Does the unpredictability of your child’s seizures leave you constantly worried? Maybe you feel anxious about letting them play outside or even go to the bathroom unsupervised. You’re not alone. Epilepsy can make it tough for kids to be independent, and the constant worry can be overwhelming for parents.
But what if there was a furry friend who could watch over your child, give them more freedom, and be their loyal companion? That’s where Epilepsy Service Dogs come in!
What is an Epilepsy Service Dog?
Epilepsy service dogs are trained to detect and/or respond to their handler’s seizure. According to the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act): “A person who has epilepsy may have a dog that is trained to detect the onset of a seizure and then help the person remain safe during the seizure.”
When researching Epilepsy service dogs, you’ll come across two terms: Seizure Response Dog and Seizure Alert Dog. Here are the differences between the two so you can determine if a service dog can assist your child.
What is a Seizure Response Dog?
A Seizure Response Dog is trained to assist its handler by keeping them safe when they are having a seizure and immediately after a seizure. They do this in ways that protect their handler from injury and to call for help.
Some ways they assist their handler include:
- Barking to alert a family member or other person in public.
- Pressing a button or pedal to alert someone.
- Fetch medication or a phone.
- Sitting or lying near or on you (the handler) to prevent movement or a fall that could cause injury.
What is a Seizure Alert Dog?
A seizure alert dog learns its handler’s patterns and can usually detect when a seizure is about to occur. The dog can sense odors or subtle changes in their handler’s physiology or behavior, which indicates that a seizure is pending. While still conscious, the handler can prepare to prevent injury by sitting or lying down or calling for help before the seizure begins.
A seizure alert dog can help people with Epilepsy by:
- Sensing an oncoming seizure, alerting their handler before it happens
- Helping to prevent seizure-related injuries by remaining close, blocking the handler from hard objects or breaking falls.
- Alerting other people or activating an emergency device (like this one on Amazon).
- Getting medication, phone, or device in an emergency.
- Turning on lights or opening doors for people to respond or care for the handler.
What is the Difference Between a Seizure Response Dog and a Seizure Alert Dog?
The difference between a Seizure Alert Dog and a Seizure Response Dog is how the dog responds to indicators:
- When the dog notices signs of impending seizure activity in its handler, such as changes in scent or behavior, it alerts its handler (Seizure Alert Dog).
- After a seizure has begun, the dog responds to help its handler (Seizure Response Dog).
A seizure alert dog can be trained to alert the individual and bark for help before a seizure begins, whereas a seizure response dog may not be capable of detecting a seizure before it happens. However, it can help during and after a seizure.
It’s also important to note that having a seizure alert dog does not guarantee they can predict a seizure 100% of the time.
4 Paws For Ability, an Assistance Dog International candidate non-profit organization, states:
“4 Paws service dogs can be trained to recognize scent changes related to epilepsy and smell the chemical body changes that occur during, and at times even before, an individual may have a seizure and will bark to alert for help. This allows a parent or other trained adult to respond to the seizure and provide life-saving interventions such as clearing airways, going to the hospital, administering medication, etc.”
4 Paws For Ability
Paws With A Cause, an accredited Assistance Dog International non-profit organization, states:
“PAWS Seizure Response Dogs are NOT trained to protect or predict seizure activity. However, after several years with a client, some may develop the ability to alert their owner of an oncoming seizure. This behavior is not guaranteed to develop, nor to be consistent if it does develop.”
Paws With A Cause
How to Get an Epilepsy Service Dog
Getting an Epilepsy service dog can be a long process with a lot of paperwork.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to making this process easier:
- Find a Reputable Training Program
- Review Program Qualifications
- Discover Costs and Financial Assistance Programs
- Apply for a Waitlist
- Work with the Organization to Find a Match
1. Finding a Reputable Training Program
Several organizations specialize in training seizure response dogs. Here are a few examples we mentioned earlier:
2. Review Program Qualifications
Each organization has its own program requirements for obtaining a service dog. Generally, these involve:
- Completing an application form
- Providing medical documentation about your child’s epilepsy
- Participating in interviews and assessments
- Demonstrating your ability to care for the dog, including feeding, walking, and providing veterinary care
3. Discover Costs and Financial Assistance Programs
The cost of a seizure response dog can be significant, ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, including the dog’s extensive training.
While many organizations are non-profits and can provide service dogs at a reduced price, costs are still involved. The good news is that some organizations offer financial assistance programs or can guide you towards resources like GoFundMe or grant applications to help ease the financial burden.
For example, “Paws with a Cause” clients don’t have to pay to get a service dog, but there are other fees. Donations cover the cost of getting a service dog. Organizations like 4 Paws for Ability offer a reduced rate where clients pay $20,000 for a trained service dog.
4. Apply for a Waitlist
Once you apply for a waitlist, you can start your journey with finding the perfect match for your child. Be prepared for a waitlist, which can sometimes take months or even years. Training a seizure response dog takes time and careful matching with the right handler (your child). In this phase, an organization may perform a “Needs Assessment” to help determine which dog will be the best service dog candidate for your child.
5. Work with the Organization to Find a Match
Raising and training a service dog takes time, and it doesn’t guarantee that any dog will be right for your child. An organization will help you find the best match based on the “Needs Assessment.” Once they find a match, you can start the custom training process based on your child’s needs. You can also get a head start by learning about service dog training by reading “Service Dog Training Guide: A Step-by-Step Training Program for You and Your Dog,” available on Amazon.
An epilepsy service dog can provide your child with life-saving support, assistance, and companionship. It can also increase your child’s quality of life by giving them greater independence and assurance that they are not alone when a seizure occurs. As a family, you can enjoy the peace of mind and added security a loyal friend and service dog provides.