Training A Seizure Alert Service Dog

[@pamellasmith2503]

I was diagnosed with Epilepsy at 24 , 71 now . For 40 plus years I was taking prescription seizure meds, I have 2 types of seizures, so I had breakthrough seizures daily. In 2017 I did my research on cbd oil and seizures, started taking high quality cbd oil March 2017 , with my Dr helping me titrate off of my meds , while taking cbd oil . I have had zero seizures since March 2017 . Just wanted to share my experience. Watching this precious puppy brought me to tears . Dogs are a gift from God ❤️🐶

[@bmarcy86]

Seeing this brings tears of joy to me. My wife has refractory epilepsy, she's now on her 3rd drug combo. Learning how the dogs react and what to train them with will allow me to train a dog for her and save us a lot of money, and get her the protection she needs. I cannot thank you enough for posting this video.

[@wensome7460]

This would be a Godsend for my son - he has terrible seizures and know ahead of time would give him time to get to a safe place before having a seizure. I am going to look into this more.

[@michelleyarrow2827]

Congrats on your new best friend. Dexter is amazing

[@mavisme4645]

Ugh!! This made me cry - SO awesome! Dexter is a lifesaver and I’m so happy that he is going to help you get some of your independence back!! A great team!

[@mariag4696]

Well done, you(s)! It was really fun seeing Dexter in training, and now seeing him with his person. Great success story, and very good video!

[@unverifiedverified4418]

I cried, this is so beautiful. Thankyou for your work. I feel for natalie, baby girl.

[@NewEnglandPatriotsfan]

Such a nice dog

[@mbp_33]

How do you get a service dog for seizures? My son in law has a brain tumor that couldn’t be completely removed without causing issues. He went a full year without any issues, then about 5 months ago had a seizure, and has been getting them more frequently. He’s now unable to work or drive so he’s home alone all day. One of these dogs would be great for him and put the rest of us at ease! So glad this young lady got Dexter. He’s absolutely amazing!

[@UASCDR]

Mindy Pellow How can I help? I’ve trained four. The most recent is a 100 lb American Bulldog who is the best ever.

[@ashleyrosso3345]

Love this so much!💜

[@thetuckerlife]

Aww I love this. :)

[@dowen3950]

That is awesome!!!!!

[@mariaburgos2501]

Is it possible I can learn how to train one for my sister? In my country Costa Rica I haven't been able to find someone to do so and I think it's very important to her to have someone to help her at all times

[@nixon742]

yes, u can train your dog to be a service dog but you might need a little help with a pro trainer if u don't know what ur doing . in fact its actually common for service dogs to be trained by their owners whether they are certified to train or not. it also depends on what kind of service dog you need. if it is seizures or fainting then u might wanna keep a shirt that you had the incidents and put it in a air-tight jar or container to help the dog in training.

[@mariaburgos2501]

@@nixon742 thank you! It is indeed for seizures

[@HHLucifer666]

​@nixon ɾҽɠιʂƚҽɾ is there anything else you can tell me about training seizure/fainting alert dogs? Got a puppy a few weeks ago and I wanna train him to be a seizure alert dog

[@kevinlawson9628]

I love this story need a dog like that for when I have my seizures very very smart dog

[@od6rp3xv6q]

You will have to chose between a Seizure Alert Dog and Seizure Response Dog. Seizure Alert Dogs will alert you to upcoming seizures, and Seizure Response Dogs don't, they only respond. (Both are great) Most of the time, you must have a minimum of one epileptic seizure a month. Seizure Service Dogs are usually only for people with Tonic-Clonic Seizures, Atonic Seizures, Clonic Seizures, Or Tonic Seizures. A seizure such as a Absence Seizure, Focal Seizure, or Myoclonic Seizure does not usually qualify for a service dog. Hope this is useful!

[@iisabellagomezz]

I have seizures since 18 after chemo, grand mal (tonic clonic), and now bc I'm getting older, the seizures are stabilizing but even though, I have one out of nowhere, and had a bad concussion. It's getting more dangerous, I'm afraid of simple things in life. I can't wait to have a dog to help me. 😭 Hope one day it happens.

[@mauriziacruz688]

Talk to me if you need 💜my son had grand mal seizures and my brother has myoclonic seizures, 💜

[@Apple_media]

This acculy made me cry a littel bit at the end, becuse myself i have epelesi/epelepsy' and i rly want a dog to help me out those moment's you rly want a frend clsoe by so you know you will be safe when you ahve no clue wuts going on when you are in that state( epelepsy) well i live and sweden, but i have only 1-2 epelepsy seizure a month' but i still feel unsafe when i walk alone in town even if people are nice to you but you want your own frend there whit you like a dog that follows you and help you out :)

[@Servicedogjax]

I have epilepsy and my service dog helps alot ❤❤

[@breaubrey3980]

I live in Michigan. Have had Epilepsy grandmals since 11 I’ve been looking trying to get on a list for one of these dogs for a long time.

[@stacytesic8813]

Can I ask you how you feel during a seizure? Are you afraid? Aware? Can anything comfort you? My son had an accident at 21 and now has a brain injury and is unable to communicate. He has seizures and I’d really like to know if there may be something specific I can do to help him, or is just holding him and letting him know I’m there and telling him he’s safe really the only thing I can do?

[@jennifertustin6629]

@@stacytesic8813 all you can really do is turn them on their side and wait for the seizure to end. Time the seizure and if it’s over 5 minutes or they’re in a cluster go to the ER. I’ve had a few seizures and I’m unconscious during them so I honestly don’t know what a seizure feels like even with epilepsy. I just know that after I get headaches, get extremely nauseous can’t walk and feel really bad brain fog and can’t remember anything. I’m so sorry that you have to witness such a thing, I don’t know what a seizure looks like or feels like despite having grand mal seizures myself. But yeah in my experience with epilepsy I’m not alert and aware when the seizure is happening and the only thing that’s helped me is that after I have some comfort.

[@stacytesic8813]

@@jennifertustin6629 thank you Jennifer, your very kind to give me all that information. ❤️❤️

[@jennifertustin6629]

@@stacytesic8813 yeah that’s just my experience but I mostly have seizures in my sleep I found out later in life that I was epileptic after having a cluster of grand mal seizures though I don’t shake I just kinda go stiff idk I’ve just had other people describe my seizures to me so I’m just going off what I’ve been told my seizures look like if that makes sense.

[@jennifertustin6629]

@@stacytesic8813 but definitely if I can help in anyway I’m glad I helped I just know my own experiences I can’t speak for other epileptics just myself.

[@bethreuben3408]

Can you tell me where you got the special button he presses that is connected to your parents phone? Thank you!

[@conraddoerr6154]

My dog is a service dog to assist with my hearing. Dogs are angels with fur. Sad that so many healthy dogs are murdered each day in The United States because shelters are too crowded. Canine potential is amazing. My dog came from a high kill shelter in Kentucky along with 4 litter mates. They were sent to Chicago Canine Rescue, a no kill shelter. We adopted her when she was 3 months old and began immediate training. She first became a therapy dog, then when my hearing got progressively worse we decided to see if she could be trained to be a service dog. We hired a trainer and she learned amazingly fast. She is a blessing. Thanks to our trainers and Chicago Canine Rescue and thanks to our dog Lucky. We are indeed the lucky ones.

[@evalisabowers8898]

I have epilepsy and I have a dog that seems to get nervous shortly before I have a seizure. I would be very interested in training him to be a seizure alert dog. I believe that he could with proper training. Is this something Little Angels could help me with?

[@ch4s693]

I have Grand Mal Seizure (AKA; Tonic-Clonic Seizure) and my mom is currently learning some facts and info on how to get a seizure alert service dog for me since I can’t control my seizures

[@iisabellagomezz]

I have it too. I'm learning more about the dogs too. I can't wait to have one.

[@tylersmith1167]

I’ve been having them for the past 2 years they have gotten bad the past 4 weeks . I’m hoping to get me a dog to help me know when I’m gunna have one . Best wishes to you!

[@rigantona538]

I have the same issue. I have a service dog but he isn’t trained for this specific thing…

[@rigantona538]

I’m first time was yesterday it was terrifying

[@firebladetenn6633]

I’ve had those exact seizures for 14 years and am hoping to one day get a service dog for them. We just haven’t had the money to even get a dog to train for it.

[@maky977]

Dogs are lifesavers! My dogs alert me,and it is usualy enough, but i dont know khow to teach them to respond properly(go find help, maby to turn me over to the side, not to jump on me, panic ect), but-cos they know when i am faking it...it is hard to practise ,cos i have to do it when i am not feling well, and that is not so smart to do, cos when i am not ok it is best for me not to stand up, altho one of them is always there for me to help me walk(exp-to the bathroom) when i am dizzy , to help me stand up and stuff like that :) Any advice is welcome :)

[@lolitaarce6266]

God created all for a purpose. God bless you. I love to become involved.

[@DeepWater-v1r]

Here’s a fact…… You CAN train a dog to ASSIST with a seizure. YOU CAN’T TRAIN A DOG TO DETECT AN ONCOMING SEIZURE. They either have it or they don’t. Scientists don’t even know exactly how it works. They have theories. That is why a seizure alert dog is a very special dog. A seizure alert dog can be any breed any size. ALL DOGS ARE VERY SPECIAL. But a dog that detects oncoming seizures and has the sense to alert….. IT’S A SUPERPOWER.Truly.

[@rottie_dexter6042]

Aww I love this so much. Also my SDiT is named Dexter (nickname Dex) and was born on March 24 lol found that really cool

[@tagrisaj3344]

How is he now?

[@TwitchHappens]

My dog, Damian, is a service dog for seizures and he lays on top of me to stop the seizures. It's pretty cool

[@AmberAmbwee]

I wish I could afford a seizure service dog. :( especially since I live alone.

[@sebastianowo5504]

Amber Ambwee You can actually train your own! However you may need to buy some equipment for your SSD but you can find cheaper options online.

[@UASCDR]

Amber Ambwee Train your own; I’ll help I’ve trained four.

[@Iro17]

@@UASCDR Hi UASCDR! I would like to train my dog for my seizures (it is mostly controlled but it would be nice to get him notify when my stress levels increase or so). I saw your comments about training on your own. Is there a way that I could contact you and learn ways to teach my dog?

[@mommabear2778]

❤❤I need a seizure dog 🐶

[@cheeseCheeseCHEESE22]

I have seizures, autism, and anxiety. I want to train my 1 year old dog to be my seizure alert dog and maybe have her trained with anxiety alert dog if that exists.

[@MissTrixie29]

Just because you have seizures, autism, anxiety and a dog doesn't mean your dog will be a good service dog. Even service dogs in training often fail in the final days because they aren't the bomb proof dog that is needed to be a service dog.

[@damnimloomin]

My mom has a boxer who can detect when im about to have a seizure and freaks out to try and warn me and her i wish there was more information on what to do so i can train him to better alert me/her when he sees it coming. I luckily have them pretty managed with my medication but still when they do happen im told they are very severe so it would be nice to know someone can let me know! I worry that i could choke when I have a seizure if i live alone but i dont qualify for a seizure dog :(

[@otorf9922]

So interesting how he naturally alerted, has any one started work on a breed that naturally alerts like a bird dog naturally points

[@doggydudekyle]

My service dog is actually a bird dog. So she was born to be a working dog. She began altering to my distressed behavior all on her own, I never task trained her to do that. She of course didn’t know what to do specifically but she knew she had to do something. Her attentive attitude definitely helps when it comes to task training. She also has alerted me at times I thought “I’m fine there’s no need to alert” and then soon after I have a seizure. She knows better than I do sometimes. Truly amazing dogs.

[@koipond393]

Hey! Super duper sorry if this is bothersome! but can you maybe link me any info for seizure alert dogs? I have epilepsy and since my seizures are on and off and I never get pre hourly symptoms of an upcoming one, it's a wild guess to when i would have another seizure. I also get some pretty bad anxiety/panic attacks. So if you could give me any info on seizure alert or aftercare dogs in NC, that would be great!!

[@benedictfishy1218]

I'm afraid I don't know any links to that sorta stuff, but I have the exact same things as you! Well, I have 2 overlapping seizure disorders, but I have anxiety with that as well. This isn't something I should be happy about, and I'm sorry that I am, but it just feels really good to know that I'm not alone with the things I go through. It can get pretty lonely when you don't know many (any) people with the same misfortune as you.

[@koipond393]

@@benedictfishy1218 Dont be sorry! it does feel great to know that someone is going through something similar to me. Just had an E.E.G last week so I'm waiting for those results to see how my absent seizures are doing with my new doses of meds. Hope things are going well for you!

[@UASCDR]

koipond æ I’ll be glad to help; I’ve trained four.

[@A_Wee_spook]

not bothersome at all!! I'm trying to get one too. here is the website for the Assistance Dogs International. they have links to many accredited service dog programs worldwide! plus this youtube channel belongs to little angels service dogs. the program that was the founder of seizure alert dogs here in the U.S. assistancedogsinternational.org/ I wish you the best in getting a service dog!

[@anakristine]

@@UASCDR please do let us know. I live in another country so.

[@komishouko-e6w]

I have epilepsy and am thinking about getting a service dog. I was just wondering, because I am a teen girl who goes on walks often, if someone came up to me and started to harass me, can I train the dog to intimidate or do something to stop the person?

[@mister3722]

What state in Oz are you in? I can recommend someone in NSW

[@bugbean5500]

A dog who shows any signs of aggression towards other animals or humans isn't a candidate for service dog work. In case of a medical emergency they need to be calm and friendly towards strangers to let paramedics, doctors etc. help you. That's why they aren't allowed to show any aggressive or protective behavior.

[@MirroringOurselves]

I have been training dogs for a while, but a friend of mine is wanting a seizure alert dog and wants to hire me because she knows me. but i've never worked with these types of service dogs. im confident in responses, but the alerts i need help with. i know these dogs need to have it naturally, but it'd be great for some advice in picking out a dog etc.

[@miki5748]

Bubbles and Doggo ok, so you need a dog that isn’t too stressed and scared. A good dog would be a golden retriever or Labrador. An audible alert would be a bark or two. A physical alert would be a paw to the leg, a nudge, etc. you’ll also need to play the games shown in the video. Hope this helps!

[@lillymartin5209]

We’re you are located and how do I contact you guys. Is amazing job. I’m in Tampa Florida and I’m looking for one dog to help me with my daughter. She just a baby 4 months and the seizures come more often at night time. I just need help with. W

[@jayshahulama9467]

Do you ship the dog to where the person lives?

[@paulv1973]

How does your epilepsy qualify for a seizure alert dog? I have only a few seizures a month. Looks like they are more for epileptics that have several seizures a day.

[@sukibennett6439]

Where can I get a service dog for epilepsy

[@devilonyourshoulder8845]

paulv1973 I believe it is 3-5 on average per month for most programs

[@od6rp3xv6q]

You will have to chose between a Seizure Alert Dog and Seizure Response Dog. Seizure Alert Dogs will alert you to upcoming seizures, and Seizure Response Dogs don't, they only respond. (Both are great) Most of the time, you must have a minimum of one epileptic seizure a month. Seizure Service Dogs are usually only for people with Tonic-Clonic Seizures, Atonic Seizures, Clonic Seizures, Or Tonic Seizures. A seizure such as a Absence Seizure, Focal Seizure, or Myoclonic Seizure does not usually qualify for a service dog. Hope this is useful!

[@melaniekelley2240]

I have service dog, this is my second and they have both been great and can tell before I go into seizure. But I have trouble with people thinking they need to pet her, and it says dog working, don't pet, does anyone have trouble with that?

[@MissTrixie29]

Apparently it's a common complaint. I've heard it from the few people I know who have service animals.

[@danielle.isabella]

There’s videos all over KZbin about handlers having these issues with people trying to pet their dogs or talk to them. Distracting a service dog is illegal and can mean life or death for the handler so don’t be afraid to correct them

[@terrymassie9796]

Wonder how expensive they are.

[@bb-em4th]

10,000. I just looked at their site.

[@mattiadizard7431]

Im training my own syncope alert dog shes a 5 month old pit bull

[@mbp_33]

c c Wow!! I guess that’s out of the question 😞

[@macadamiaowl9702]

25.000 - 45.000 $

[@UASCDR]

Terry Massie Train your own; Ive trained four. I can help.

[@patrickstuart2535]

I was wondering if since my Seizures Are under control would a Seizure dog still work for me

[@od6rp3xv6q]

You will have to chose between a Seizure Alert Dog and Seizure Response Dog. Seizure Alert Dogs will alert you to upcoming seizures, and Seizure Response Dogs don't, they only respond. (Both are great) Most of the time, you must have a minimum of one epileptic seizure a month. Seizure Service Dogs are usually only for people with Tonic-Clonic Seizures, Atonic Seizures, Clonic Seizures, Or Tonic Seizures. A seizure such as a Absence Seizure, Focal Seizure, or Myoclonic Seizure does not usually qualify for a service dog. Hope this is useful!

[@BxBxProductions]

great to have but not necessary. if you work with people with epilepsy, you can use seizure dogs to help you and them.

[@pilgrimsspiritualvoyage6252]

​@od6rp3xv6q Where do you get these rules from? Isn't this just for getting a seizure service dog from these organizations, such as Little Angels? There are no such requirements when it comes to the ADA laws, correct? I believe the OC is just talking about getting one in general, not just specifically a pre trained one from one of these organizations.

[@mcwaffles3269]

I have a pretty bad anxiety problem and was wondering if that I could get a service dog for that? I’ve had two anxiety/ panic attacks already and just want to know if it’s ok for me toget one? If I can’t figure it out here I will ask a professional lol

[@UASCDR]

William afton Absolutely you can. The federal government and state governments provide full authorization for such service dogs. I’ve trained four; the last is a 100 lb. American Bulldog. I’ll be glad to help. - Bryant

[@mcwaffles3269]

UASCDR thank you so much 😊

[@leonnasmith8724]

You'd need to talk to your doctor and figure out if youre considered disabled first and foremost. Then if and only if they say yes you would begin to weigh the pros and cons and decide if a service dog would truly help you or make your anxiety worse. After this if youre a minor speak to your parents if youre by yourself look into what path you want to take (program or owner training) then begin that process. You can get a dog for anxiety but you need to be considered disabled by your doctor and have rheir approval first

[@UASCDR]

@@leonnasmith8724 Nearly categorically untrue.

[@jeremystewert4303]

Pets for anxiety aren’t considered service animals. They aren’t protected by any service animal laws.

[@cemilawachtel2894]

What bread is he ?

[@lathafalls7675]

Hes a lab

[@justinjones1852]

Pumpernickel

[@benedictfishy1218]

He's a baguette

[@miki5748]

Whole grain

[@RoseMary-851]

Some dogs are born with these natural abilities and some just aren’t.

[@chanabayla1823]

As an epileptic and a volunteer for the epilepsy foundation any person or organization who says it can train a dog to predict is fake and should be reported. There is no way to train to alert period for epilepsy. We don't know what exactly it's alerting to. They are trained to respond and may develop that ability although that's not guaranteed. Scent training is not for epilepsy unless the person has another condition like diabetes where the only factor is a chemical change in the body. This organization should know that

[@kaze3487]

They're doing research with professionals to figure it out. So far they've learned that it's something in the lungs prior to certain types of seizures

[@roxannemiller1051]

I beg to differ on this note because when I have had seizures both granmal and code blue since I was a year &1/2 old and I actually DO smell an ODOR BEFORE I HAVE SEIZURES sometimes up to a couple hours earlier sometimes just a few minutes but I have a pitbull mix who is 4 months old and SHE CAN SMELL IT THE ODOR CHANGE she started doing it all on her own suddenly coming up to me and HOWLING softly when the smell would appear and sniffing around me. So now we are training her to also carry my medication in a service dog vest and push a life alert button when I have the actual seizure.

[@heathertyler5256]

This is not true, anyone who has seizures regularly can have a dog trained to detect them! I can’t smell anything when I have seizures but dogs can detect a smell for sure!!!

[@chanabayla1823]

@@heathertyler5256 I'm with the foundation. The dog is trained for response not alert. They may develop that over time depending on the breed and the bond with the owner and moreover, organizations like canine companions for independence as well as others will tell u the same thing. Yes, dogs have a better sense of smell and no doubt in many cases can do it but, it is not something that can be trained for as, science has determined that since there are many factors, things that happen in the body, prior to seizure we have no idea what they're specifically alerting to so can't be trained. If response starts showing, a reward technique is used with hopes they will develop the ability and if constantly rewarded they will want to find the seizure with the hope of getting that reward but it's not guaranteed. Specific scent training is used for conditions like diabetes where we know one main factor: a chemical change because of the insulin screw up, that causes the body, specifically the breath, to give off an odor. Dogs can pick up on the slight changes in smell that humans can't so they know if sugar is high or low. Thus can be scent trained

[@mikaelathompson]

I've come to not trust the epilepsy foundation considering they will go back on what they say. For example they say there is no such thing as seizure alert dogs yet they post a picture of a girl and her seizure alert and response service dog saying howuch it has helped her on Instagram. Seizures can cause chemical changes that dogs definitely can pick up. A dog's sense of smell is anywhere from one thousand times-ten thousand times better than a humans sense of smell. So dogs are very well capable of sensing a chemical change-that they've been trained to alert to-from a seizure.

[@mattiadizard7431]

Why take him from the diabetic person thats not fair

[@laddken]

(this is my guess as i have no correlation with little angels just a guy doing some research as i have epilepsy myself) but my guess is that because the person in prison can have a faster response time to medical services as there is usually medical assistance on site 24/7 for things like that, rather than someone like this girl where waiting on an ambulance could be the different of life and death, or severe brain damage. some time seizures can happen with in minutes and can last any where form seconds to min's. longer seizure run an extremely high risk of brain damage, longer than it could take for her parents to help her out or for a ambiance to arrive. seizures can come out of no where as well theres many different settings for seizures, most are not good in a general sense. My self, we havn't pinned why i get them, other than my brain sergery has possibly shown its true tonic-clonic seizures as there's now belief i was having atonic and a type of absence seizures were i would just blank stare prior to removing a golf ball size tumor. What im saying is not taking away anything from diabetic person as it can be very dangerous as well.

[@jojoorsmth]

Because they’re in prison and can’t have the dog there.

[@KeikoBushnell]

One second into this video and there’s a dog being hugged someone should be telling them that dogs hate being hugged they love to be loved but they hate hugs it’s threatening and if this is a training video I would think they would know that but let’s continue

[@servicegemsapphire4593]

... did you not see that wagging tail

[@abby4029]

@@servicegemsapphire4593 right....my dog loves being hugged lol

[@bookemchristy4706]

My Golden loves to be hugged. She will climb on me and put her head on my shoulder and hug and she'll keep doing that until I hug her back.

[@lyssagames4311]

My two dogs that legit jump up and put their front legs around my shoulders and press their faces to mine say not to take away their hugs, thanks

[@computershutoff13666]

20 grand for a service dog I'd much rather have a seizure

[@hanahc3525]

You’d pay the same for a wheelchair, or a hospital bill.

[@computershutoff13666]

@@hanahc3525 I don't pay anything for hospital bills the state does

[@bmarcy86]

the video tells you how to train a dog on your own. Go find a quality working dog breeder and you will have your alert dog with some training.

[@hanahc3525]

@@computershutoff13666 please tell me how you manage that because I’m $80,000 in debt due to hospital bills

[@computershutoff13666]

@@hanahc3525 state insurance

[@stevenharris6626]

I have had intractable partial seizures. Would the dog be able to be helpful for that? If so, can you take a preventative medicine like Ativan prior to a seizure??

[@Sharr.]

I have seizures and I’ve been thinking about getting a service dog for a while🥹