Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy to Have a Service DogBreedsWhere to Find ThemOwner ResponsibilitiesEpilepsy ResourcesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why to Have a Service Dog
Breeds
Where to Find Them
Owner Responsibilities
Epilepsy Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
People withepilepsysometimes have trainedservice dogsto help their owners during seizures.They are trained to prevent injuries and seek help when needed.
Learn about training service dogs for epilepsy, owner responsibilities, and more.
Susan Sheldon / EyeEm / Getty Images
Reasons to Train a Service Dog for Epilepsy Alert
Service dogs can perform various tasks related to their handlers’disabilities.For people with epilepsy, these tasks are not limited to when aseizureoccurs.
About 3,000 Americans die fromepilepsyeach year.Service dogs trained for people with epilepsy can help save lives.
Everything to Know About Epilepsy Service Dogs
Service Dog Breeds
Any dog breed can be a service dog and legally stay with its handler in places that do not otherwise allow dogs.However, some breeds are more commonly used as service dogs because of their high intelligence and temperament that aligns with performing tasks for people in need.
Dog breeds most frequently used as service dogs include:
When it comes to service dogs for epilepsy, large, strong breeds are ideal so they can perform tasks such as pulling a wheelchair or breaking a fall.
Where to Find Service Dogs for Epilepsy
Any dog trained to perform a task related to their handler’s disability can legally be considered a service dog.However, that does not mean that all dogs are up for the tasks needed. Some organizations train service dogs for people with disabilities, including epilepsy, but there can be long waiting lists and high costs.
Instead, some people choose to train their service dogs. Training a service dog is not always successful; some dogs cannot perform the required tasks even after training.
Required Documentation
People with disabilities are protected under theAmericans With Disabilities Act (ADA), and dogs are not required to undergo a certification process to be considered service dogs.Further, businesses, such as schools, restaurants, and hotels, cannot legally ask for documentation or proof that the dog is a service animal.
That said, the dog must be trained, and their tasks must relate directly to the disability of their handler.Additionally, the dog must be housebroken and under control at all times.
Training Process
The training process for a service dog can be rigorous. Up to 70% of dogs that begin training do not complete it.It can take about two years to train a dog to perform epilepsy-related tasks, including housebreaking and socialization.
One of the tasks service dogs perform for people with epilepsy—alerting them of a seizure before it happens—comes naturally and is not something they need training to do.It is not fully understood how they can detect seizures before they occur.
Cost
Training a service dog trained to perform epilepsy-related tasks can cost $15,000–$50,000.Insurancecompanies typically do not cover this expense.Getting a service dog at no cost through a nonprofit organization is possible, but there are typically long waiting lists.
Responsibilities as a Service Dog Owner
Service dogs are not for everyone because they are a big responsibility. Owners, either those with epilepsy or theircaregivers(generally for children with epilepsy), are responsible for the dog’s needs. This includes ensuring the dog is housebroken and in control while in public places.Otherwise, businesses can refuse service or not allow the dog entry.
Additionally, owners are required to pay for any damages the dogs may cause and provide all their necessary care.
Just like having a dog as a pet, service dogs require care, including:
Helpful Resources and Epilepsy Organizations
There are many resources and organizations available to people with epilepsy. Some of these include the following:
Summary
Service dogs perform specific tasks to help people with disabilities. For people with epilepsy, this may include breaking a fall when their owner has a seizure, getting between their owner and anything that may cause them harm, and activating an emergency notification device. Some service dogs may be able to alert people of a seizure before it happens (something they do naturally and are not trained to do).
Service dogs are not required to have specific training certifications, nor are businesses allowed to ask for documentation of training certifications. However, they must be trained. This includes being housebroken and under control in public places and around other people, as well as being able to perform tasks directly related to their owner’s disability. The cost and time it takes to train these dogs can be high, but they can also prevent injuries and save lives.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAnyone who has seizures can have a service dog for epilepsy. There are no specific requirements for a service dog, but some organizations that train and provide service dogs may have requirements. Such requirements may include a diagnosis of epilepsy and at least one seizure per month, being over a certain age and capable of caring for the dog, taking part in training, and having a good home for the dog.Epilepsy is considered a disability, and people with epilepsy are protected under the Americans With Disabilities Act.It is not entirely understood how dogs detect seizures before they happen. Some research has shown that dogs may be able to detect changes in the person, such as their smell, behavior, or both, that occur before a seizure.
Anyone who has seizures can have a service dog for epilepsy. There are no specific requirements for a service dog, but some organizations that train and provide service dogs may have requirements. Such requirements may include a diagnosis of epilepsy and at least one seizure per month, being over a certain age and capable of caring for the dog, taking part in training, and having a good home for the dog.
Epilepsy is considered a disability, and people with epilepsy are protected under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
It is not entirely understood how dogs detect seizures before they happen. Some research has shown that dogs may be able to detect changes in the person, such as their smell, behavior, or both, that occur before a seizure.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Epilepsy Foundation.Service dogs.Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure alert dogs.U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.Service animals.Canine Partners for Life.Seizure alert dogs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDE).Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure-alert dogs: just the facts, hold the media hype.American Kennel Club.Most popular service dog breeds.American Kennel Club.Everything you need to know about seizure response dogs.US Service Animals.Service dogs for seizures.Service Dog Registration of America.How to train your own service dog: a complete guide.U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.ADA requirements: service animals.American Kennel Club.Service dogs 101—everything you need to know.Paws With a Cause.Service dogs.The Animal Foundation.The basic necessities of proper pet care.Epilepsy Foundation.About us.Child Neurology Foundation.About CNF.Paws With a Cause.Our mission.Powell NA, Ruffell A, Arnott G.The untrained response of pet dogs to human epileptic seizures.Animals. 2021;11(8):2267. doi:10.3390/ani11082267
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Epilepsy Foundation.Service dogs.Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure alert dogs.U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.Service animals.Canine Partners for Life.Seizure alert dogs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDE).Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure-alert dogs: just the facts, hold the media hype.American Kennel Club.Most popular service dog breeds.American Kennel Club.Everything you need to know about seizure response dogs.US Service Animals.Service dogs for seizures.Service Dog Registration of America.How to train your own service dog: a complete guide.U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.ADA requirements: service animals.American Kennel Club.Service dogs 101—everything you need to know.Paws With a Cause.Service dogs.The Animal Foundation.The basic necessities of proper pet care.Epilepsy Foundation.About us.Child Neurology Foundation.About CNF.Paws With a Cause.Our mission.Powell NA, Ruffell A, Arnott G.The untrained response of pet dogs to human epileptic seizures.Animals. 2021;11(8):2267. doi:10.3390/ani11082267
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Epilepsy Foundation.Service dogs.Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure alert dogs.U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.Service animals.Canine Partners for Life.Seizure alert dogs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDE).Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure-alert dogs: just the facts, hold the media hype.American Kennel Club.Most popular service dog breeds.American Kennel Club.Everything you need to know about seizure response dogs.US Service Animals.Service dogs for seizures.Service Dog Registration of America.How to train your own service dog: a complete guide.U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.ADA requirements: service animals.American Kennel Club.Service dogs 101—everything you need to know.Paws With a Cause.Service dogs.The Animal Foundation.The basic necessities of proper pet care.Epilepsy Foundation.About us.Child Neurology Foundation.About CNF.Paws With a Cause.Our mission.Powell NA, Ruffell A, Arnott G.The untrained response of pet dogs to human epileptic seizures.Animals. 2021;11(8):2267. doi:10.3390/ani11082267
Epilepsy Foundation.Service dogs.
Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure alert dogs.
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.Service animals.
Canine Partners for Life.Seizure alert dogs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDE).
Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure-alert dogs: just the facts, hold the media hype.
American Kennel Club.Most popular service dog breeds.
American Kennel Club.Everything you need to know about seizure response dogs.
US Service Animals.Service dogs for seizures.
Service Dog Registration of America.How to train your own service dog: a complete guide.
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.ADA requirements: service animals.
American Kennel Club.Service dogs 101—everything you need to know.
Paws With a Cause.Service dogs.
The Animal Foundation.The basic necessities of proper pet care.
Epilepsy Foundation.About us.
Child Neurology Foundation.About CNF.
Paws With a Cause.Our mission.
Powell NA, Ruffell A, Arnott G.The untrained response of pet dogs to human epileptic seizures.Animals. 2021;11(8):2267. doi:10.3390/ani11082267
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