There are service dogs, therapy dogs, and seizure dogs. Dog are amazing! Service dogs can be for autism, hearing, mobility, and psychiatric service.
Seizure dogs can be response and/or alert. Seizure alert dogs are able to detect when a seizure is going to occur. It’s amazing that a dog can tell a difference in your motor skills and changes in your smell ten to twenty minutes before the seizure occurs. Only fifteen percent of dogs have the ability to foresee a seizure.
Seizure response dogs are trained. They are trained to help or assist during or after a seizure. These dogs can call 911 by pushing a button on the phone, turn a person on their side to keep them from choking, or alert someone by barking. They also can help people who are in postictal state. Postictal state is the time after a seizure where the person is sleepy, confused, or disoriented. The dog can help a person get up and lead them to a chair or a place to lie down. While with this person after six months, the response dog can become alert and can foresee a seizure.
I find myself lucky. My dog is an alert dog. He didn’t have to be trained. I have an aura before my seizure. After noticing “Scooter” staying close to me when I would have an aura or have a seizure, I knew he was my seizure dog. There is a long waiting list for seizure dogs. They are also expensive.
Every year, the physician’s office that I volunteer for has a dog show. They raise money for seizure dogs. The owners come to the show with their dogs dressed up. One year I saw two dogs dressed up like Minnie and Mickey Mouse. I’ll post pictures after the show.
Thank you service dog central, http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/changes for the information.