LEGAL ISSUES
Canada is a country that strives for independence for all people and as much equality as possible. However, there are still cases where its citizens do not share the same values. Although, legally, everyone must be treated with respect, regardless of sexual preference, ethnicity, age, or disability, a lot of people break the rules. Under the Human Rights Code of Canada, a person with epilepsy would be defined as having a handicap; therefore, they would be protected by all laws, which serve to minimize discrimination against those with handicaps. There are documents in effect, like the Human Rights Code, to combat prejudice and intolerance. The Human Rights Code in particular, states that "Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or handicap" (8). If you feel that your rights have been infringed upon, then you can file a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Their contact information is listed at the end of this article (with the references).
HOW OTHERS WILL REACT TO YOUR DOG
PREVENT PEOPLE FROM DISTRACTING YOUR DOG
People may not realize that your dog is not a pet, it is a working animal. There are patches available for purchase that you can add to your dog's harness that say things such as, "Do Not Pet", and "Working Dog". In addition, the service dog should always wear the vest or harness, to identify itself as a service dog. You can find more information about patches by asking the trainer, veterinarian or contacting a service dog training organization. These patches, harnesses and vests should make others aware that your dog is on duty, and is not at liberty to play. It is always hard to say "no" to children; however, if children approach your dog, you must tell them that they cannot play with it.
If a service dog gets distracted then he will not perform his duties to the best of his ability. This could endanger the owner. Another thing that you should always carry, when you and your service dog go out, is identification documentation to prove that your dog is a service dog. In some cases, businesses may not allow you to enter with a dog. Fortunately, if you verify that it is a service dog they have no choice- they must legally allow the dog in.
EXPLAINING YOUR DOG
When you and your service dog are out and about, you may receive some wary glances, or surprised stares. Pay them no heed. Many people are not aware of the term "service dog", and do not understand why your dog is allowed entry into places that other dogs aren't. It is your decision whether or not you wish to explain to any people who ask what a service dog is and what its purpose is. If people question your need for having a service dog, you do not need to explain. Again, it is your choice to tell them whether or not you have epilepsy. What you may wish to say, is that you have a disability that doesn't impair your vision or hearing; however, it does create certain problems that the dog is able to aid you with. You do not need to justify your reasons for owning the service dog. You have already gone through a lengthy process in order to obtain said dog, so do not fret if people question you. Most people, after receiving a service dog, actually say that it allows them to be more independent and that they do not feel as though people are judging them harshly, but that people are merely curious. Remember that epilepsy is an invisible disability, but once you obtain a service dog it will become visible. This is important, because some people do not take this into consideration.
COSTS
The price will vary for training and obtaining a service dog, dependent on which organization you choose to use. For instance, at National Service Dogs it costs $12 000 (Canadian) to fully sponsor a service dog's training (5). Organizations will usually raise the funds themselves for the dog, but many will ask you to contribute by coming up with fundraising ideas or chipping in.
After you have received your dog, and after it has been trained, the other costs will all be your responsibility. These could include things like food, dog toys, grooming and so on. For food alone for the dog throughout the year the total would most likely be $240 or more. These costs should have been determined before the dog was obtained, in case the cost is excessive for the financial income that you have.
BREEDS
Certain organizations prefer to use certain breeds of dogs. For instance, Special Skills Dogs of Canada usually uses Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Standard Poodles. However, other breeds of dogs may be used; dependent on what type of work the dog will be doing (6). Some organizations will allow almost any type of dog, as they base the acceptance on the individual dog itself- if it is able to pass the temperament test and others then it should be alright. The first type of assistance dog ever used was the Alsatian (German shepherd); the German army utilized them as Red Cross dogs and as messengers. After Alsatians, the next dog to be tested as a guide dog was the Border collie (4). It succeeded; and after this the field was opened for different types of dogs to have opportunities as well. Some of the popular dogs to follow were the Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. If you want your service dog to be a specific breed then you should inform the organization and see whether they're willing to let you do that. On the same note, certain organizations will let you train an already existing pet in your home- consult them about this, if you are interested.
CAN THEY DETECT SEIZURES?
STUDY
Although there are many anecdotes about peoples' service dogs predicting their seizures, there is no proof of this. If a trainer or an organization claims that they have trained their dogs to predict seizures you should be wary of them. A handful of studies have been administered to test the theory of dogs predicting seizures. One of the few studies that was carried out was done by Adam Kirton and associates at the University of Alberta. According to this study, about 15% of the dogs which took part in the study seemed to be able to anticipate seizures. They would react in various ways; however, the most common reaction was licking the child. The dogs which appeared to be best at predicting seizures (or responding to them), were usually females and tended to be of the larger breeds, such as Alsatians and Standard Poodles. The average time it took between a dog's apparent warning of a seizure and the seizure itself was 2.5 minutes, but in some cases the dog exhibited warning signs hours before the seizure itself (9).
ACCURACY
Different people have different reasons why they believe that a dog could be able to sense seizures. Some experts claim that it may have something to do with a dog's sense of smell. Others claim that it's a simple answer and it boils down to a change in the child's behaviour before the onset of a seizure. Nothing, however, can be proved until further tests are carried out. A potential problem with the means of collecting information that Adam Kirton used is that the owners could exaggerate actual events and it is difficult to prove whether their claims are valid. These tests would need to involve more scientific instruments, and be carried out under the watchful eye of the scientists; to ensure the validity of the results. More accurate means of collecting data would definitely need to be put into place.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
FOUNDATION
If you are not in need of a service dog, but are interested, instead, in helping out with the process of training a service dog, then there are quite a few options for you. Most people would choose the option of donating money, or volunteering time with an organization. Organizations that train service dogs need as much financial assistance as possible. This is due to the fact that training service dogs is not an inexpensive business: it requires vaccinations, hours upon hours of training, up-to-date facilities, and the dog itself. It is, in fact, quite a pricy business. In addition, it is the responsibility (for the most part) of the organization to provide the dog to the person in need- usually, the person does not have to pay to obtain this dog. Organizations like the Lions Foundation of Canada rely on donations from groups and individuals in order to stay in existence; the government does not provide them with assistance.
DOGS
However, if you would rather not donate money, and are willing to dedicate a considerable amount of energy to the cause, then you may want to consider becoming a puppy raiser. It can be a demanding job, but it is also very rewarding. You are privileged enough to raise this puppy and watch it grow into a responsible service dog. One of the main problems with becoming a puppy raiser is that you have to be willing to give up the puppy without a fuss when the organization says that enough time has passed. It is difficult to not become emotionally attached to the dog; nevertheless, it is important to remember why you chose to become a puppy raiser in the first place- to help people who are in need of the dog's services.
CONCLUSION
All in all, the decision to obtain a service dog is up to the person with epilepsy, and how beneficial they think it would be for them. One must weigh all the pros and cons, and not make a rash decision, because if the wrong decision is made it would not only affect the person with epilepsy, but also the people surrounding him/her and the dog. Overall the number of success stories pertaining to service dogs, far outnumber the rates of failure; however, that does not mean that a service dog is right for you. Although information about service dogs is useful, it is always helpful to consult with a person and receive their personal input.
NOTE: At the end of this article is an interview with a woman named Sue Hoffman. She is a woman living with epilepsy with the assistance of her service dog.
