Credit: Fox8/Marie Trainer
After returning from a tropical vacation in 2019, Ohio woman Marie Trainer fell severely ill just days later.
Her German shepherd puppy had greeted her with kisses — seemingly harmless.
But Marie had a small cut on her hand from a hotel keycard.
Within four days, she felt worse and worse.
Her husband, Matt, thought it was the flu and rushed her to the hospital.
Doctors discovered something far more serious.
Marie had contracted a rare infection, and it quickly turned life-threatening.
She eventually lost both her hands and legs — but six years later, she’s fighting back and redefining resilience.
Marie contracted capnocytophaga canimorsus — a rare, deadly bacteria found in dog and cat saliva.
The infection sent her immune system into overdrive, causing blood clots that cut off circulation to her limbs.
“Her hands and feet were turning black,” said Dr. Ajay Seth, the surgeon who later operated on her.
Doctors placed Marie in a 10-day coma. When she woke, her limbs had been amputated.
Originally, they planned full limb removal at the torso, which would have destroyed her mobility.
Dr. Seth refused to give up.
He spent over seven hours removing 40+ blood clots to preserve enough of her limbs for prosthetics.
Both legs were amputated above the knee, but most of her arms were saved.
Without that, she wouldn’t have survived.
Six years later, Marie’s life looks dramatically different — in the best way.
Despite delays from the pandemic, she powered through rehab and now thrives with advanced prosthetic hands and legs.
She gardens, draws, and even rides her trike again.
Her high-tech limbs mimic real touch and movement.
“When I see her walk, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, this is amazing,’” said Matt, her husband and constant support.
One of Marie’s proudest moments came when she first used her myoelectric prosthetic hands.
They respond to her thoughts, letting her open and close them with her mind.
“The first thing I did was hold Matt’s hand — I hadn’t done that in a while,” she said, holding back tears.
Despite everything, Marie never gave up.
“She still persevered,” said Dr. Seth. “And has just been running since then.”
Her story has inspired amputees worldwide, as others in similar situations have reached out.
She’s even getting ready to dance at her son’s wedding.
But through it all, Marie remains most grateful for her husband.
“I love him more and more every day,” she said. “I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
Marie’s future looks bright, but her story highlights a serious risk — infections from dog and cat saliva.
Doctors warn that even a small cut can turn deadly.
So next time your pet licks you, wash up — because life can change fast.
Marie’s journey continues, and you can still support her.
Her GoFundMe has raised over $46,000 to help with medical bills.
