When someone has multiple seizures every day, privacy isnB次元官网网址檛 a luxury theyB次元官网网址檙e really afforded.

Before SurreyB次元官网网址檚 Sherry-Lynne MacWilliams received a dog trained to help with her seizures, she was unable to be alone, unmonitored by nearby family members, because she has epilepsy-related seizures often.

B次元官网网址淭here was somebody always checking up on me or with me, all the time,B次元官网网址� she said.

Even when going to have a bath, she would have to leave the door ajar a little, just in case anything happened.

Then she and her family were able to get Venta, a Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guide trained in seizure response B次元官网网址� despite a COVID-19 pandemic-related delay.

In addition to training for people who are blind or visually impaired, dog guides are specially trained to help meet the needs of people with hearing, medical and physical disabilities, epilepsy, autism and diabetes, and for professional agencies assisting people in traumatic situations.

B次元官网网址淏efore, I didnB次元官网网址檛 have any independence at all. You feel B次元官网网址� almost like youB次元官网网址檙e not quite grown up,B次元官网网址� MacWilliams said, noting that Venta gives her more independence. B次元官网网址淣ow, if I go for a bath, Venta will come in with me and lie on the mat.B次元官网网址�

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She can close the door if she wishes, as Venta will alert her family with barking if she sees her having a seizure, or senses one about to happen.

When Venta detects the chemical change that occurs approximately 15 minutes before her guardian has a seizure, she alerts MacWilliams to sit down in a safe place and goes and gets her medicine, cellphone or a family member.

People with epilepsy experience seizures in different ways, MacWilliams noted, and while she may have several small seizures in a day, they often wonB次元官网网址檛 affect her ability to function, or not very much.

B次元官网网址淚 might trip or pause in a sentence, but IB次元官网网址檓 still functioning,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 when seizures get to be over 10 seconds and in groups B次元官网网址� clusters B次元官网网址� that (Venta) tends to notice things are not right. Clusters B次元官网网址� can lead to much worse seizures, and she can tell when itB次元官网网址檚 a large seizure or clusters B次元官网网址� when IB次元官网网址檓 becoming less capable of doing things or have a chance of losing consciousness.B次元官网网址�

Even though MacWilliams can usually sense some seizure warning signs herself, it still surprises her how quickly Venta will know B次元官网网址� even if MacWilliams herself doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel off in any way.

She remembered being at the family cabin last year, swimming in water that was quite deep. Venta, who was standing on the shore 15 feet away, started barking madly. When Sherry-Lynne didnB次元官网网址檛 swim back to shore, Venta B次元官网网址� who hates water B次元官网网址� dove in and started dragging her to the dock. Minutes after Sherry-Lynne had climbed out of the water, she had a massive seizure.

Since Venta has joined the family, MacWilliams and her husband and adult children have been able to relax, knowing sheB次元官网网址檒l get the help she needs when she needs it, she noted.

B次元官网网址淰enta is very calm and so sweet. SheB次元官网网址檚 fun and inquisitive, too!B次元官网网址� MacWilliams said.

While she still doesnB次元官网网址檛 venture too far from home too often, having Venta means that MacWilliams can now occasionally go to a nearby mall or maybe a walk around the block every now and then, as long as Venta is with her. The smart canine companion is trained to fetch MacWilliamsB次元官网网址� phone, her medication B次元官网网址� if she is suffering a seizure B次元官网网址� or help from a nearby person if needed.

It costs $35,000 to breed, train and place Dog Guides, which is why there is a walk B次元官网网址� the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides B次元官网网址� taking place across B.C. on May 26 in numerous locations including South Delta, Victoria, Sidney, Nelson, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Alberni and Duncan, all in support of providing Dog Guides at no cost to their guardians.

When potential Dog Guides dogs are born, theyB次元官网网址檙e placed with foster families for initial, basic training while they grow. When theyB次元官网网址檙e old enough to meet potential handlers/guardians they might be a good match with, they then train for another several weeks with that person.

MacWilliams said there are several great reasons for people to support Dog Guides.

B次元官网网址淚t is a tremendous charity, and it makes such a difference in peoplesB次元官网网址� lives,B次元官网网址� MacWilliams said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 life-saving, too.B次元官网网址�

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