This will change the life of a wonderful teenage girl who has seizures. Seizure response dogs (SRD) are a special type of service dog, specifically trained to help someone who has epilepsy or a seizure disorder. The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is currently fundraising to be able to provide a grant to Alli. Due to the differing needs between each case, every potential seizure dog receives specialized training.
Being a teenager, having a seizure response dog will give Alli the much needed freedom, safety and friendship she needs. It will also give her parents less sleepless nights. The added family member of a SRD will be the extra set of eyes to reduce the stress and anxiety of the unexpected when Alli is alone.
Having a SRD will give Alli more private time and independence, which all teenagers need. It will help reduce the hypervigilance with her siblings when they are with her; and possibly to warn to an oncoming seizure. For Alli's mom it will be the comfort of knowing there is a backup system for when she is not with her daughter.
This particular project will provide seizure-response dogs for people living with epilepsy, greatly increasing their chances of surviving life-threatening episodes that may arise. This project will also raise awareness about SUDEP to encourage further support of individuals living with epilepsy, their families, and their communities.
