A dog coach had no symptoms. An analysis of his lungs found a terminal disease

When Christopher Kennedy went to have an x -ray before routine surgery, he thought he would and come out. Then a technician spotted scars in his lungs.

Kennedy, 68 at the time, had never noticed any warning sign. He was an Air Force retirement technician who regularly exercised and spent his time arranging his backyard and training Bernese mountain dogs to be hospital therapy.

After several tests, a pulmonologist gave him an alarming diagnosis: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF. It is a type of pulmonary disease with no known cause where the scar fabric develops in the lungs and prevents oxygen from reaching blood circulation, according to Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, medical spokesperson for American Lung Association and Pulmonologist at Johns Hopkins, which was not involved in Kennedy care. The condition is progressive with a “high mortality rate,” said Galiatsatos.

At first, Kennedy thought he could “beat” the disease. But while his pulmonary function deteriorated, he realized that it was “Baloney”. Drugs intended to slow down progressive fibrosis did not work, and it was starting to need oxygen in his daily life. Even walking to the kitchen left him tight. In 2024, the Cleveland Clinic Pulmonologist, Dr. Aman Pande, confirmed the worst fear of Kennedy: he had less than a year to live.

“We all wonder, as human beings, how we are going to go,” said Kennedy. “And you never know. It’s a great mystery. Well, for the first time in my life, I was told” that’s how you’re going to go. “”

“You go out in two ways”

Pande had an option for Kennedy: they could see if he was eligible for a double lung transplant. Kennedy, at 74, was older than most patients who undergo the operation, but he was otherwise a promising candidate, Pande said. Pulmonary transplants are generally the last option offered to IPF patients, said Pande, and are generally curative, although a small percentage of patients can see the condition is reappeared.

Kennedy was initially resistant to the idea, because his younger brother died after the same procedure. But after more convincing Pande, he agreed to undergo tests to see if he would be eligible. The doctors of the Cleveland clinic “have traveled everything,” said Kennedy. Finally, it was approved as a candidate. He was registered on the national transplantation list and waited for a pair of appropriate lungs to be available.

Over the months, Kennedy’s pulmonary function has continued to deteriorate. He went from two liters of oxygen per day to 10. He had a light case of COVID-19. He lost more than 40 pounds. In October 2025, he was admitted to the hospital.

“Dr (Jason) Turkowski (a transplant pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic) said” OK, we will admit and you go out in two ways: with a set of lungs, or we are going to get you out “, recalls Kennedy.

“We remind you that each breath counts”

Kennedy spent a month in the hospital. There were two false alarms, where it seemed that a pair of lungs could be available, but ultimately did not. The third time was charm, and on November 15, Kennedy underwent a double lung transplant.

“It was a relief. I was worried, obviously, and anxious. I remember entering the operating room,” said Kennedy. “I remember the burst of activity, all the people who were there was preparing for surgery. The next thing you know, you are in your room.”

Only a few hours after surgery, Kennedy’s pulmonary capacity was already better than it had been in months. He had several setbacks, including an infection after surgery and a stroke, but his “indomitable spirit” helped him recover, said pulmonologist Rachel Powers, who was part of Kennedy’s post-transplantation team.

“I am very proud of him. He has really kept a very good prospect of his recovery course,” said Powers. “He kept such a good perspective, and I think it was really important for some of the things he had to overcome after transplantation.”

For Kennedy, now 75 years old, life begins to feel normal again. The tests show that its pulmonary capacity is 98%. He is back spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He is able to exercise at home and has recently been able to take his dog walking without losing his breath. He almost finished forming the canine, a Bernese mountain dog named finished, to be a hospital dog.

Kennedy had believed that finished would be the last therapy dog he formed and named him, according to the retirement flights made by Air Force members. But in a few weeks, he will get a new puppy. He plans to appoint his recall to celebrate his own second chance. The training of hospital therapy dogs has become even more significant after his own medical trip, he said.

“There are many things that are different in my life. This gives you a great perspective and proportion of life, what is important and what is not,” said Kennedy. “You take each breath for granted, because, you know, why would you not do it? But as soon as they are compromised, you remember that each breath counts. This keeps you centered.”