OVERLAND PARK, Kan | July 30, 2002
Bullet, a male Golden retriever, was a true angel dog on that morning of May 1, 2002 at 5:00 a.m. when he helped save baby “Troy Joseph” from near death. The baby’s parents, Pam and Troy Sica were doing normal morning chores when Bullet began barking uncontrollably. “At 15 years old, Bullet doesn’t make much commotion anymore,” explains Pam. With his persistent barking and running back and forth, Pam followed Bullet into the room where her son was sleeping. What she saw stunned her. Little Troy was blue and not breathing. She immediately got her husband, who began CPR, and called 911. Within minutes the ambulance arrived. According to the paramedics, “if we had found Troy 10 seconds later, something terrible could have happened,” says Pam. After a two-week hospital stay for double pneumonia, baby Troy is back home with his family and savior, Bullet.
 |
| The Sica family and Bullet. |
The story is more amazing still. Two years ago when Bullet was 13, his veterinarian, Dr. Laurence Cangro, diagnosed Bullet with a heart condition in April of 2000 and later that month through blood testing to regulate his heart medication, a tumor was found on his liver. At his advanced age, friends and family recommended euthanasia. But, Pam and her husband couldn’t hear of it.
“We’ve had Bullet since he was eight weeks old. At that time, he was our only baby,” says Pam. The Sicas took out a $5,000 dollar loan to cover Bullet’s liver tumor and other medical expenses. Then, miraculously, after years of trying, Pam and husband Troy became pregnant. Pam now believes it was a twist of fate. “Because of the decision to save Bullet’s life, in turn, Bullet saved our son’s life. We love them both. They are our little miracle angels.”
On Tuesday, July 30th, Bullet received the ProHeart® Hero Award for his courageous heart and act of heroism from Fort Dodge Animal Health, a leading manufacturer of vaccines and pharmaceuticals for the animal health industry.
Presented at the Sica’s home by Dieter Keylon, Northeast Regional Manager for Fort Dodge Animal Health, Bullet was a very laid-back, willing recipient and the Sica family couldn’t have been prouder of their special family member.
“We’re very honored and proud for Bullet to receive this award,” says Pam Sica. “Bullet has always been my baby and now he’s saved my little boy. The recognition and support from Fort Dodge Animal Health means a lot to us and we are truly appreciative.”
 |
| Bullet and baby “Troy Joseph” . |
Fort Dodge Animal Health established the ProHeart® Hero Award to recognize and honor canine companions that demonstrate heroism through acts of courage. The first ProHeart Hero Award was presented to the New York Police Department Canine Unit this past January for their work at the World Trade Center disaster site. The second ProHeart Hero Award was presented to Kaiser, a one-year-old, male German shepherd, this past June for helping save his family and home from a fire.
As a recipient of the ProHeart Hero Award, Bullet received a Certificate of Recognition, a ProHeart Hero Medallion, a cash donation of $1,000 and complimentary veterinary care at Bellport Animal Hospital for one year.
Fort Dodge Animal Health, a division of Wyeth (NYSE:WYE), is a leading manufacturer and distributor of prescription and over-the-counter animal health care products for the livestock, companion animal, equine, swine and poultry industries in North America and international markets. Key products include CYDECTIN® Pour-On, QUEST® Gel, EtoGesic® Tablets and ProHeart® Injection. The company is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.