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Jennifer Cattet

What do seizure alert dogs do?

Updated: May 24



A woman and her seizure alert dog

Seizure alert dogs play a crucial role in the lives of individuals living with epilepsy. Trained to detect the scent associated with seizures, seizure alert dogs provide invaluable support and assistance before, during, and right after a seizure. Medical Mutts has been at the forefront of this field, collaborating in groundbreaking research that has shed light on the existence of a distinct seizure scent. You can read that study here.

 

Detecting the Scent: Seizure alert dogs are trained to recognize the unique scent associated with epileptic seizures. This allows individuals to know that a seizure is about to happen, something that no medical device can do at this time. Epileptic patients face risks in everyday tasks, such as cooking, navigating stairs, or crossing streets. A well-trained seizure alert dog becomes an invaluable partner, helping their person get to a safe place before the seizure occurs.

 

How they alert: Dogs can learn to associate the smell with a specific behavior. Some programs leave it to the dog to pick how they will naturally alert: barking, pawing, licking, etc. At Medical Mutts, however, the seizure alert dogs learn a unique trained behavior as the alert behavior, providing discreet and effective notifications: several strong nose pokes.

 

Assisting During Seizures: The seizure alert dogs also offer assistance during a seizure. They can fetch medication, press an alert button to get help from a relative, or call 911. They can lie down on or beside the person to prevent injuries and provide a sense of security, or even retrieve a magnet for a vagus nerve stimulator – these seizure alert dogs play a crucial role in ensuring their handler's safety and well-being. Additionally, some seizure alert dogs are trained to prevent their handlers from crossing streets or engaging in potentially dangerous activities during a seizure.

 

After a seizure: Seizure alert dogs can offer crucial assistance during the recovery stage. They can help their handlers get up safely, comfort their person, and even assist with balance issues.


Individualized Support: Seizure alert dogs are adaptable and can be trained to meet the unique needs of each individual. Some people might require assistance with balance, while others may need help with post-seizure tasks like getting up, taking medication, or getting a drink.

 

Everybody's needs are different, so the seizure alert dogs aren't a one-size-fits-all solution. The frequency and severity of seizures, along with individual requirements, are evaluated before deciding if a service dog is a good fit. However, for countless individuals, seizure alert dogs are far more than just companions; they are indispensable family members, offering safety, reassurance, and unwavering support during life's most challenging moments.

 

“Medical mutts has been a wonderful experience and has changed my life for the better. Dublin my now fully trained epilepsy service dog has given me my life back because of medical mutts and their wonderful trainers and staff. I highly recommend them to anyone asking for help when needing a service dog!


Seizure alert dogs represent a beacon of hope and support for those living with epilepsy, offering comfort, safety, and unwavering companionship in times of need.

 

For more information about Medical Mutts seizure alert dogs, visit: https://www.medicalmutts.org/our-service-dogs/seizure-alert-dogs

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