How Do Dogs Save People from Seizures?

Not all handicaps are visible. For some people, going out in public or on a trip alone can be terrifying due to the risk of a seizure. These people are epileptic; and while medication can help to control the neurological disorder, it is not 100% effective. Luckily for them, there have been new breakthroughs in dog training and research, showing that a dog may be able to tell them when a seizure is about to strike.

  1. How Dogs Know

    • There are a lot of theories as to how dogs know when a person is about to have a seizure, but no one is really sure as to the reason. Most people believe that the human body emits some odor or chemical that indicates to the dog that a seizure is about to strike. However, this odor or chemical has yet to be identified. Others believe the dog notices changes in a person's body language that he or she may not be aware of making. No one method has been proven, and it may be a combination of these methods that makes it possible for a dog to notice a seizure before it strikes.

    Any Breed

    • While most service dogs are golden and Labrador retrievers, there are no breed requirements for service dogs, including seizure dogs. However, while the breed is of little consequence, the personality of the dog must be one that is owner attentive and eager to work.

    Signaling a Seizure

    • Each seizure alert dog has its own specialized alert technique. This communication between dog and owner is vital for the owner to understand the situation and allow the dog to help. Common alert techniques include whining, pawing, blocking the way or barking. Some seizure alert dogs have been trained to dial 911 or stay with the owner until the attack is over.

    Certification

    • Unfortunately, there are no certifications for any service dog. In many cases, the service dog or seizure dog is trained at home, receiving little more than a good canine citizenship award for all the practice and care it provides for its owner. It is recommended that the service or seizure dog wear a harness, although it is not a law or regulation. This lack of awareness can make it difficult for a person to bring a dog into stores and public events, even though the dog is necessary for everyday functions.

    Training

    • There are a few service dog companies that are willing and able to train seizure alert dogs. These companies do not guarantee the dog's ability to alert to a seizure, because each seizure is different and the signals may differ from what the dog learned during training. However, on the whole the dog does signal to most seizures. One such dog training school is the Canine Seizure Assist Society of North Carolina. While most schools charge $10,000 to $25,000 dollars per trained animal, the Canine Seizure Assist Society of North Carolina offers their dogs free of charge under certain circumstances.