Twenty-four-year-old Eagle resident Kaitlyn O’Brien’s life changed when she suffered a heart attack at age 18. She moved to Idaho to attend Boise State, driven by her dream of becoming a physician assistant. Though school and long shifts at the hospital kept her busy, Kaitlyn often came home to an empty house—and an ache for something more.
"I wanted someone to hang out with; it was my first time living alone in a house. I worked late shifts at the hospital and had nobody to come home to," O Brien said. “I had been thinking of adopting a dog and after a long night at the hospital I decided it could be the perfect time.”
During a visit home, she mentioned the idea to her dad.
"I went back home to visit family and told my dad about the idea of getting a dog,” O’Brien said. “He told me that sometimes you just got to get a little rowdy."
The name stuck—and fit. When Kaitlyn returned to Idaho on June 24, 2023, she drove to Caldwell and adopted a golden retriever and named him Rowdy.
"All my hesitancy I had before getting him immediately went away and I changed from dreading coming home to an empty house to being very excited to go home and see him."
Rowdy is certified through Canine Partners For Life as a Cardiac Alert Dog, trained to sense medical issues and respond. He attended Boise State classes alongside Kaitlyn, always ready to help when needed.
Quickly Rowdy became Kaitlyn’s travel buddy, adventure partner, and most loyal friend. Together, they’ve visited California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, and throughout Idaho, with Colorado and Texas on their travel list next.
"I love seeing the world through his eyes, and his endless love towards everyone. He is truly the happiest boy and gives the best hugs and cuddles. He and I have so much fun traveling together."
"Owning Rowdy has been very rewarding," O’Brien said. "I can’t imagine life without him; there is nobody I would rather eat apple slices at three in the morning with after a long shift at the hospital."
O’Brien shares that Rowdy has taught her to slow down and enjoy life’s little moments.
"He’s got me out of the house and taken me to all kinds of places—I think I know every body of water in the Treasure Valley by now. On our walks, we’ve met so many people. He just loves everyone."
From empty evenings to cross-state adventures, Kaitlyn’s life has changed in more ways than she expected. For anyone on the fence about adopting a dog, maybe take a page from her dad’s playbook: Sometimes, you just have to get a little Rowdy.