Seizure Response Dogs in School

Andrew Stevens, 12, owns a seizure response dog that can help him when he has seizures. Andrew has a rare form of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, which can result in many seizures a day. Andrew's parents say his dog, Alaya, can protect Andrew when he has a seizure, and even help stop a seizure from happening by swiping a magnet over a device in Andrew’s chest. The school district in Fairfax County, VA had originally stopped Andrew from bringing Alaya to school, in what the Epilepsy Foundation felt was a clear violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other Federal laws. The school district is now allowing Andrew and Alaya to come to school (accompanied by Andrew’s father) on a probationary basis. The Epilepsy Foundation -- as part of our mission to help all people with epilepsy help overcome challenges from living the condition -- will continue to support Andrew and his family as the situation develops. For more information, go to http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org.

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Comment by Susan on February 1, 2012 at 3:42pm: Dear Andrew, My service dog, Sophia, has been with me for 8 years and has saved me from a lot of heartache. My husband and I used to train service dogs and know the value of a good seizure alert and response dog. We will be praying for you, your family and your dog that your school and community assist you in every way. With Love, Susan and Sophia

Comment by Tracey Deupree on November 18, 2011 at 9:56am: Yeah!! Love it!!!

Comment by Alexander Lodi on November 18, 2011 at 9:31am: That is awesome! Congratulations on every ones success with service dogs.

Comment by Kelly Williams on October 22, 2011 at 5:55pm: I have had a seizure assist dog for almost 11 years now and am having another dog in training at this moment to take her place when she passes. There is nothing like having a seizure assist dog to be by your side to take care of you when you are in need!

Comment by Scott A Cook on May 18, 2011 at 12:34pm: I think that service dogs should be alould in all places no matter were it is...... My sis and family have heard about seizure response dog and think is a great thing, they been wanting me to get a dog because of my seizures they think it would be a great help to me and my stress levels.......I love dogs but I have 1 cat, 3 Birds, Fish, and I help out with the Boy Scouts, Voleenter at the School sometimes. But The Main Issuse Is "seizure response dog" yes they should be aloud in schools if kid or Teens are useing them.... Scott

Comment by www.myspace.com/myseizures on January 25, 2011 at 9:27pm: If a civilized society can LIVE with guiding dogs for the blinds, what makes living with siezure response dogs any DIFFERENT?

So, these are the Schools & School board members who are supposedly teaching our kids to be productive citizens, while discouraging Andrew to seek education & his school mates to be considerate citizens?

How hard is it to see, Andrew, the epileptic boy & his family has been through MORE than enough already?

Give the boy & his family a break,,,

Let the boy have his seizure response dog & go to school, just as you & your child would want to.

GO ANDREW,,, We are on your side,,, NEVER TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!!!!