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Do animals help alerting people with epilepsy?

Fri, 06/30/2006 - 21:19
One day i had a Grand Mal seizure and if most people know it knocked me unconscience...well my aunt said that Lucy (The dog) alerted her, but i was never sure because maybe the dog actually had to go to the bathroom and if they actually made dogs like that like for people who are blind...i was curious because i was wondering if they do, because if i get older if i should get a dog that help people with my condition please let me know!

Comments

Hello, my name is Susan, and

Submitted by aquila316 on Sat, 2006-07-01 - 10:36
Hello, my name is Susan, and for 11 years I had a Lab and Rottweiler mix who knew when I was going to have a sz about 3-5 minutes before I actually did. The theory is that the dog can smell chemical changes in your body and be trained to tell which ones are the sz alerters. I once heard, as an example, is that we can smell a cake baking in the oven, but the dog smells the flour, baking powder, milk, sugar, eggs, etc. My dog had been trained to make sure I was somewhere safe, and hold me there (like pinning me to the sofa, so I wouldn't get up) or back me into a corner if I was already on my feet, so I wouldn't fall and injure myself. Now you have to keep in mind that not all dogs can do this. It cost about 8,000.00 to train one, but you also have to know if it can tell you're going to have one. Another option is to have any dog trained what to do AFTER you have one. There was a dachsund here (I'm in Fla. as well) that was on the news recently. I forget what city, but when his owner had a sz (diabetic) the dog grabbed his cel phone and bit the 9 button, which was programmed to dial 911. I hope this helps Susan

Re: Do animals help alerting people with epilepsy?

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2006-07-19 - 20:51
Here's an article you may find helpful on seizure dogs!

www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1084289240.html

Epilepsy.com Resource Specialist

www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1084289240.html

Epilepsy.com Resource Specialist

Re: Re: Do animals help alerting people with epilepsy?

Submitted by ltnadimpls4u on Mon, 2006-10-16 - 18:44
Eve Yepez I'm a very firm believer in dogs helping people with seizures. You see, I have been with seizures for thirty yrs. of my life. Over the years I have found that other than my Lord Jesus, my medication, and my family and chihuahua. I say family and chihuahua, meaning that to me my chi is like my baby. Suzanne I know what you mean when you say that dogs know. Because my Chi can feel when I'm having a one, and when he senses that I've had too many he won't leave my side. The funny thing about him is when he gets like that, and I have to leave the room for a momemt. when I shut the other door he will whine, and whine until I come out of the room.

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