Seizure Alert Dog for Charlie

Initially we thought that Charlie's epilepsy could be managed with medication alone; however, after a few years of treatment, we have learned that he has intractable epilepsy, and his condition cannot be controlled solely with medication.  He has been on the ketogenic diet since March of 2017.  The diet seemed to reduce the number and duration of his seizures initially, but after 6 months of being on the diet, his neurological team decided to implant the vagus nerve stimulator and phase out the diet.  Currently, we are taking Charlie to Children's Mercy for weekly appointments to adjust the VNS.  Despite these adjustments and medications, Charlie continues to experience 3 to 6 seizures per day. In addition, Charlie has a sleep apnea diagnosis and sleeps using a bipap machine.  Due to his sleep apnea, he has multiple appointments in the sleep study clinic and has already had 3 sleep studies.  He also sees a pulmonary specialist due to asthma.  Additionally, Charlie has a platelet dysfunction disorder, which requires a platelet transfusion in the hematology department before any surgical procedure.  He also sees an ENT specialist, as well as his neurologist. A seizure response dog would help provide independence, comfort, and reduce anxiety for Charlie in his daily routines either at home or school when seizures occur.