The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is currently fundraising to be able to provide a $2500 grant to Jacob to receive a seizure-response service dog, Bailey Bear. 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.
Jacob started having seizures at 17 months. He is a very active 3-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. A seizure-response dog, by the name of Bailey Bear is currently in training for Jacob. Bailey Bear will be used to recognize 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. Bailey Bear will allow Jacob 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, Bailey Bear is demonstrating some alerting abilities and in time, will hopefully have the ability to alert Jacob'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.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
