Service dogs trained to help epilepsy patients

Man’s best friend has taken on a whole new meaning. For people with epilepsy, specially trained seizure response dogs offer more than 24-hour companionship. The dogs may actually help people regain their independence and a renewed sense of confidence.

Following training of more than 90 general commands like picking up medicine and opening doors, seizure response dogs are taught specialized behaviors based on the type of seizure their owner experiences. For epilepsy patients with convulsions, which are sometimes violent in nature, the dogs are trained to get their owners safely to the ground, stay by their side and summon help or retrieve a phone.

“Seizure response dogs represent the fastest growing request we receive and we’re really driven to help these people,” said Jennifer Arnold, founder and executive director of Canine Assistants.

UCB Pharma, Inc., and Canine Assistants have entered into a multi-year partnership to sponsor seizure response dogs for epilepsy patients across the U.S. Under the sponsorship, UCB will provide support through Canine Assistants for the care, training and lifetime veterinary costs for all dogs given to epilepsy patients.

“UCB recognizes that patients with epilepsy experience emotional, social and physical life challenges that cannot be addressed by medication,” said Rich Denness, vice president and general manager, CNS Business Unit, UCB Pharma, Inc. “UCB understands the value of treating the ‘wholepatient and we are thrilled to have a partner like Canine Assistants that allows us to make a very personal commitment to the epilepsy community.” Since 1991 Canine Assistantslocated in Alpharetta, Georgia has been providing assistance dogs ano cost to people with disabilities including epilepsy. The patients are selected based on their individual needs and the services the dogs can provide. For more information about Canine Assistants visit www.canineassistants.com.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.