County Animal Shelter Employee Saves Co-Worker's Life

Last Tuesday started off as any other day for , an animal attendant at the Baltimore County Animal Shelter. 

Thiessen, a 70-year-old Bel Air resident, was cleaning out cat cages in a back room when she suddenly turned to another employee, whispered "oh my" and collapsed to the ground.

"I couldn't remember a thing about it," Thiessen said. "I had to be told what happened afterwards. I did get some cuts and bruises to my face and elbows."

Immediately after her fall, office administrator Mary Tress, a 47-year-old former volunteer EMT with the Bowley Quarters and Middle River fire departments, rushed to Thiessen's side and started checking her vital signs. Once she realized Thiessen had no pulse and wasn't breathing, she directed another co-worker to hold up the older woman's head and began performing CPR.

"I was very scared but I kept my cool," said Tress, a Felton, PA resident. "I did what I had to do."

Tress continued CPR even after the ambulance arrived. The crew took over after setting up an oxygen tank, and then shocked Thiessen twice with a difibrillator.

"I was just sitting at my desk when it happened," Tress said. "Definitely incredible that she's alive and well today."

But the rescue was a group effort, Tress added. Some employees were assisting her while others communicated with the police and directed the ambulance crew.

"Everybody there had a contributing factor," she said. "It wasn't me alone."

Thiessen was admitted to the where she remained until last Friday. She was informed that she had sufferered a bout of cardiac arrest.

"[The employees] all rallied around me," Thiessen said. "I have some great co-workers and friends."

She sent Tress a card thanking her for her efforts.

"That was incredible," she said. "Mary saved my life. I'm so glad she was there."

Thiessen is taking at least the next month off from work to recover. She said she has pain in her chest and ribs, and is very tired.

"I'm hanging in there," Thiessen said.

Still, some good did come out of the terrifying experience. Supervisor said all the employees are planning to get certified or re-certified in CPR.

"We could be bystanders at anytime," she said. "We're all encouraging each other."

Crenson-Murrow said Thiessen's survival was "nothing short of a miracle."

"I couldn't be more proud of the staff for what they did," she said. "Ann is lucky to be alive."