Charity Reg. No. 1088281

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 (eg barking or pawing) if a seixure is predicted.

The mechanism/s underlying the ability of dogs to anticipate seizures in humans is still unknown and warrents investigation. However, observations of dogs by trainers and surveys of alert dog oweners 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, resppiratory signs and perspiration might aslo be monitored by dogs using visual, auditory or olfactory senses.

While seizure-detection dogs hold enormous potential for those with epilespsy, 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 seixures, 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

 

Dogs have been widely employed as assistancts 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 provison of a carefuly matched and trained assistance animal. More recently, dogs have been trained, both in the UK and further afield, to provide assistance to people with other types of disability including for example, hearing difficulties (eg Hearing Dogs for Deaf People), mobility problems, (eg Dogs for the Disabled) and epilepsy (eg Support Dogs).

In addition to achieving the goal for which they were purposely trained (ie 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 methodolocial limitations of studies with assistance dogs have been voiced). Such animals can dramatically decrease the feelings of isolation that many with pyhsical disabilities are prone to, and help to improve social confidence, self-esteem, independance 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 accompanieed 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 seperation anxiety (eg vocalisation and destructiveness) in at least 21% of guide dogs seperated 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