Seizure Dogs
 
If you have a visual impairment, the use of a guide dog is pretty much the norm. But a small charity in Sheffield, England, Support Dogs has recently begun to train dogs to help people with epilepsy. Gillian McClusky is 39. She’s had seizures since she was a tiny baby, with medication having little or no effect. She experienced several attacks a day – until Harvey – a small jet black mongrel with a white moustache – came into her life. Felicity Finch went to Dorking in Surrey to meet Harvey and Gillian.
Further Information: Support Dogs, The John Fisher Centre, Trianco House, Thorncliffe Park Estate, Chapletown, Sheffield S35 2PH. Training Centre: 0114 257 7997 Support Dogs website. The BBC audio clip is at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/2003_03_mon_03.shtml.
By Linda Wilson Fuoco – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Farley Schlass became a first-time dog owner in February, just before 
her 51st birthday. Mazen, a golden retriever, was gentle and affectionate from day one. But on day two, for no apparent reason, he began exhibiting rather odd behavior.
Several minutes later, she had a seizure.
Schlass has been having frequent seizures since November 1993, when she suffered severe head trauma in a car accident.
In the past four months, Schlass has had a seizure every seven to 10 days and Mazen has “alerted” every time. Schlass has seven to 15 minutes to get to a safe and private place where she can lie down to avoid bone breaks or other injuries. If she is in her bedroom or office when a seizure occurs, Mazen pushes a “panic button” to summon paramedics.
Certified assistance dog, Fawn, gives money for ice cream to Heidi Marie at Kip’s Ice Cream in Moon.
“Before Mazen, I had maybe 15 seconds advance warning.”
Mazen arrived in her Marshall home fully grown, already named and fully trained by Paws With A Cause. The Wayland, Mich.-based nonprofit trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities. The people who raised and trained him named him Mazen, which is short for Amazing.
“Mazen gave me back my life,” Schlass said with a touch of awe. Read the rest of the story…Â
Heroic and loyal dogs
 Dianne and Jago
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A Warwickshire, England Super Dog - Dianne Dodge has been partnered with her dog, a golden retriever called Jago, for the past four years after first ringing up Dogs for the Disabled in 1999 to enquire about obtaining a trained working dog.
As every disabled person has different needs Dianne, who lives in Alcester, felt quite privileged to receive Jago within six months of applying for him.
A super dog
Jago fetches the post for Dianne, retrieves anything she drops, fetches the phone, empties the washing machine and even speaks on command to alert attention.
Dianne, now a spokesperson for Dogs for the disabled, admits life would be very lonely without Jago.
She said: “I say lonely. My husband’s here. But the presence of a dog – I just can’t imagine life without a dog. He is unquestioning, he’s with me all the time.�
“He’s an extension of myself. He helps me to do the things I can no longer do.�
Dianne feels that Jago helps her to continue doing the things a normal person can do. He is also an important member of Dianne’s family.
Dogs trained by Dogs for the Disabled are able to carry out a number of tasks. They can open and close doors, bark to raise the alarm in an emergency.
They can even help a person dress and undress!
The breeds trained are Labradors and golden retrievers that are either bought or donated. For the past couple of years the charity has begun its own breeding program.
Between eight weeks and a years dogs are looked after by volunteers before embarking on a six to eight month training programme.
Partnerships between the dogs and those they’re helping to look after really do make a difference. Research carried out by June McNicholas a health psychologist at Warwick University found that the dogs not only provide practical help but also offer social, psychological and physical benefits.
Dogs for the Disabled
Dogs trained by Dogs for the Disabled are able to carry out a number of tasks. They can open and close doors, bark to raise the alarm in an emergency.
They can even help a person dress and undress!
The breeds trained are Labradors and golden retrievers that are either bought or donated. For the past couple of years the charity has begun its own breeding programme.
Between eight weeks and a years dogs are looked after by volunteers before embarking on a six to eight month training programme.
Partnerships between the dogs and those they’re helping to look after really do make a difference. Rresearch carried out by June McNicholas a health psychologist at Warwick University found that the dogs not only provide practical help but also offer social, psychological and physical benefits.
Dianne with Jago
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Canine Partners for Life
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Your doing a good job!
Hey my sister donated a puppy to canines with a cause and now he’s a Certified Mobility Assistance Dog, his names beau. It’s amazing what dogs can be trained to do.
I am a social worker with United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Pennsylvania’s Early Intervention Program. I am currently working with a famiy who’s 11 month old boy was just diagnosed with Epilepsy. The family has a labrador retriever whom they would like to have trained as an epilepsy seizure alert dog. I am having difficulty finding someone to train their dog and the family to recognize the dog’s alerts. Can you help me find a resource to help this family. They are financially limited but want to do everything they possibly can for their son.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kelly Fagan-Dyer
Is it possible that the dog is already recognizing the seizures and the family needs to learn how to understand what she is telling them?
Any help would be greatly and sincerely appreciated.