• Service animals for epilepsy are usually highly trained dogs that can sense oncoming seizures and help keep you safe.
• The initial cost for a service animal is significant, but many members of MyEpilepsyTeam say their service animals have changed their lives for the better.
• Getting an epilepsy service animal is a big responsibility and requires a serious commitment to its care.

Many people with epilepsy find that their quality of life and sense of well-being improves when they have a trained service animal to help them. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with epilepsy, here’s what you need to know about deciding whether a service animal is right for you — and starting the process to get your own.

How Service Animals Help People With Epilepsy

There are several ways service animals can help people diagnosed with epilepsy. You’ll need to know what kind of support you want before you invest in a service animal.

It is important to note that in the United States, only dogs and miniature horses can function as service animals. Other animals, like cats, can be registered as emotional support animals (and provide much-needed support), but they will not be granted the same legal rights and privileges as official service animals.

Many people with medical conditions like epilepsy find that dogs are the best support animals for them. While any intelligent dog with a good temperament can be trained as a support animal, most people choose from the following dog breeds:

• Golden retrievers
• Labrador retrievers
• Rottweilers
• Poodles and doodles
• German shepherds
• Collies
• Cairn terriers
• Akitas

Seizure-Alert Dogs

A seizure-alert dog is a service animal that alerts a person (or their caregiver) when they sense the person has an oncoming seizure. They’re trained to display a particular behavior, like pawing at the ground, when they sense a seizure is imminent. This alerting behavior can give a person time to get to a safe place or draw attention from a loved one so they can help.

Researchers aren’t sure how some dogs may be able to detect seizures — whether they notice physical changes in a person or a change in how they smell, for example. There is some controversy over whether dogs can detect seizures before they happen at all. Studies are inconclusive, and more research is needed. The American Kennel Club advises that it is impossible for a dog to be trained in how to detect seizures but that some may do it naturally. However, some people swear by their seizure-alert dogs and say that having one has changed their lives for the better.

Seizure-Response Dogs

Seizure-response dogs will not detect seizures before they happen, but they can help afterward. They may go get another person, help you get to a phone to call for help, activate a medical alert device, or prevent injury by lying next to you during the seizure. These dogs can help people live more independently because they offer a reliable source of aid.

Seizure-Assistance Dogs

Seizure-assistance dogs may perform some of the same tasks as seizure-response dogs, but they are also trained to offer emotional support. While people of all ages with epilepsy can have a seizure-assistance dog, these animals are most often paired with children.

In addition to notifying parents or adults if a seizure occurs, seizure-assistance dogs offer comfort to children. Their support can also allow a child to do things like sleep by themselves in their own room and get through difficult medical procedures with confidence.

How To Adopt a Service Animal for Epilepsy

There are approximately 20 nonprofit organizations and for-profit organizations in the United States that train seizure-alert dogs. Some organizations only train dogs in certain types of service, and others require you to live in a specific region so you can participate in the dog-training process.

In addition, organizations have different application procedures and policies. You will likely need to provide proof from a neurologist that you have been diagnosed with epilepsy and that your provider recommends — or even prescribes — a service animal for your needs.

Read more about how your epilepsy specialist can help you find support.

Service Animals and Cost

You will also need to have a plan in place to pay for your service animal. Training can cost between $15,000 and $70,000, and insurance does not cover that cost. There are grants available to people in certain locations and situations to help cover those costs, but getting one can be difficult and take a long time. Some people with epilepsy pursue crowdfunding, take out a loan, or work with an organization that offers a payment plan to cover the costs of a service animal.

In general, you can expect to wait up to 18 months to be paired with a service dog. The dog-training process can take up to two years. You may also need to travel to participate in certain aspects of the training process or have a trainer come to your home several times.

The Epilepsy Foundation is a great resource for finding seizure dog trainers near you. The foundation’s searchable database will allow you to find people who can help you start the process of getting a service dog.

How a Service Animal Could Change Your Life

Some MyEpilepsyTeam members have shared how service animals have improved their lives. One member wrote, “I had a service dog for 14 years. She was the best. On one occasion, she even had to grab her own leash and help me find my way back home.”

Another shared, “My service dog is Rosco. He helps me when I have complex partial seizures.”

These dogs can help people with severe epilepsy regain lost independence. As one member wrote, “My furry-legged friend cost me $10,000, but now, I can use public transportation.”

Others find that their dogs give them confidence: “I’m feeling weak in the legs, but Hazelnut, my service dog, is saying that I’m OK for now.”

If you’re the parent of a child with epilepsy, having a service animal may help you feel more confident that your child has another pair of careful eyes looking after them.

Learn about other ways to care for yourself as an epilepsy caregiver.

Things To Keep in Mind With Epilepsy Service Animals

There are a few serious responsibilities that come with having a service animal for epilepsy. Every animal comes with a time, energy, and financial commitment. Just like any pet, you will need to make sure your service animal gets enough exercise, plenty of love and attention, and routine vet visits. If your support animal gets sick, you will be responsible for caring for them. By taking on a service dog, you are committing to what could be a decade or more of animal care.

Your whole family will need to be ready to commit to having the animal and learn to work with and around them. While the animal will be there for your epileptic seizures, family members may need to help care for the animal and make a place for it in your daily life.

Service animals can also draw a lot of attention in public places. Even though most people mean well, you’ll need to be prepared to explain your animal’s job and ask people to stay away so it can work.

If you are ready to make the commitment to a service animal and you know what you’re looking for, start searching for training organizations in your area today.

Find the Support Team You Need

MyEpilepsyTeam is the social network for people with epilepsy and their loved ones. On MyEpilepsyTeam, more than 115,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with epilepsy.

Do you have a service animal, or are you interested in getting one? Do you have stories you’d like to share about how your service dog has helped you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.