The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is currently fundraising to be able to provide a $2500 grant to Devin and Zoe, a seizure-response service dog in training for him. 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.
Zoe is currently in training for Devin, a very activite 6-year old boy who happens to have epilepsy. It is difficult to allow him to be a normal kid because his parents are always on guard because his seizures come so quickly and are usually silent. Zoe will be used to alert Devin's parents or teacher when a seizure is occurring, retrieve rescue meds and be with him to offer both comfort and reassurance throughout his seizures.
This project will allow a little boy to be a little boy. Zoe will allow Devin the opportunity to do things that other boys his age can do and will help keep him safe by being his constant companion. While in training, Zoe is demonstrating some alerting abilities and in time, will hopefully have the ability to alert Devin's family ahead of a seizure so they can brace for what is to come.
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.
