Many people with epilepsy find that their quality of life and sense of well-being improve when they have a trained service dog 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 dog is right for you. You’ll also discover how to start the process to get your own.

How Service Dogs Help People With Epilepsy

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

While any intelligent dog with a good temperament can be trained as a support dog, 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 dog 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’s some controversy over whether dogs can actually detect seizures before they happen at all. Studies are inconclusive, and more research is needed.

The American Kennel Club advises that it’s impossible for a dog to be trained in how to detect seizures but that some dogs 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 won’t 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 assistance
• Activate a medical alert device
• 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’re also trained to offer emotional support. While people of all ages with epilepsy can have a seizure-assistance dog, these dogs 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 Get a Service Dog 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’ll likely need to provide proof from a neurologist that you’ve been diagnosed with epilepsy and that your healthcare provider recommends — or even prescribes — a service dog for your seizure disorder. Each organization may have their own process for how to get a seizure-alert dog.

Service Dogs and Cost

You’ll also need to have a plan in place to pay for your service dog. Training can cost between $15,000 and $70,000, and insurance doesn’t 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 dog.

In general, you can expect to be on a waiting list for 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 Dog Could Change Your Life

Some MyEpilepsyTeam members have shared how service dogs 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.”

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

— A MyEpilepsyTeam member

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 dog may help you feel more confident that your child has a companion looking out for them.

Things To Keep in Mind With Epilepsy Service Dogs

There are a few serious responsibilities that come with having a service dog for seizures. Every dog comes with a time, energy, and financial commitment. Just like any pet, you’ll need to make sure your service dog gets enough exercise, plenty of love and attention, and routine vet visits.

If your support dog gets sick, you’ll be responsible for caring for them. By taking on a service dog, you’re committing to what could be a decade or more of dog care.

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

Service dogs 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 dog’s job and ask people to stay away so it can work.

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

Join the Conversation

On MyEpilepsyTeam, people share their experiences with epilepsy, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What do you love most about your service dog? Let others know in the comments below.