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The
idea of a dog, which can be trained to warn someone who
has epilepsy when they are about to have a seizure, may
sound incredible, but reality is proving a lifeline for
people who have epilepsy. Sally Burton's story began
when she was ten years old and was diagnosed with
epilepsy.
She applied for a Seizure Alert DogŪ
after seeing one in action during a British Epilepsy
Association open day at the Support Dog Centre. Later
Sally was matched with Star.A Seizure Alert DogŪ
is trained to recognize the signs that indicate his/her
owner is about to have a seizure, giving him or her time
to find a safe, quiet place before the seizure
occurs. |
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Any type of dog with the right
temperament who receives specialist training can be
trained as a Seizure Alert DogŪ, and most are chosen
from Rescue Centres. The dogs need to be
people-orientated dogs.
Sally says 'When I was at
the BEA open day here at the Centre a lady had a
seizure. The dog alerted her and she was able to go off
into a quiet room. I was really impressed, so I filled
out a form straight away.'
'Since I got Star, my
life has changed 100 per cent. I don't have to worry
about when I might have a seizure. Before Star I used to
sit at home or if I went out anywhere someone else had
to come with me. The other week I went into town for the
first time on my own. I went into this shop and Star
started barking. I knew I had a little bit of time but
she kept barking. In the end I went up to the desk,
explained the situation, and they got me a chair and put
my shopping behind the counter'.
'I don't know
what it is that Star picks up on, I haven't got a clue
what the signs are just before I have a seizure, but
Star knows.'
'It was like the other day when I
was cooking dinner for my husband and Star started
barking at me. I knew I had about half an hour but Star
wouldn't let me carry on and started tugging at my
trousers. In the end I had to just turn everything off
and then go lie down. Star insisted'. |
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