A Seizure Alert Dog for Bailee
Bailee was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut-Syndrome at the end of Summer 2018 based on findings in the EEG study she underwent that July. Our world crashed and caved in around us. Bailee’s safety and our sense of providing her with security was ripped away. We were actually told to “expect the worst”. We never know when a seizure may strike, and we never know what presentation of seizure it may be. Bailee has been severely injured in the past by drop attacks in front of blunt objects, including splitting her forehead completely open in the bathtub. For all we know, we could also be missing seizures, or she could be seizing in the night without our knowledge. This is devastating to her brain development and potentially her overall quality of life. Bailee is currently on 3 different medications to control seizure activity. Medication has proven to help, but it is still constant trial and error based on her weight, fatigue, illnesses, overstimulation, and other unknown personal seizure activity triggers.
I have researched medical devices (bracelets, medical socks, etc.) to keep track of seizure activity. Not only are they pricey, but they are something that Bailee would never willingly wear which subsequently makes them not an option.
During my research I ran across another alternative- a Seizure-Alert Service dog. Seizure Alert Dogs are trained exactly for a specific individual with Epilepsy. There is a distinct scent in a person’s blood, saliva, and sweat released before, during, and after a seizure. A Seizure Alert dog can detect the scent released before a seizure is going to occur up to 45 minutes prior to the episode; giving the individual, parents, or an ambulance a chance to react, get to a safe place, administer a rescue medication to potentially avoid the seizure all together, and in our case, bring awareness to a seizure that may have gone completely missed. My biggest question was if the dog would be able to alert for multiple different types of seizures- that answer is yes. During training, these dogs were presented different samples that included different “types” of seizure activity, there was absolutely no discrimination in their alerting.
Can you imagine how life changing this would be for our family? The peace of mind it would give us as parents throughout the night or during the day when we are concerned about odd behaviors and we aren’t “sure” whether they are indicative of seizure activity or not. Bailee is non verbal- we only follow behaviors for clues of potential seizure activity. If we could be alerted to any and all seizure activity more accurately, then we could better adjust her medications for control, subsequently, a better quality of life.
It all sounds amazing, but there is a hefty price for all of the training, care, and socialization these amazing dogs are given. It saddened me to see how financially unobtainable a service dog can be for people that really could benefit. There aren’t many options for financial assistance and most health insurance companies (Bailee’s included) definitely do not financially help when applying for a service dog. Thousands of dollars must be paid up front just to sign a contract for the training and boarding of a dog. Most organizations simply advise fundraising or ‘GoFund Me’ if you can not “afford” a service dog up front (I don’t know many families that could, especially with a medically fragile child). I scoffed at the idea of asking people for handouts and I am truthfully a little embarrassed to have made this, but this isn’t for me. This is for our child. A good cause for something good for our child whom has been through hell and back in her short 4 1/2 years on Earth and has a long journey of battling Epilepsy her entire life. A sweet, furry companion that would love and comfort Bailee unconditionally may take a little bit of that sting away.
So, here I am swallowing my pride and asking for those that love or have been touched by Bailee to help us make a dream come true. If you have taken the time to read our story- thank you. Sharing our cause is extremely appreciated.
Check out the link below if you are interested in how Seizure Alert Dogs are trained:
