Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages. A publication in the “Journal of Personalized Medicine” from April 1st, 2023, says:

“It is estimated that about 70% of patients with epilepsy could be seizure-free if correctly diagnosed and treated. However, for patients with epilepsy, quality of life is influenced not only by seizure control but also by antiepileptic drug-adverse reactions, access to education, mood, employment, and transportation.”

When the risk of premature death in people with epilepsy is up to three times higher than for the general population, it is understandable that many individuals living with seizures may be interested in having a Seizure Response Dog to aid them. Unfortunately, training a seizure response service dog can be prohibitively expensive. Research shows that three-quarters of people with epilepsy live in low-income countries, and they do not get the treatment they need.

What Is A Seizure Dog?

We like the succinct description from the Epilepsy Foundation that reads: "They are an alarm system. They are helpers, protectors, and service providers." However, it is best that we expand on it. Seizure Service Dogs are medical support animals that are trained to do various tasks for their users. These dogs are typically adults (after completing training) with energy levels that have been carefully selected to fit the lifestyle of their users. Seizure service dogs are trained in tandem with their users, and their training can take anywhere between 6 months to 2 years.

Seizure dogs are expected to have a reliable physical constitution, be dedicated, respond to commands reliably, and have an even temperament. Any dog that is being considered for service dog training is usually assessed via the Puppy Temperament Testing method. Service dog candidates need to master basic obedience before moving to specialized task training. If your paw friend is still a puppy, make sure they are fully potty trained and understand basic skills, including impulse control, before progressing further with training. Furthermore, training is personalized to suit the individual’s specific needs and living circumstances.  Service dogs should be calm, friendly, and people-oriented, and able to remain calm regardless of the surroundings. Their skills can be life-saving, especially when the assistance of third parties, such as first-responders, medical professionals, caretakers, and nurses around them during and after a seizure is required.

What Are Seizure Response Dogs Trained to Do?

Here is a brief list of what these amazing dogs can be trained to do:

1. Some dogs are trained to bark or otherwise alert families and passersby when their user has a seizure. This can be a vital skill in alerting others when their paired user is playing outside, walking on the street, doing housework, or another activity at home unsupervised, and they experience a seizure.
2. Some dogs can be trained to lie down next to someone having a seizure to prevent injury during an episode.
3. Some dogs can be trained to put their body between the seizing individual and the floor to break the fall if they have an episode.
4. Some dogs can be trained to retrieve a phone and bring it to the seizing individual.
5. Some dogs are trained to activate some kind of pre-programmed device that alerts medical personnel, caretakers, and family that a seizing individual is experiencing an episode.

Some assistive devices can be a button placed on the ground or attached to the wall in an easily accessible place for the dog that sends an electronic notification to medical workers, family, and caretakers. Other devices can be alarms that feature a cord that the dogs can pull and trigger a distinct sound alerting to a medical emergency. These assistive technologies are often connected to smart home devices and caregiver networks.

Who Qualifies for a Seizure Response Dog?

Different programs and trainers may have different intake specifications. Many organizations agree on the following requirements to be reasonable:

1. The service dog user must be 14 years or older.
2. The user must have a minimum of one seizure per month.
3. The handler has to be physically and cognitively capable of participating in the ongoing training process.
4. The user has to be able to independently command and handle their seizure response dog.
5. The caregivers and handlers for the dog must be able to meet the emotional, physical, and financial needs of their seizure response dog;
6. The caregivers, handlers, and the user of the dog must be in a stable home environment.

It is vital to remember that having a service dog is a legal, moral, and financial commitment for the life of the dog. Service dog handlers must be consistent in their behavior and commands to the dog. Family members and caregivers who live with or are in close contact with the service dog user must treat the dog as a working animal, not as a pet. Ongoing training and behavior reinforcement are necessary if you expect your seizure response dog to have excellent manners and skills.

Can Seizure Response Dogs Help With Monitoring and Preventing Seizures?

The presence of a service dog may reduce stress and anxiety, which can help stabilize seizure frequency for many individuals. Their loyalty and loving nature can help many people with stress-related seizures have a more relaxed quality of life and an easier time during seizure episodes. However, we want to point out that seizure response dogs are not substitutes for medical devices for day and nighttime supervision or other physician-directed monitoring. There is no affirmative evidence that seizure response dogs reduce the risk of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy).

A report in the “European Journal of Epilepsy” Volume 21, Issue 8, from October 2012 says:

“Companion animals can buffer reactivity against acute stress, diminish stress perception, and improve physical health. These factors may reduce cardiac arrhythmias and seizure frequency, factors related to SUDEP. Companion animals may have a positive effect on well-being, thus improving epilepsy outcome.”

Note: The paper references pets alone.

The “Epilepsy & Behavior” journal, Volume 13, Issue 3p499-504 from October 2008, features a study called “Seizure response dogs: Evaluation of a formal training program”. The study points out that the presence of a seizure service dog could affect seizure frequency and severity. The results show that 45% of patients reported an improvement. The “Effect of trained Seizure Alert Dogs on frequency of tonic-clonic seizures” study published by Elsevier Science Ltd on September 11th, 2022, speaks about 10 patients in whom tonic-clonic seizures (a type of generalized seizure involving a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions) were monitored over a 48-week period, and there was a 24-week follow-up. They noted that there was an average reduction of seizures by 43% for patients who were living with seizure service dogs.

Seizure response dogs offer critical support that may reduce the risk of SUDEP indirectly. However, they should be part of a broader epilepsy management plan that includes medication, monitoring, and medical guidance. If you would like to explore the topic further, we recommend starting from the PLOS ONE Journal and the meta-study titled “Dog alerting and/or responding to epileptic seizures: A scoping review” from December 2018.