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Epilepsy
is the most common neurological illness with over 450,000 cases in the UK
alone.
Only 70% of cases are controlled by drugs, leaving the remaining 30%
living with the fear of an attack that can strike at any time without
warning.
Imagine not being able to prepare or cook a meal, or being unable to take
a bath without supervision. These are just some of the restrictions that
are placed on people with uncontrolled epilepsy.
A Seizure Alert Dog enables a person to live as full a life as possible
by warning up to 45 minutes prior to an attack, enabling their owner to
find a place of safety.
Support Dogs is the only organisation in the United Kingdom to train
Seizure Alert Dogs.
Guidelines For Applicants
Applicants should bear in mind the
following guidelines:
You should have a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy.
You should have at least 10 major seizures per month.
Major seizures are defined as tonic clonic/atonic or complex
partials-not including sleep seizures.
You should keep accurate seizure diaries.
You must be over the age of 16.
You should have a carer available.
You should have adequate daily support at home to ensure the
dog’s needs can be met at all times.
You should not have any changes to drug therapy or medication 6
months prior to applying and throughout the assessment training
period.
It is not always possible to place a Seizure Alert Dog in a
home where there is already a pet dog.
All applicants will be considered regardless of race, sex,
religion, creed, age or any other categories protected by
law.
YOU CANNOT HAVE YOUR OWN PET DOG TRAINED
You should genuinely enjoy the close companionship of a dog and
want to form a working relationship with one and able to care for a
dog adequately.
It is not always possible to train a Seizure Alert Dog to alert
if the applicant has a vagel nerve stimulator.
It is not possible to train a Seizure Alert Dog to alert if the
applicant has non-epileptic/pseudo seizures.
A medical report will be obtained from your
GP/hospital consultant. NB: Support Dogs will not cover the cost if
any charge is incurred for obtaining these reports. |
