Seizure response dog
Encyclopedia
Seizure response dogs are a special type of service dog
, specifically trained to help someone who has epilepsy or a seizure disorder.
Due to the differing needs between each case, every potential seizure dog receives specialized training. Tasks for seizure dogs may include, but are not limited to:
Additionally, some dogs may develop the ability to sense an impending seizure. This behavior is usually reported to have arisen spontaneously and developed over a period of time. There have been some studies where dogs were trained to alert impending seizures by using reward-based conditioning – with partial success. Some untrained dogs may help their owners, although there are also reports of dogs that have reacted aggressively or even died as a result of witnessing or anticipating their owner's seizure.
Dogs that are and may become seizure response dogs must be absolutely perfect for the job, and must be capable of maintaining control in every possible situation. Because of the rarity of these certain traits and the difficulty in training seizure response dogs, only a few organizations provide them, though the number is rising.
Service dog
A service dog is a type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities including visual or hearing impairment, and also to help people with mental disabilities including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and severe depression...
, specifically trained to help someone who has epilepsy or a seizure disorder.
Due to the differing needs between each case, every potential seizure dog receives specialized training. Tasks for seizure dogs may include, but are not limited to:
- Summoning help, either by finding another person or activating a medical alert or pre-programmed phone
- Pulling potentially dangerous objects away from the person's body
- "Blocking" to keep individuals with absence seizureAbsence seizureAbsence seizures are one of several kinds of seizures. These seizures are sometimes referred to as petit mal seizures ....
s and complex partial seizures from walking into obstacles, streets, and other dangerous areas that can result in bodily injury or death - Attempting to arouse the unconscious handler during or after a seizure
- Providing physical support (and the secondary benefit of emotional support)
- Carrying information regarding the dog, the handler's medical condition, instructions for first responders emergency medication and oxygen
Additionally, some dogs may develop the ability to sense an impending seizure. This behavior is usually reported to have arisen spontaneously and developed over a period of time. There have been some studies where dogs were trained to alert impending seizures by using reward-based conditioning – with partial success. Some untrained dogs may help their owners, although there are also reports of dogs that have reacted aggressively or even died as a result of witnessing or anticipating their owner's seizure.
Dogs that are and may become seizure response dogs must be absolutely perfect for the job, and must be capable of maintaining control in every possible situation. Because of the rarity of these certain traits and the difficulty in training seizure response dogs, only a few organizations provide them, though the number is rising.
External links
- A cautionary article on Seizure Response Dogs by Epilepsy Foundation (Minnesota)
- Seizure-alert dogs National Geographic News article