By: Hiya Shah
Seizure Dogs
Introduction
A seizure dog, as described by The Epilepsy Foundation (2019), is “a dog that has been trained (or has learned) to respond to a seizure in someone who has epilepsy”. They are a type of service animal (Catala et al., 2018).
There are various types of seizure dogs:
- A seizure response dog (SRD) or seizure detection dog (SDD) can detect a seizure as it occurs and is trained specifically to perform behaviours during or after the occurrence (Kiriakopoulos, 2019; Luff et al., 2024). What behaviour a dog performs depends on their training. For example, the response dog can be trained to either retrieve others or to take safety measures.
- There also exist seizure alert or seizure-predicting dogs (SADs) who can actually detect seizures in the owners before they take place and perform specific actions to alert them, such that they can take preparatory or preventive measures.
It is notable that untrained dogs that have been living with people with epilepsy have also been recorded to detect, alert and respond to seizures in their owners, suggested by studies to be innate (Luff et al., 2024; Dalziel et al., 2003).
Photo Credit: American Academy of Neurology
The Importance and Impact
Seizure dogs have been found to reduce the frequency of seizures and improve the quality of life in people with epilepsy by providing comfort and more (Van Hezik-Wester et al., 2024). This is depicted by the following infographic by Neurology, specifically depicting People with Severe Medically Refractory Epilepsy (PSRE) and Drug Resistant Epilepsy (DRE). This is depicted by the following infographic by Neurology, specifically depicting People with Severe Medically Refractory Epilepsy (PSRE) and Drug Resistant Epilepsy (DRE). It is important to note that while many studies allude to this result, the methodology is deemed poor and there is a call for more research in the area (Catala et al., 2018). Regardless, in addition to the several reports of SADs detecting an oncoming seizure, the ability for untrained dogs to detect seizures and provide comfort or protection during or after the event is promising (Luff et al., 2024).
Getting the Title
Both dogs and training methods vary when it comes to seizure dogs. SADs differ in size and breed, and training methods are dependent on the programs (Catala et al., 2018). An unfortunate reality is that the training is intensive, and the cost to train according to (Seizure-Alert Dog Facts, n.d.) is between $10,000 to $25,000. As a result of the lack of regulation, the criteria are based on the organization and vary.
An innate ability to alert and/or respond to seizures has been hypothesized. SADs may try to grab attention, nurture, or protect intuitively (Dalziel et al., 2003). The dog may remain with the person until the end of the occurrence as well.
The explanation behind these behaviours, though once attributed to aura, has other explanations now as well (Catala et al., 2018). A dog’s smell abilities, much more sensitive than those of humans, may play a role. Specifically, through their detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a dog is able to detect a difference in the sweat during an epileptic seizure versus a non-epileptic seizure. This ability to detect present and imminent seizures has been recorded in both trained and untrained dogs. Once again, readers are advised to take this with a grain of salt as inconsistencies in evidence for various studies make for less convincing results (Luff et al., 2024).
Luff et al. (2024) discuss how “seizure alerting behaviours may develop spontaneously in dogs living with adults with epilepsy.” Specifically, out of 29 patients each with an untrained dog, 9 dogs responded to a seizure with comforting behaviour. The behaviour included staying beside the patient at the time of the seizure, licking their face or hands, etc. Out of the same 9, 3 of the dogs alerted them to the coming seizure by whining, barking anxiously, pacing around the patient or staring intensely. These behaviours are catered to and differ based on the owner’s expectations about the type of seizure.
Resources
The Epilepsy Foundation has a list of resources that you can access. You can tailor the search to your location to find locations near you: https://www.icarol.info/Search.aspx?org=72318&Page=1&Count=15&Search=seizure+dogs&NameOnly=False&pst=Coverage&sort=Proximity&TaxExact=False&Country=-1
In general, using your preferred search engine to search “getting a seizure dog” along with your province/state may also provide you with viable options.
As a final note, a consensus emerged that more scientifically robust research is needed to gauge the true impact and function behind the behaviour of these beloved companions!
References
Catala, A., Cousillas, H., Hausberger, M., & Grandgeorge, M. (2018). Dog alerting and/or responding to epileptic seizures: A scoping review. PLOS ONE, 13(12), e0208280. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208280
Dalziel, D. J., Uthman, B. M., Mcgorray, S. P., & Reep, R. L. (2003). Seizure-alert dogs: A review and preliminary study. Seizure, 12(2), 115–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/S105913110200225X
Kiriakopoulos, E. (2019, April 7). Seizure Dogs. Epilepsy Foundation. https://www.epilepsy.com/recognition/seizure-dogs
Luff, G. C., Belluomo, I., Lugarà, E., & Walker, M. C. (2024). The role of trained and untrained dogs in the detection and warning of seizures. Epilepsy & Behavior, 150, 109563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109563
Seizure-Alert Dog Facts. (n.d.). Epilepsy Foundation. Retrieved https://www.epilepsy.com/stories/seizure-alert-dog-facts
Van Hezik-Wester, V., De Groot, S., Kanters, T., Wagner, L., Ardesch, J., Brouwer, W., Corro Ramos, I., Le Cessie, S., Versteegh, M., Van Exel, J., & for the EPISODE team. (2024). Effectiveness of seizure dogs for people with severe refractory epilepsy: Results from the episode study. Neurology, 102(6), e209178. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000209178
