – back to work – with his dog Stormie along for … every mile, every minute of the next journey.

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