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May 12, 2008 9:17 am US/Eastern
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Specially-Trained Dogs Help Epilepsy Patients
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Katlin Miller suffers from epilepsy, but now has a highly-trained golden retriever for help.
The condition became apparent two years ago.
"We would hear a bang and she would be on the bathroom floor and her leg would be jumping just going crazy," said Maggie Miller, Katlin's mother.
"Next thing I remember I was on the floor and my mom, she, I just kept saying it was a back spasm, nothing that bad," Katlin said.
Actually, Katlin had a seizure. Subsequent tests led to a diagnosis of a serious form of epilepsy.
Dr. Kevin Crutchfield from the N.J. Neuroscience Institute explains the condition: "The brain all of a sudden fires completely syncronous all at the same time and that leads to a sudden loss of function which is what the jerking motion really is."
"She's had stitches, minor concussions, I say about two dozen and she has also had paramedics, first aid, police they all know her," Miller said.
That's where Greta, Katlin's golden retriever, comes in. She's a highly trained assist dog with some remarkable qualities. Greta is always at Katlin's side. She knows when Katlin's having a seizure and knows what to do.
To demonstrate, Katlin simulated a seizure in the lady's room. As soon as she dropped Greta's leash, the dog immediately ran to get help.
Greta is so attuned to Katlin, she can sense a seizure even before Katlin knows its happening - an early warning especially important at school.
"That puts us in our motion like getting the nurse and the emergency people there that we need to have," Principal Tom Calder of Spotswood High School said.
"I've come out of my shell a lot cause she's forced me to, like I get to go away to college now, I get to have a job, I get to have more independence, this is good!" Katlin exclaimed.
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