Seizure alert dogs enhance the lives of people with epilepsy through their instinctive ability to alert their owners to seizures. Jodie Kirkovich noticed that her black Labrador retriever, Ruby, was slightly agitated. However, when the dog jumped on her and began licking her face, Jodie knew that Ruby was trying to convey something much more urgent than affection.

Ruby was alerting Kirkovich, 53, who suffers from epilepsy, that she was about to have a seizure.

Because of Ruby's warning, Jodie was able to get to a pre-arranged "safe room'' where she works at the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles and endure the seizure. As a precaution by her employer, Jodie used to have to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance if she would have a seizure at work. But that was before Ruby.

"No more ambulance rides,'' said Kirkovich, her voice cracking with emotion. "She just means so much to me. Ruby has given me so much more independence that I would have never had.''

During a seizure, Ruby continues to assist Jodie by pinning her down until the danger subsides.

"Sometimes I will try to get up before the seizure is over,'' she said. "Ruby knows though when it's safe. She will hold me down and will absolutely not let me get up until it's over. She is my guardian angel here on earth.''

Enhancing lives

"Seizure alert dogs'' like Ruby are enhancing the lives of people with epilepsy through their instinctive ability to alert their owners to seizures.

"It's not something we can train a dog to do,'' said Jennifer Kriesel of Canine Partners for Life, a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs for people with disabilities. "It's an innate ability that they have.''

The organization determines which dogs are capable of alerting by placing them among people with various disabilities at its Cochranville, Penn., campus. The animals that display the ability to alert are then transitioned to owners who are trained to recognize the warning signs that their dogs display.

Changing perceptions

Although there is no scientific proof that these dogs can sense ailments in people, the anecdotal evidence is undeniable.

"There has been a reluctance in the medical community to acknowledge this behavior in animals, but I think that is changing,'' said Dr. Robert Mittan, an expert on epilepsy education. "Dogs that sense cancer are being researched now.''

Mittan witnessed the phenomenon firsthand while lecturing at an epilepsy education seminar in Charlotte, N.C.

During the seminar, a poodle named Abbey accurately alerted four people in the audience to their oncoming seizures. Abbey was in attendance with her owner, Kelly Williams, 29, who was surprised to learn that Abbey's alerting abilities extended to strangers as well.

Beyond epilepsy

And yes, some seizure alert dogs can even sense and predict ailments and episodes in people with diseases other than epilepsy.

Marty Harris, 37, suffers from "vasovagal syncope,'' a rare heart condition that causes her to lose consciousness during an episode. Her frustration with the disease reached a critical juncture when she passed out at her son's preschool in front of 30 horrified children.

"I felt helpless and scared to do anything,'' she said. "I would pass out in the grocery store and have to be taken away in an ambulance.''

After Harris' cardiologist informed her that every medical option had been exhausted in trying to deal with the disease, Harris contacted Canine Partners for Life as a last resort.

Adele, a Labrador retriever who was already alerting to epileptic seizures, was placed with Harris in hopes that she could warn her of oncoming cardiac episodes. The pairing has been a success for two years now.

In anticipation of an episode, Adele will simply stop Harris and block her from moving when the two are walking. Harris is also alerted when Adele sits across her legs in a defensive position. Adele's warnings now allow Harris to lie down in a secure place until the episode is over. Before getting Adele, Harris would suffer sprains, severe bruises and even concussions from passing out in dangerous settings.

Like Ruby, Adele also assists during the actual episode. Sometimes she will even break Harris' fall and lower her to the ground if she is in an unsafe place.

Detecting other diseases

Harris accidentally discovered that Adele can also alert to a third disease. While in the restroom at Fenway Park during a Red Sox game, Adele nudged her owner and then made a pointing motion with her body at another woman in the room. Adele then placed her head on the stranger's leg and would not move.

An apologetic Harris offered an explanation and inquired if the woman had epilepsy or a heart ailment. She said "No, but I do have diabetes.'' After being urged by friends to check her blood levels, she declared that they were "off the charts.''

Animal instinct has been a harbinger to all types of danger for people, including earthquakes and tsunamis. But seizure alert dogs are changing the lives of people with disabilities on a daily basis.

Whether it is a sense of smell, a heat change that only animals can pick up, or just a natural instinct that enables these dogs to alert to various diseases, the reasons "why'' mean little to the people who are benefiting from these remarkable animals.

"Having Adele means that I can do anything or go anywhere I want,'' Harris said. "My son doesn't have to worry about me anymore. He knows Mommy is with Adele.''

Reviewed by Amy I. Attas, V.M.D.

Comments

Disclaimer: If you believe your pet is suffering from a health-related problem or if symptoms are recurring, please contact your veterinarian immediately. The comments and other content in this portion of the WebVet Site are submitted by WebVet Site users and visitors and are not generated, edited or reviewed by WebVet. WebVet disclaims all responsibility and liability for this content. Please refer to the Terms of Service, Posting and Submission of Material by Users, for the terms and conditions applicable to user generated content.

Sign in or register to leave a comment