Sienna, a four-year-old Lab and pit bull mix, captured the hearts of many during an adoption event in June 2025. Her extraordinary talent for detecting seizures created an invaluable link to Josh Davis’s survival. He didn’t realize he’d missed taking his meds that morning. Sienna’s instinctual response not only alerted Josh’s wife, Kristen, but sparked a wave of adoption applications, ultimately leading to her adoption by Shannon Sweeney and her family.
During the specially organized TPA event at Friends of Campbell County Animal Control in Rustburg, Virginia, Sienna immediately picked up on Josh Davis from across the room. She jumped right over to him. When she finally got to him, she showed him that she knew by putting her paw on his chest. This simple gesture led Kristen to understand that Josh was having multiple small seizures.
“It looked like something you’d see in the movies,” said Kristen Davis, reflecting on Sienna’s instinctive actions.
Sienna’s determination did not end there. When she felt that something just wasn’t right with Josh, she didn’t waver in her support for him. She refused to budge until he received the recognition he deserved.
“She kept putting her paw up on his leg, and like, ‘Hey, are you paying attention to me? I’m trying to talk to you,’” Kristen recalled.
That touch wasn’t just one that put Sienna’s phenomenal talent on display – it underscored the life-saving mission and importance of rescue dogs. Her efforts have led thousands to make the commitment to find and adopt different pets from their area animal shelters.
“She got all excited and she put her paw on my chest and everything,” he stated.
After the event, Sienna received a huge amount of interest and was eventually adopted by Shannon Sweeney. Her new family includes Sweeney’s oldest son, who has epilepsy — making Sienna an ideal companion.
Beyond the beautiful photography, Sienna’s story is an inspiring reminder of the amazing connections that can exist between humans and rescue pets. Most importantly, it celebrates the idea that you can find joy and love in the most unexpected places.
“She is extremely laid back, and she’s very, very affectionate,” Shannon described her new pet.
Sienna’s story serves as a reminder of the incredible bonds that can form between humans and rescue animals. It emphasizes the possibility of finding companionship in unexpected places.
