Acid reflux, or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), is something many people deal with—even if they don’t realize it. Some feel that familiar burning in the chest after a spicy or acidic meal, while others might not notice anything until a doctor asks the right questions.
The most common sign is heartburn—a burning feeling in your chest that can come with a sour taste or the sensation of food coming back up. Other symptoms might include a chronic cough or hoarseness.
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s worth talking to your doctor. While it can be uncomfortable, it may also lead to other health issues if left untreated. Thankfully, there are often simple ways to manage it—like adjusting your diet, changing your posture after meals, or using medications.
As a speech-language pathologist with over 15 years of experience, I’ve worked with many people who deal with reflux-related issues. I’ve even experienced it myself and learned how to manage my mild symptoms through small lifestyle changes and occasional antacids.
But one of my greatest lessons about reflux didn’t come from a client or my own symptoms. It came from my dog.
Meet KeeLee
If you know me, you’ve probably heard me talk about my dogs, KeeLee and Jager. They’re both senior pups and deeply loved members of my family.
In the spring of 2024, KeeLee started showing some strange eating behaviors. She’d take tiny bites of food—what we lovingly called “drive-bys”—then wander around the house between mouthfuls. Occasionally, she’d cough or even regurgitate her food. It didn’t happen regularly, but it caught my attention.
We thought a change in how she was eating might help. We raised her food bowl slightly and began feeding her smaller portions five times a day. And for a while, that worked.
But a year later, things changed. KeeLee’s coughing became more frequent, and even her bark sounded different. My speech-language pathologist brain kicked in: Could she be aspirating? Was something more serious going on?
A trip to the vet revealed bronchitis. She was treated, and we breathed a sigh of relief. But the coughing returned—this time with phlegm—and another vet visit gave us a new diagnosis: megaesophagus. Her esophagus wasn’t moving food properly down to her stomach, and instead, it was getting stuck. She had also been aspirating—meaning food or liquid was going down her airway instead of her esophagus—which led to pneumonia.
She needed multiple medications and, perhaps more importantly, a new way to eat. Enter the Bailey Chair—a special upright seat for dogs with swallowing issues. Now, KeeLee eats standing up and stays in her chair for 15–30 minutes after every meal to help gravity do its job and reduce the risk of aspiration.
She’s back to living a happy, healthy life—with just a few new routines.
The Takeaway
KeeLee’s journey was a powerful reminder of something I often recommend to humans with reflux: stay upright after meals.
In most people, gravity and the natural movement of the esophagus work together to carry food downward. But when reflux or swallowing issues are present, food can hang around too long—or worse, go the wrong way. Staying upright for at least 30 minutes after eating can make a big difference.
For us humans, it’s pretty easy—we’re already sitting up when we eat. But KeeLee needed a custom-built chair to help her stay vertical. It’s not a cure-all, but it’s a simple and often effective first step.
Whether you’re a human or a beloved pet, sometimes small changes—like positioning, diet, or a conversation with a doctor—can lead to big improvements.