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
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