Seizures of any sort are often unwitnessed, leaving the individual vulnerable to their surroundings and any dangers inherent both in seizure activity and in the environment. Waking up to find oneself alone and confused extends that period of vulnerability.
A companion, a seizure response dog, has become the answer to many who either live independently and/or live active lives in the community. Seizure response dogs are trained to alert the individual at the onset of a seizure and to alert others for assistance.
The Lions Foundation of Canada at www.dogguides.com/seizure.html. offers a service for obtaining and training dogs for this purpose. These dogs are ‘working’ dogs. Just as service dogs for the blind accompany the individual throughout their life, so do seizure response dogs. Application can be made at the above link to determine acceptability for this program. An individual needs to have at least three seizures per month as one of the requirements.
Go to Headway at www.vepc.bc.ca to read the Brainwave, their newletter for information about Headway's epilepsy support programs in Victoria and to learn more about Seizure Response Dogs. You can also go to the link above regarding dog guides for more detailed information.
“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”
~ Roger Caras
**Headway's epilepsy and Parkinson's groups are no longer under one umbrella.
For epilepsy information in Victoria, B.C. contact: BC Epilepsy Society at: bcepilepsy.com
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