Service dog becomes distressed as she tries to tell her pregnant mom she’s about to give birth

• Penny is a 2-year-old PTSD service animal.
• One day, the normally calm dog suddenly became distressed.
• Later that day, Penny’s mom went into labor.

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Penny has always been a sweet and laid-back dog. The 2-year-old golden retriever’s calm demeanor makes her the perfect PTSD service animal for her mom, Olivia Lachenauer.

“She’s really mellow and super sweet,” Lachenauer told The Dodo. “She’s always been very attentive to me.”

Penny, according to Lachenauer, has a calming impact and is trained to intervene both at night and during the day.

“She usually catches my triggers before I do, and it has absolutely changed my quality of life,” she added.

Penny keeps a careful check on her mother at all times, and when Lachenauer became pregnant, Penny became even more vigilant. But Penny’s conduct abruptly changed one day.

The normally calm dog appeared distressed as if she was attempting to communicate with her mom. Penny, Lachenauer thought, was reacting to the stress of having an exam that day.

That day, Lachenauer, a nursing student, had a final exam. Penny wasn’t her usual calm self and kept putting her nose on Lachenauer’s belly rather than being at her side.

Lachenauer did go into labor during her final exam.

“On question 63, I started having the worst contractions ever,” Lachenauer recalled. “I finished my final, my parents came over, and by that night my beautiful baby boy was born! Penny knew before I did that something was off.”

Penny was overjoyed that her mother was safe and sound, and she returned to her usual peaceful demeanor.

Penny now has a special relationship with not only her mother but also with her new baby brother.

Lachenauer said once she was settled, Penny turned into a super-nanny dog, checking on the baby and laying by his swing and under his bassinet. Penny would also keep a close eye on the baby during tummy time.

Lachenauer is looking forward to seeing her baby and Penny grow up together. She knows that someone will always be looking out for her little boy.

“[Penny] is attentive, sweet and just overall wonderful with the newborn,” Lachenauer said. “I think her relationship with this baby is so strong because she’s been there since day one for him.”

Source: The Dodo