Seizure Assistance and Alert Dogs
Dogs can actually be trained to alert to seizures? YES! We are very aware that most of what is said about seizure alert dogs opposes this idea - but we strongly disagree. Our training methods vary greatly from what is traditionally taught. We will not hide our secret, because this knowledge is not something that should be hidden. When other schools adopt our methods and begin training their dogs with the same techniques more people will be helped - and that is our greatest goal! With any amount of research you will have read that only certain dogs can alert to seizures - that it is something they do naturally - and they cannot be taught to perform this miracle. Let us explain our difference in thought; The dogs who alert naturally to seizures are the dogs that care; these dogs are distressed that their beloved handler is having a seizure. Why do they care you ask? Because they are naturally anxious dogs by breed and personality. Many of these dogs are displaying outward signs from their distress of knowing their handler is about to have a seizure, such as barking, whining, pacing, clinging to their handler, etc., but many other dogs are alerting in their own way by yawning, licking their paws, or hiding in another room, of which are all also signs of distress from a dog - it is just that in many of these cases the handler would never put two and two together; that their dog is licking its paws 20 minutes before every seizure for example. But in the hopes that the dog will naturally alert in a visible way trainers will hand-pick dogs who are naturally anxious, hoping that the dog will inadvertently alert the owner before the seizure occurs. This is where we go further. We do not believe that only anxious dogs can sense seizures - we believe that ALL dogs can sense them - but that not all of them care. So how do we get them to care? We play what is called 'the alert game' with our dogs. When we say ALERT the dog is trained to paw at our leg to get a tasty treat that is reserved only for this amazingly fun game. The dog starts to LIVE for this game! They can hardly wait to play it. Then here comes the miracle ... When the disabled recipient comes to San DIego for Handler Training we show them how to play the alert game, and we make certain the dog loves playing it with their new handler.... Then we cut off the game. We instruct the disabled recipient to only play the game right after they are recovering from a seizure. Pretty soon the dog realizes that the only time they get to play this amazing game is when their handler has a seizure. The dog senses the chemical changes in their handler's body - they know a seizure is about to happen - they know the game is about to happen - and they come over and paw at their handler's leg to play the game. That's it! The dog is saying, "Hey, it's time to play the game!" The handler knows, "My dog says I'm about to have a seizure." All we need is a dog who pays attention to their surroundings, and a dog who likes food. We don't have to guess anymore about what dog is anxious enough, and how might the dog inadvertently alert to the seizures, and will the dog ever put two and two together. We truly hope that more trainers pick up on this - we won't care that they are using our techniques - after all, we are here to help as many people as possible. Seizure Assistance Our dogs are also trained to assist after a seizure. They are trained to locate and retrieve a phone for their handler to call for help if needed. They are also trained to help brace or balance their handler for stability after a seizure. In certain cases recipients will ask that the dog be trained to retrieve a family member in another room. Seizure Assistance and Alert Dogs for Children and Infants Because of our alert game we can train the dog to alert a parent that their child is going to have a seizure. No more worrying! It is such a relief for parents to know when their child will have a seizure. The Facts * Dogs usually alert to seizures in consistent time intervals - for example, one dog will consistently alert 15 seconds in advance, while another dog alerts consistently 50 minutes in advance. There have not been enough case studies to determine if these time frames are based on the specific dog, or based on the person. * No trainer should ever guarantee a dog's level of assistance because all dogs are different. However, our number one goal is to get you a dog that is alerting to your seizures in advance. If the dog does not do that, we will exchange that dog for another, at no cost for the dog. After all, if the dog is not assisting you, then what is the point? Is a Little Angels Seizure Assistance and Alert Dog right for me? You must ... 1)Have seizures more than twice a month on average in order for the dog to experience them often enough to learn to recognize them. 2)Have strong communication skills and the ability to be consistent with a dog regarding training exercises. 3)Have a love for dogs. 4)Have patience to work through problems. (Even a trained dog is still a dog.) 5)Have finances to provide your dog with veterinary care and maintenance for the next 10-12 years. 6)Be willing to travel to San Diego, California for handler training, preferably with a friend or family member for support. Handler Training Hander Training is where the disabled party learns how to work with the dog as a team. This generally takes 7-14 days, with training every day. This is when the dog learns to respond to the commands of the handler, and when the handler learns how to reinforce the training that the dog has already received. We cover practical, day-to-day life experiences so you will feel confident taking the dog into your care. We work in real-life situations such as outings to shopping malls, restaurants, and parks so you will feel comfortable taking the dog with you into the public setting. After the completion of Handler Training we work together on a series of field tests, which are administered by the trainer. After graduation, you and your dog will be certified as a working team. A certification card will be provided to the handler, as well as a service vest and identification tag for your dog, which labels him or her as a service animal. We have a lifetime commitment to each recipient and each dog that we place. Once you and your dog have graduated we maintain contact to insure that your dog's training and assistance remains in tact, that the dog remains healthy and happy, and that the dog is improving your quality of life. What are the steps involved for receiving a Seizure Assistance and Alert Dog? Step 1: Request an application via email. The application is sent back to you via email. Step 2: Return the application for review. Your application is received via email, and you will receive a response within 10 business days. Step 3: If accepted we will contact you to schedule a phone consultation. The consultation is an average of 60 minutes where we discuss realistic expectations of how a service dog can assist you, and to make sure you are a good fit for one of our dogs. Step 4: Agreement. If we believe one of our service dogs can assist you we will write out a customized agreement and ask you to review your final decision with friends and family. Step 5: Return your agreement with your $500.00 deposit to be added to our waiting list. The deposit is your sign to us that you are committed to the program. Once this is received we begin fundraising for the costs associated with your dog. Some recipients also choose to be added to our website under the 'Donations' page - this is a personal decision and is not a requirement. Step 6: Fundraising. Organizations nationwide spend an average of $30,000.00-$40,000.00 on each assistance dog trained. The average service dog graduates with over 600 hours of training, and with that expense also comes veterinary care, boarding, grooming and training supplies. Because of the commitment of all our wonderful volunteers Little Angels spends a fraction of that, at $24,000.00 per dog. This is an expense covered through fundraising. If possible, we ask each recipient to be involved in the fundraising process when they can, but it is never a requirement. Step 7: Dog Selection and Specialized Training. Once the funds are met, regardless of how the funds were raised, we move you to the second part of our waiting list where you are a priority for dog placement. This is when we choose a dog from our training program that has the natural propensities to assist in the ways needed for your disability, and we continue any additional specialized training needed specifically for your needs. Step 8: Handler Training. During handler training we work with you, one-on-one, and show you how to reinforce the training your dog has already had. Once you and your dog graduate our program we stay in daily contact for the first month, followed by monthly, and bi-yearly consultations for reports on your dog's ability to continuously provide assistance to you. Handler training takes place in San Diego, California. Travel and hotel costs are often covered by additional fundraising so there is no out of pocket costs for our recipients. Please contact us by email to request an application, and the application process. littleangelsdogtraining@yahoo.com The Epilepsy Connection and Little Angels Service Dogs have partnered to both educate and place service dogs with those who suffer from seizure disorders. Please visit www.epilepsyconnection.org for the Epilepsy Connection website. Testimonials from Seizure Alert Dog Recipients Lizzy alerted last night (first to our neighbor and then to me) while Michael was in a bounce house at a baseball game. And sure enough, Michael had a seizure about 10 minutes later while in line for the slide. Fortunately, I had treats to reward her. I’m amazed that she could sense something while sitting outside the bounce house and with all of the other distractions at her first trip to the ballpark. (On top of that, this was the first seizure he had in months.) - Cindy A. My son Ethan was diagnosed with a very rare type of Epilepsy called Myoclonic Absence Epilepsy (MAS). MAS is very hard to treat - you see Ethan’s seizures are generalized. This means the seizures are happening everywhere in his brain, making it very hard to control with medicine. Because his seizures are not occurring in one specific region it makes it extremely difficult to treat. Ethan has a seizure every single minute and it has been a long road with his disability; Ethan has spent several days/ weeks in the hospital. We have tried many doctors at different hospital trying to find drugs/ diets that would work for him. A few times we found a particular drug that seemed to be working, but then the seizures come back. Ethan has been through many electroencephalogram (EEG) testing. Almost seven years now, we are out of medications for Ethan to try, and are looking for more ways to help him. One year ago I was presented with the idea of a seizure dog for Ethan. I had thought of the idea before, but this time I took it a little more serious seeing that his disorder is not improving. When I did more research on the benefits of the seizure dog, I decided what a wonderful idea it was. One of the developing biosocial issues in the field of psychology and human development is how societies may or may not socially include or exclude children with disabilities. People who live, work, go to school, and cope with Epilepsy must often deal with having a most disadvantaged/least able social status, in addition to their significant challenges. Ethan has to struggle daily with the extreme biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges on a daily basis. Having to face these challenges I have had to stand up for my son, being the best advocate that I can be, while trying to help my son cope with his Epilepsy. My son’s cognitive ability is not the best, but day by day he faces these challenges. Psychosocial challenges are an everyday situation that I, as Ethan’s mother, am faced with every day. Having the seizure dog helps my son handle the cognitive challenges he faces throughout his day. Another benefit of having a seizure dog is that it helps him develop many new friendships. The seizure dog also is helping him gain independence while making sure that his safety is intact. Without the support of my co-workers I would have not been so educated on the seizure dog. I owe much thanks to all the support from my fellow co-workers as they are the ones that presented the idea to me. They have lead me down an amazing path that has turned everyone I know and myself into better people. I want to make sure that I give much thanks to Katie (the Director of Little Angels Service Dogs)! She is truly an awesome person. Katie was and has been there whenever I need her. I could never imagine getting our dog from anyone else but her! I cannot express how much we truly are blessed to now have her as part of our life! When we did our research we never heard of Little Angles so we applied to many different schools to get Ethan’s service dog. Because of my sons age Little Angels was the only one that accepted our application. Katie is truly a Godsend to us and is truly an “Angel!” Chloe is the first service dog in my son’s school district. Katie has been there for everyone that has been involved, and she is an amazing advocate and such an inspirational person. During training Katie wanted a day to spend with Ethan and Chloe to see how Ethan would do when other kids would be around him. Katie brought her family out with us and treated us to a day of Kayaking and spear fishing (too bad the water was so cold… lol). She truly thinks of every way that the training would be beneficial to you. Not only is Katie an angel but her family is too. Just such awesome people; we were so lucky to meet them! We love you guys and miss you very much! Going through the daily struggles it was so amazing to be in such an uplifting place with everyone. It was such a blessing to be out of the negativity we deal with on a daily basis and to feel for the first time in our life how to be truly happy. Now we not only smile on the outside, but now because of Chloe on the inside! Chloe is such an amazing dog; she knows when Ethan is sad and is always there to cheer him up. For me this is the best thing I have ever done in my life because now my son is the happiest kid on the face of this earth!!!! We also owe extreme salutations to the foster family. During our training days we had the opportunity to meet Chloe’s foster family; “The Rohmer’s”. We thank you for your volunteer spirit and your desire to support our Chloe and ourselves. Thank you so much; you have helped us in so many ways that you will never know. Knowing how much Ethan loves Chloe I cannot imagine how hard it was for you to give her up! Hopefully it brings you peace and comfort to know that Chloe and Ethan are the bestest of friends and she will be forever spoiled. You took your precious time to make a difference in my son’s life. You are all my heroes for the efforts you gave. Ethan has benefited from the help of his new service dog Chloe and now his dog is helping him to improve his quality of life. Though Ethan may have passed his formative years, he is still at his starting point to understand what the seizures has done to him personally, emotionally and socially. The companion/seizure response will give him the opportunity to explore and be more independent without being in the constant limitations because of seizures. I know that as he grows up, so is the frequency and the recurrence of his seizures and to have this second pair of eyes and ears will give us a peace of mind. As a child with a learning disability, this will also give Ethan a chance to educate people about the stigma of having epilepsy. Because of all the generous hearts that we have crossed paths with it has given me hope, inspiration, and admiration. I hope that one day I can give back in ways that can have an effect on others in need. It is amazing and very powerful when a community comes together doing what ever they could do for the good of humanity! The emotional, physical, financial, and mental support that my family, friends and the community has given me in my life has made me the mother I am today. I used to think that family was just family, that it wasn’t really important. But as I got older, and received lots of support from my family, I realized that they are important. Without my family, friends, co-workers, Katie, and the community I wouldn’t have gotten very far. God has put people in our lives, and I call them angels. My family has helped me through my trials, and has always had a shoulder for me to cry on. I asked Ethan what family meant to him. He said to me,” Love, and standing up for one another.” He also told me,” I will never forget when you told me that you wished that you could have the seizures instead of me.” Through Ethan’s eyes I am his hero but I don’t think he will ever understand just how much of a hero he is to me. If I would not have been so blessed to have him in my life I would have not been so lucky to have the family I have today, or to have even realized how important they all are. People ask me daily,” How I do it and how do you always have a smile on your face?” I tell them this, “Even though Ethan is still not seizure free I believe in my heart that God knows every hair on our head. God has us on this journey of life for a reason and day by day his message is slowly revealing to me and this helps bring me comfort.” Forever in our heart and Always in our prayers, Nichole, Ethan and Chloe Pinto |
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