Epilepsy
A service dog that helps individuals with epilepsy is called a seizure dog. These dogs have received training on how to respond to seizures in epilepsy patients. The exact ways the dogs respond will vary depending on the person, their medical needs, and the type of seizures they usually have. Like all service animals, seizure dogs are protected by federal law in the United States, so they can be brought into public places. A service dog can bark and alert an individual’s caregivers when they’re having a seizure, activate an alarm, or move in a way that protects the person who is seizing. One way dogs provide protection is by lying next to the individual seizing to prevent them from injuring themselves. Some dogs can even be trained to move between the person and the floor to break their fall when they begin to seize, further helping to prevent injury. Certain dogs might be trained to use pre-programmed alarm devices by pushing buttons. It’s important to note seizure dogs don’t replace medical advice.
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