The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is currently fundraising to be able to provide a $2500 grant to Katie and Clark, an amazing service dog team. Seizure response dogs are a special type of service dog, specifically trained to help someone who has epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Due to the differing needs between each case, every potential seizure dog receives specialized training.
Katie's seizures can be life-threatening so she needs someone at all times, which means her freedom to take a walk or cross the street to go to the park. Clark will allow her to do a lot more. As an adult, she has not had the opportunity to live independently. She looks forward to being able to experience life and not be held back any longer. She is looking forward to feeling confident about being in public by herself.
Clark has been trained for emergency medical response for seizures. Not only does he alert Katie's mother, he has been trained to use a two way radio, one is on Clark's vest and the other is with mom. He pulls the cord, it actives, alerting mom. He brings her meds too. Because Katie has multiple disabilities, Clark also wears a harness and is cross trained for mobility, as well.
Our goal is to get life-saving measures in line for all who could benefit from them. By raising SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) awareness, our hope is to get epilepsy research on the radar. Most believe that if you have seizures you can take a pill and be cured. Truth is that only 1/3 of those with seizures are controlled by medication. For many, multiple seizures are an every-day part of their life. 1 in 26 will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime.
