An Edmonton-area family is trying to raise money to get a special dog to help their daughter who is living with epilepsy.
Madalyn Dewald is a one-year-old girl from Wetaskawin, who suffers from seizures due to her epilepsy.
She began having seizures just before her first birthday.
“She had three seizures in one day, one of which was four minutes long,” said Madalyn’s mother Jessica Dewald.
A few weeks after that, the little girl was diagnosed with epilepsy, a neurological disorder that affects the brain.
“I was in a bit of a shock,” said Madalyn’s father Marcus Dewald.
“Your whole life flashes and you think of all the horrible things,” Jessica said.
The seizures often happen at night.
“Her seizures were full out. Her head shaking, arms trembling, legs kicking, full-on seizures,” Jessica said.
“It’s scary. The seizures are absolutely terrifying.”
Madalyn’s parents want to get their daughter a seizure assistance dog, something they believe will help give their daughter comfort and safety.
“Right now is the time when we need it the most. We’re not sleeping. Anytime she makes a sound I’m up and I’m checking on her,” Jessica said.
“She gets so scared when she’s in the hospital, having to get IVs and needles and tests… I can only be so much of a comfort.”
It’s also something that will help put Jessica and Marcus at ease.
“I’m always on guard about her behaviour,” Jessica said.
“You’re never sure exactly when it’s going to hit and that’s one of the worst things,” Marcus said.
The family has been approved to get a seizure assistance dog through an organization based in the United States called 4 Paws for Ability.
“Our goal, in placing a seizure dog, is that the dog will alert the family if not during the seizure, even before the seizure ever occurs,” said Karen Shirk with 4 Paws.
“Basically we teach the dog what the scent is that the body gives off before a seizure.”
The company has been operating for 15 years and provides assistance dogs to families around the world.
Shirk says assistance dogs provide comfort for children and a sense of safety for parents.
“Knowing ahead of time they can get their child into a safe place. It’s certainly not going to the prevent the seizure but they can have medication ready, have their child in safe place and be there so they don’t lose their child, because a lot of times children will die during seizure activity,” Shirk said.
Similar animals are available for families in Canada but only for children over the age of six.
Lions Foundation of Canada dog guides wants children to be mature enough to care for the pet.
“We really need that dog to be in tune with that person and really bonded to that person and paying attention to that person,” said Alex Izic with the foundation.
The Canadian organization offers the dogs for free, but the American organization requires families to fundraise $13,000.
The family is putting on a charity hockey game in April as one way to fundraise money in order to get Madalyn her new companion.
“I think having this dog is going to be tremendous for her because she loves animals but it will be a comfort her. It will be there no matter when she needs it, whether she’s just having a bad day or she’s in a hospital or at a doctor’s appointment.”
They’ve also created a Facebook Page called 4 Paws for Miss Maddi, as a way to spread the word and raise awareness about the cause.
The family is hopeful Madalyn will get her seizure assistance dog soon.
“She’s just starting to learn to walk now and go up and down stairs. This dog will let us know. If she’s coming down the stairs and we know she’s going to have a seizure I can go and get her and I know she’s going to be safe, I can put her in a safe position,” Jessica said.
With files from Carmen Leibel
