My great-grandson was just diagnosed with juvenile epilepsy. He just suddenly started having seizures. He had the first one, then 3 weeks later a second one and ever since they have been weekly. Now the seizures are getting closer together. I have been researching information about getting a service dog for him and would appreciate any input. I have a blind friend who has a lab and another who has a shepherd. Are some dogs better for some things than others? He is only 4 years old and the doctor said he might outgrow them by age 10-14. I pray that he will.

Thanks for any information that you can share. If you don't want to post on the board, please PM if you have info you can share. Thank you. Kathy B.

I can't help answer your questions, but your great grandson will be in my prayers.

My DGD had the same thing she out grow them.
I have seen different service dogs on TV. I know it cost a lot to train a dog. I have seen different size dog use for this job.
A girl that was blind had a yorkie. I have seen lab and other large dogs used. They test differnt dog to see what there temperment is and if they can be a service dog.

My son started petite mall seizures when he was 3. They told me he would grow out of them by the time he was 8 or 9. He did at 8.So I will pray for that to happen for him too.

Oh by the way, he is 45 years old now and hasn't had another one since he was 8.

There are some dogs who will alert a person that they are going to have a seizure. It is amazing! My DD has epilepsy and one of her dogs often senses a seizure coming and will stand near her and whine. She knows to be in a safe place. This dog was never trained, but she doesn't do it every time either.
People can have serious injury from falling at the start of a seizure. A dog with this ability could be a God send for a small child. I would certainly look into it.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, that is encouraging.

Thank you, that is encouraging to hear. I will let him mom know that there is hope for him to outgrow these.

My son had seizures also, but luckily he outgrew them. Not sure why the magic age is 7-8 but that is when he stopped having his also. I would ask his physician about this and see if he recommends it and how to go about getting one if that is what will be needed. Seizures are very scary not only for the child but for the parents as well. I will keep him in my prayers..

There have been several articles that I've read about some dogs being able to sense or smell things like a epileptic seizure coming on. Maybe you can Goggle that. I don't think the breed has anything to do with it though. They've been very interesting articles.

Aren't animals amazing creatures? When our female shepherd was old and started having seizures so we got a puppy to keep her company. Everytime she started to have a seizure the puppy would stand by her and start barking (even in the middle of the night) until someone came to see what was going on. It is truly amazing how intuitive animals are.

His mom is a basket case right now. He now sleeps in her bed and she's afraid to sleep because she's afraid he'll have a seizure and she won't know it. If it lasts more than 5 minutes she has medication she has to administer and she's afraid he'll need it and she won't know it.

Thank you all so much for your prayers. I will let my granddaughter know good thoughts and prayers are coming her way, and sit her down and let her read this thread for encouragement. Thank you. This is so encouraging.

Awwww, I can see why his Mom is a basket case. That's very frightening. Your little guy and his Mom and YOU are in my prayers :)
And yes, dogs are amazing!!!

A lady I know in a wheelchair, has a mutt, Magic. He is black lab and retriever mix, and SO smart. They trained him til he was two, and she had had him ever since. He can even read sign language commands takepaper from the printer, pick up dropped items with out being told, just an AWESOME dog!

Animals are just amazing. We have a little Boston Terrier that we got because my husband has severe depression. I was working at the time was was afraid of leaving him alone. My son said he wanted a dog and we got Cow. Cow is always following my husband every where. The need to take Cow out and care for him keeps Jorge focused when he is alone.

A year ago I noticed that Cow was always licking Jorge's ankles. Jorge is diabetic and even though now is sugar is under control, it wasn't always like that. One day we noticed that Cow was sitting in front of Jorge, facing down, and not moving. A few minutes later Jorge started to feel sick and when he checked his sugar, it was way high. Now we observe the dog's behavior and listen to him. Cow never had any special training for this. He learned by always being with his master.

I hope your grandson gets better.

Maria, that's just amazing!
Dogs are so awesome! My Mom is 87 and I swear her dog keeps her young!!! She gets so much joy from him and he protects her, even from us lol
I think it's true- All Dogs go to Heaven :)

I hope you can find what is best for your little man. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

I had Febrile seizures growing up. He and your daughter will be in my prayers. I was able to live a normal life except I wasn't allowed to climb ropes in P.E. (Hooray) but I wasn't allowed to dive off the high dive until I was 14 and my mom didn't come to pool with me any more. LOL! My biggest fear was that they wouldn't let me get my driver's license. They told me I had to go one year without a seizure before I could get my license. I think I prayed every day for a year before it was time for me to take the driver's test and it worked! Best wishes!

The way I understand it, service dogs are special trained to do a specific job.

Service dogs are amazing! I don't have a need for one, but many do and epilepsy is certainly something they're great for. I highly recommend looking into it. At the very least, the dog will know to wake mom up when he's having a seizure so she can sleep a bit more soundly.