Phoebe - My life saving seizure dog


 

 

Phoebe literally followed me home one day in 2002.  She is a Border Collie/Australian Shepard mix.  Some dogs have recently made headlines how they have this "sixth sense" to detect seizures, many without training. They say dogs pick their owners and who would've thought this match would be anything but perfect!  It was worth her standing outside my front door until I let her in. 

Without training, Phoebe was able to detect my seizures before they began.  She would bark incessantly to alert others of my episodes. Literally, Phoebe has saved my life on more than one occasion.  Many times, especially in NYC, people may have thought I was seizing due to drug abuse or were simply frightened by what they were witnessing. I even wore a medic alert necklace.  When I fell outside and suffered some rather traumatic head injuries, it was Phoebe who helped to get people's attention, who may have otherwise turned away. She barked, without intimidating strangers, who then followed her to come to my aid.  Because of her, ambulances were called.

I am a believer that a dog can be of service and help.  To know that a dog can keep you safe is a comforting feeling when you have epilepsy.  You feel protected and less afraid to go outside the confines of your home and live a more normal life.  I am an advocate that seizure dogs should be more widely accepted in our society, same as seeing eye dogs are there for the blind.



My painting of Phoebe..