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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Noblesville, IN
September 13
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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I am currently on a two year waiting list, it’s frustrating! Good luck I hope you find a fantastic loving service dog!

September 13
MyEpilepsyTeam

Finding a seizure-alert dog takes some research, but there are good resources to help get started. There are around 20 nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the U.S. that train these dogs.

The Epilepsy Foundation has a searchable database to help find trainers and organizations near you — that's a great first stop.

A few Show Full Answer

Finding a seizure-alert dog takes some research, but there are good resources to help get started. There are around 20 nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the U.S. that train these dogs.

The Epilepsy Foundation has a searchable database to help find trainers and organizations near you — that's a great first stop.

A few things to keep in mind when starting the process:

- A letter from your neurologist is typically required to prove the need for a service dog
- Some organizations only operate in specific regions
- You may need to participate in parts of the training process yourself
- Waiting lists can be up to 18 months long
- Training the dog can take up to two years It's also worth knowing that costs can be significant — training fees range from $15,000 to $70,000, and insurance typically doesn't cover this. However, grants, payment plans, crowdfunding, and loans are options that others have used to manage the cost.

Talking to your epilepsy care team is a smart first step, as they can write the necessary documentation and may know of local resources too.

September 13

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