Epileptic Seizure Response Dogs

Every moment matters when you have a trusted guardian watching over you. PAWS seizure response dogs are individually trained to assist people with epilepsy during and after seizures, providing critical support and peace of mind.

You're Never Alone

PAWS epileptic seizure response dogs become your trusted guardian during life’s most vulnerable moments. While seizures can feel isolating and unpredictable, your service dog ensures you always have a reliable partner who knows exactly how to help when you need it most, giving you and your loved ones invaluable peace of mind.

In addition to performing tasks related to a seizure disorder, a PAWS dog can also be trained to assist with tasks related to a physical disability or hearing loss.

What your epileptic seizure response dog can do for you:

During a seizure they can activate a life-alert system, find help, retrieve a phone, and provide stimulation
During seizure recovery they can retrieve medications or other items, act as a brace to help them up, and provide comfort

Please Note: PAWS epileptic seizure response dogs are NOT trained to predict seizures. While some may naturally develop alerting abilities over time, this behavior is neither guaranteed nor consistent.

Do you qualify for a epileptic seizure response dog?

To be eligible for a PAWS epileptic seizure response dog, an individual must:

Be 14 years or older
An individual must have a minimum of one epileptic seizure a month. PAWS does not consider Absence Seizures (Petit-Mal) a qualifying seizure, as typically there is no physical manifestation to trigger the dogs that they need to respond.
If the dog is also trained for hearing tasks, an individual must have a minimum of moderate to severe bilateral hearing loss
Be physically and cognitively capable of independently completing in-home and public access training

Be able to independently command and handle their assistance dog
Be able to meet the emotional, physical, and financial needs of their assistance dog
Be in a stable home environment
Actively improve their quality of life and pursue independence with their assistance dog
Have no other dog in the home (other pets are permitted)
Live in an area serviced by a PAWS field representative (determined upon application)

Client Stories

The Power of Partnership: Maureen and REGGIE’s Life-Changing Bond

“To me, REGGIE has been the greatest and best in the whole world. He has enhanced every part of my life.”

Confidence, Comfort, and a Raft in the Pool: Kade and STERLING’s PAWS Journey

“Kade is more confident in himself. He feels more independent, even in areas we weren’t expecting.”

Lifeline on Four Legs: Kimberly and WAGS’ Journey of Independence

“She’s a hundred times better than a lifeline button. She’s always watching, always working. My four-legged coworker of the year.”

Have questions?

Get the answers you need to take the next step. Our comprehensive FAQ page addresses common questions about service dogs, the application process, and how we support you from start to finish.