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Seizure Detection
Evidence now suggests that certain dogs may be
able to sense spontaneously oncoming epileptic seizures in
humans.
Until recently, the notion that dogs could detect
human seizures was based on little other than anecdotal report, and
attempts to assess the validity of claims that dogs have innate
seizure-alerting powers were relatively inconclusive. However recent
work has shown that some dogs can indeed detect oncoming seizures,
and moreover, that many animals can be successfully trained to
monitor their human owners for outward signs of an imminent seizure
and to react in an appropriate manner (e.g. barking or pawing) if a
seizure is predicted.
The mechanism/s underlying the ability
of dogs to anticipate seizures in humans is still unknown and
warrants investigation. However, observations of dogs by trainers
and surveys of alert dog owners suggests that seizure alerting is
primarily based on visual cues such as facial expressions, postures
and general behaviour as opposed to, for example, olfactory or
auditory cues. That said, it is possible that other physiological
cues such as muscle tension, respiratory signs and perspiration
might also be monitored by dogs using visual, auditory or olfactory
senses.
While seizure-detection dogs hold enormous potential
for those with epilepsy, the danger of using untrained animals as
alert systems has been highlighted. Moreover, it has been suggested
that while every dog may be able to detect seizures, not all animals
respond appropriately to oncoming seizures, and hence careful
selection and training is important.
Deborah L
Wells
Canine Behaviour Centre
School of
Psychology
Queens University, Belfast, UK
Published in
the British Journal of Psychology
(2007)
www.bpsjournals.co.uk
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Dogs for the Disabled
Dogs have been widely employed as assistants for the disabled
for numerous years. Perhaps the best known type of assistance dog is the
Guide Dog for the Blind. First established in 1931, the British Guide Dog
Association has managed to help over 21,000 blind and partially sighted
people through the provision of a carefully matched and trained assistance
animal. More recently, dogs have been trained, both in the UK and further
field, to provide assistance to people with other types of disability
including for example, hearing difficulties (e.g. Hearing Dogs for Deaf
People), mobility problems, (e.g. Dogs for the Disabled) and epilepsy
(e.g. Support Dogs).
In addition to achieving the goal for which they were purposely trained
(i.e. to enhance the physical capabilities of their owners), assistance
dogs have been shown to contribute significantly to the psychological
well-being of their owners (although some concerns regarding the
methodological limitations of studies with assistance dogs have been
voiced). Such animals can dramatically decrease the feelings of isolation
that many with physical disabilities are prone to, and help to improve
social confidence, self-esteem, independence and social identity.
Assistance dogs can also act as strong social catalysts, helping to
normalize relationships with other people. Hart & colleagues (1987), for
example, reported that wheelchair users received a median of eight
friendly approaches from unfamiliar adults per shopping trip when they
were accompanied by their service dog, but typically only one friendly
approach if the animal was not present. Similar findings have been
reported by others.
It must be noted that assistance dogs are not without their complications.
Owners of such animals have reported a variety of drawbacks including
unwanted interference from members of the public, time and financial
pressures and travel complications. The death of an assistance animal, or
termination of an assistance partnership, can also present problems,
particularly given the close bond of attachment that can develop between
many owners and their service animals. Over attachments can also present
problems for the animals themselves. Scott & Beifelt (1976) for example
noted signs symptomatic of separation anxiety (e.g. vocalisation and
destructiveness) in at least 21% of guide dogs separated from their
owners. More recently, Davis & associates, (2004) reported behaviour
problems as the greatest burden to assistance dog placements in the
paediatric population. Concerns regarding the physical welfare of
assistance dogs have also been voiced. Raising owner awareness and
expectations prior to animal placements, in addition, to post homing check
ups may be the most useful strategies for overcoming these types of
problems.
Deborah L Wells
Canine Behaviour Centre
School of Psychology
Queens University, Belfast, UK
Published in the British Journal of Psychology (2007)
www.bpsjournals.co.uk
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