Pawprints on My Heart

When you're different, you stand out. But that doesn't mean you always want to. By the time I was diagnosed with my heart condition in my late teens, I was already well on my way to reaching my full six-foot frame. Then, I started passing out while playing sports. Soon after, I received my diagnosis, was prescribed a slew of prescription medications, and was told I needed to be extra-careful... or I'd be at real risk for an early death. I was devastated. Even without the diagnosis, I'd stood out amongst my peers. Now, it looked like there was no semblance of a "normal" life in the cards for me. I felt helpless. Some days it bordered on hopeless. I could see no light at the end of my tunnel. Until a dog named Goose came along, and everything began to change.

Diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition as a teenager, I was prescribed almost a dozen medications in just three years. Realizing an early death could await me because of something out of my control was devastating... Then, one day, a nurse practitioner suggested a service animal. In desperate need of a solution that didn't leave me terrified and constantly dealing with unwanted side effects, I agreed it was worth a try. But at nearly six feet tall, I knew there were only a few breeds of dogs that might work. My first service dog, Sassy, was a Mastiff. Sassy was a good dog, and she served me well. But it was Sassy's successor, Goose, a beautiful Blue Merle Great Dane, who changed my world. Unlike any other dog I'd ever met (and, animal lover that I am, I'd met plenty), Goose exuded elegance and calm. Right from the beginning, her poised confidence surprised me, especially compared with Sassy's boisterous sociability. Goose's behavior was far from canine. It was more than humane; it was practically human. Though I didn't realize how much I'd needed it, I was immediately grateful for her patience, love, and support. Though I'd dreaded the ordeal of living with my heart condition for the rest of my life, I began to discover living with a disability didn't have to be the end for me. With Goose by my side, I was ready to take on the world. So, from bar-hopping (she was always my DD - designated dog!) to bridesmaid to Chief Canine Officer, that's exactly what we did.

Author Bunny Sumner Young began her journey after being diagnosed with a heart condition at an early age and depending on a service dog for a higher quality of life. Today, in everything she does, she emphasizes inclusion and sensitivity for all populations. Early on in her career, Bunny became a qualified mental health professional, following an undergraduate research program focused on psychology and internationally-recognized alternative therapies and treatment methods (such as animal-assisted therapy and sensory stimulation). She went on to earn her master's degree in Counseling & Psychology with a concentration in Equine Assisted Mental Health. Leveraging her unique background and education, she developed animal-assisted learning programs for professional development, personal development, executive education, leadership, eating disorders, addiction, PTSD, and cancer survivors. Exposed to a wide variety of teams and organizations through her mental health work, Bunny quickly began to notice a pervasive pattern of dissatisfaction amongst leaders and employees. To address this professional mental health issue, she founded her company, A Better Place Consulting. Today, she empowers and educates businesses, teams, and organizations on the importance of cultivating work-life alignment by focusing on personal growth as well as business growth. Her clients range from individual business owners to corporations, professional associations, and the government. She also enjoys teaching burnout prevention and crisis intervention to law enforcement, military, and correctional officers. When circumstances allow, Bunny travels the world as an international speaker and consultant, always with her current service animal, Guinness, by her side. But she is still most proud of her incredible family, including her two amazing daughters and supportive husband.