Sometimes, heroism comes in the most unexpected forms—and in the most unlikely places. In Letcher County, Kentucky, a nurse found herself performing life-saving CPR on a raccoon intoxicated from fermented peaches discarded by a nearby distillery.
A Tipsy Trash Panda in Trouble
Misty Combs, a nurse at the Letcher County Health Department in Whitesburg, had just arrived for a regular workday when she noticed unusual movement near a dumpster adjacent to the Kentucky Mist Moonshine distillery. Two juvenile raccoons were trapped among discarded fermented peaches, one of which appeared completely unconscious.
“I was like, ‘We have to get them out!’” Combs told LEX 18. “It was the motherly instinct in me because I saw that momma and she was trying so hard to get her babies back.”
The first raccoon was easily rescued, but the second, lying in alcohol-soaked water, seemed lifeless. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Combs sprang into action.
CPR to the Rescue
Although Combs was initially nervous—aware that raccoons can carry rabies—she quickly adapted. Patting its back didn’t work, so she flipped the tiny mammal over and began chest compressions using one hand. Remarkably, the raccoon’s small, malleable ribcage and tiny heart responded.
“It had drowned and it was full of water, so immediately, I just started doing CPR on it,” Combs said.
After a tense few minutes, the little raccoon regained consciousness. Named “Otis Campbell” after the iconic Andy Griffith Show character, the rescued animal was taken by animal control to a local veterinarian to sober up. Days later, Combs had the honor of releasing Otis back into the forest to reunite with its family.
Raccoon Rescues Are Trending
Combs isn’t the only person lately to save a raccoon in distress. In Sechelt, British Columbia, restaurant server Crystal Bakaluk dove into the Pacific Ocean to rescue a baby raccoon that had fallen into the water.
“The little raccoon was flailing on its back, screaming, and in a few seconds, it went under. I went in… gave him a few little pumps on the chest with my thumb, and he let out a tiny little cough,” she told CTV News.
Both rescues underscore the importance of quick thinking and compassion when animals are in peril—even when those animals are tipsy, tiny, or terrified trash pandas.
A Heartwarming Reminder
Whether it’s a nurse in Kentucky or a server in Canada, these stories remind us that humans and wildlife can share moments of unexpected connection. Sometimes, it takes nothing more than courage, empathy, and a few chest compressions to save a life.