Genevieve's Seizure Assistance Dog
Genevieve was approved for a Seizure Assistance Dog through "Midwest Assistance Dogs"
At age 3 Genevieve was diagnosed with a complicated form of epilepsy known as "Refractory" or drug-resistant epilepsy. She has failed NINE different anti-seizure medications. At times, she would suffer as many as 10-15 seizures a day (most of them occuring at night during sleep). She is currently suffering 1-2 seizures each week despite taking multiple medications. Each seizure is now lasting 20+ minutes despite receiving a rescue medication to stop the seizure...we fear she is now becoming resistent to the rescue medication.
July 20, 2016 Genevieve had a surgical implantation of a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) which will serve as a pacemaker for her brain. It is our hope that the VNS will help control her seizures.
Early 2016, we applied for a Seizure Assistance Dog with and organization known as "Midwest Assistance Dogs" and Genevieve was approved as a candidate for a dog.
The cost to obtain and train a dog for Genevieve will be $6,000.
I chose Midwest Assistance Dogs for four reasons:
1. Their donation was the lowest at $6,000
2. They are willing to work with children.
3. They are located in South Bend Indiana which will make travel easier for us. We will go there for a few weeks when the dog is ready. We will then be trained on how to handle the dog. We will also return for a follow-up to ensure Genevieve is well prepared to handle the dog.
4. The person who trains the seizure alert dogs has epilepsy. She knows exactly how seizures feel. She knows epilepsy because she experienced it first hand in her childhood. She has extensive experience in training these dogs.
The dog will be trained and certified to perform a variety of behaviors including: summon for help by barking or other alerting behavior; remain next to the Genevieve and brace her during seizure; put its body in between Genevieve and the floor to break a fall at the inception of a seizure; retrieve a phone or medication pack, and emotional support all the time. This dog will sleep with Genevieve, and for the first time her life, she will be able to have her own bedroom (she has shared with me her whole life).
In many cases, Seizure Dogs develop the ability to predict and react in advance to an oncoming seizure once they have bonded to their recipient. They cannot train the dog for this part, but when the dog is re able to predict a seizure, they are never wrong. If Genevieve’s dog develops this ability (and most of the dogs do) it will allow her to get her magnet in time to activate her VNS and also time to sit or lay down, thereby avoiding injury from falls.
With humble gratitude...we reach out to our community via this "GoFundMe" and we ask if you might be able to help us meet our goal.
You can help us by:
1) buy a dog scarf for your dog!!! Please check our facebook page. $12 per scarf with all proceeds going to Midwest Assistance Dogs.
2) you can make a tax-deductible donation in Genevieve's name directly to Midwest Assistance Dogs. 100% of your donation will be applied to Genevieve's dog. They will provide you with the necessary receipts for your taxes.
To donate directly, please contact Mark Halasz
www.midwestassistancedogs.org
3) you can make a donation directly to our fundraising account:
First Community Bank of Galena
101 Exchange Street, Galena, IL 61036
Account Reference: Theresa Young Genevieve's Seizure Dog.
4) you can donate right here on this "GoFundMe" page. They will keep 10% of your donation for processing fees.
Any amount is graciously appreciated.
With much love,
Theresa and Geneveive Young