A service dog will bring independence, security and safety to a beautiful young lady. Seizure response dogs 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 help Alyvia's family. Due to the differing needs between each case, every potential seizure dog receives specialized training.
Currently Alyvia sleeps with one of her parents, and they wake up every 15-30 minutes checking on a video monitor in fear of missing that nighttime seizure. While they want to make sure she is safe, they wish to allow her her privacy and security sleeping in her own bed. Most of her seizures happen at night which can be very dangerous. Her service dog will learn to alert her family of a seizure so they can take whatever emergency measures are needed, which is often the case.
Alyvia's service dog will allow her the opportunity to do things that other girls her age do and will help keep her safe by being her constant companion. This project will bring some much needed peace to this wonderful family while allowing Alyvia some privacy and security herself.
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.
