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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NAPSI)-Man's best friend has taken on a whole new meaning. For people with epilepsy, specially trained seizure response dogs offer more than 24-hour companionship. The dogs may actually help people regain their independence and a renewed sense of confidence.
Following training of more than 90 general commands like picking up medicine and opening doors, seizure response dogs are taught specialized behaviors based on the type of seizure their owner experiences. For epilepsy patients with convulsions, which are sometimes violent in nature, the dogs are trained to get their owners safely to the ground, stay by their side and summon help or retrieve a phone.
"Seizure response dogs represent the fastest growing request we receive and we're really driven to help these people," said Jennifer Arnold, founder and executive director of Canine Assistants.
UCB Pharma, Inc., and Canine Assistants have entered into a multi-year partnership to sponsor seizure response dogs for epilepsy patients across the U.S. Under the sponsorship, UCB will provide support through Canine Assistants for the care, training and lifetime veterinary costs for all dogs given to epilepsy patients.
"As The Epilepsy Company, UCB recognizes that patients with epilepsy experience emotional, social and physical life challenges that cannot be addressed by medication," said Rich Denness, Vice President and General Manager, CNS Business Unit, UCB Pharma, Inc. "UCB understands the value of treating the "whole" patient and we are thrilled to have a partner like Canine Assistants that allows us to make a very personal commitment to the epilepsy community."
Epilepsy, which affects 2.7 million Americans, is difficult to treat. This lifelong battle can be emotionally taxing and affect everyday activities, which can lead to depression, anxiety and loss of independence.
"People with epilepsy can gain full or partial control of their seizures with proper medical treatment, including anti-epileptic drugs. Newer, second-generation anti-epileptics, like Keppra® (levetiracetam), provide physicians and patients more opportunities to find the right combination of medicines to achieve the best seizure control and side effect balance," said Lizbeth de Padua, MD, Neurological Consultants of Kansas City, Inc. and St. Luke's Health System, Kansas City, MO. "However, for patients who do not obtain complete seizure control, the addition of a seizure response dog can vastly improve not only the patient's, but their caregiver's quality-of-life."
Keppra® (levetiracetam) is a medicine that is used to treat partial seizures in adults and children 4 years of age and older with epilepsy. It is used with other seizure medicines to help control your seizures. Keppra® may cause the following serious problems in adults: extreme sleepiness, tiredness, and weakness; problems with muscle coordination (problems walking and moving); and mood and behavior changes. The most common side effects with Keppra® in adults are sleepiness, weakness, dizziness, and infection. Keppra® may cause the following serious problems in children: extreme sleepiness, tiredness and weakness; mood and behavior changes. The most common side effects with Keppra® in children are sleepiness, accidental injury, hostility, irritability, weakness. These are not all the side effects of Keppra®. If you get any side effects that concern you, call your healthcare provider. You can get more information about Keppra® at www.keppra.com or by calling 1-800-477-7877.
For more information about epilepsy and epilepsy management visit www.ucbepilepsy.com.
Since 1991 Canine Assistants, located in Alpharetta, Georgia has been providing assistance dogs at no cost to people with disabilities including epilepsy. The patients are selected based on their individual needs and the services the dogs can provide. For more information about Canine Assistants visit www.canineassistants.com.
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