Charity Reg. No. 1088281

I have had epilepsy for 44 years and the medical profession have been unsuccessful in finding a method of controlling my seizures. Seventeen years ago I was told that I had another medical condition, which increased the frequency of my attacks. 

In 1996 I was living in South Africa when I heard about Seizure Alert Dogs®. I knew I could only be assessed for the training programme if I lived in England. When my husband died, I returned to England to live and contacted Support Dogs Charity. After completing and returning the application form, assessments and medical reports they told me that I might be a suitable candidate. Soon afterwards, Support Dogs telephoned to say that they had a small black dog named Harvey and would I be interested? I could hardly believe it!

Harvey & I bonded straight away – I knew we were meant for one another. He wasn’t a fancy breed; in fact he had been selected from a rescue centre. We underwent a total of six weeks intensive training and eight months later, Harvey qualified as a Seizure Alert Dog®. 

Since then, having him as an ‘early warning system’ has almost reduced my seizure frequency to nil except when my other medical condition flares up. Also, I have regained my self-confidence and live a much better quality of life. Harvey knows before I am going to have a seizure and he looks after me. My doctor is now reducing my medication because she believes Harvey is my remedy. 

Where I go, Harvey goes! I can’t imagine what life would be like without him. He’s my best friend and my life has taken on a new meaning with him by my side.