Bio. written by: Jenny

I am just an ordinary woman trying to live an ordinary life. However, I have epilepsy with frequent seizures. In December of 2005 the nature, frequency and severity of the seizures got out of control making it impossible for me to continue working my regular job as a registered nurse.

I've had many injuries including multiple concussions from falling when I have a seizure. I continue to have several seizures every week. I'm now on Social Security Disability and trying to make ends meet. Also, living alone has become impossible so I must live with relatives. I would really like to regain some independence.

One day my mother gave me a magazine article about a woman who has a seizure alert dog. As I read the article I began to wonder if such an assistance animal could be of help to me. Perhaps I could be less dependent upon others if I had a dog that could warn me of a pending seizure so that I could get down into a safe position. I started doing research and found all kinds of information on the web - much of it contradictory.

Ultimately I found the Houston Service Dog Meet-Up Group (http://servicedog.meetup.com/96) and attended one of their meetings. They told me of an upcoming event nearby where I could see service dog demonstrations and meet Allie Keaton, a trainer with My Service Dog, Inc. (www.myservicedog.com).

So my sister took me to the Dog Fest in Tomball, Texas on September 29, 2007. We saw the demonstration and met Allie. After that I browsed many booths at the Dog Fest, including some "Rescue" organizations meaning they rescued dogs that might otherwise be put down.

I introduced myself and asked around about dogs that might have the potential to be trained for service. Time was running out so we decided to stop at just one more booth before leaving. It turned out that Lisa Beselt, Founder and President of Houston Labrador Retriever Rescue (www.HoustonLabRescue.com) had already caught word of the lady with epilepsy who was looking for a potential service dog and she introduced me to Clancy, a 2 ½ year old Black Lab that had been tested by a service dog organization that trains guide dogs for the blind. He had previously passed all the tests for a Seeing Eye dog except one. He hikes (lifts his leg to void). I didn't at first understand why that would be a problem. Lisa explained that it wouldn't be a problem for most service dogs but a Seeing Eye dog can't break stride or alter the angle of its body or it would confuse the blind person holding its harness handle. She said they had hoped I would stop by because she thought Clancy would make a great service dog.

So, I went home, talked it over with my parents and other family members, contacted my new friends from the Meet-Up group and talked with Allie from My Service Dog, Inc. We discussed pros and cons and decided to give Clancy a chance. Lisa arranged sponsors for the adoption fee, and many other of Clancy's needs. Allie took me to pick him up from VCA Animal Medical Center (www.vcapasadena.com) which is sponsoring his veterinary care.

Training started immediately.

Lisa was right. Clancy has a wonderful temperament and came with some obedience training under his belt.

Allie worked with me to refine the obedience training and to add some more demanding training so that Clancy could go out with me into public places. She even had us come stay with her for a week to observe and work with us. Clancy took to the training very well and amazed everyone who saw us together. He and I bonded beautifully and he began detecting my seizures almost immediately and alerts me by pawing me if I am already seated. Sometimes if I don't get the hint, he actually will get beneath my legs and lift them up as if to make me lay down. When I am standing he will come round front of me and lean against my legs as if to support me or even block my way to stop me from walking when I'm in motion.

If I catch the hint, at which I am improving, he will brace me as I get down to my knees and then calmly remain underneath me to keep my head from hitting the ground. When I begin to come out of the seizure he will refuse to help me up until he senses I have recovered enough to do so safely. Once I am sufficiently recovered, Clancy will brace me to help me rise.

In short, Clancy is a wonder. Lisa was right on the mark when she pegged him for a potential service dog and Allie's expert training cinched it.

November 2nd 2007 Clancy passed the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizenship test with 100%. That test is a prerequisite to the more detailed Service Dog Public Access test which he also aced on the same day.

I have been truly blessed with a great dog that was already partially trained, accepted further training very easily and has a natural ability to sense when I am going to have a seizure. I am beginning to feel more confident about going out and about not having people I trust around all the time. I am thankful for the Houston Service Dog Meet-up Group, the Houston Lab Rescue group, Veterinary Care Services, and for Allie Keaton of My Service Dog, Inc. Most of all, I thank God for Clancy - an answer to prayer.

However I still need help to finish paying for Clancy's training. If you find in your heart to help me and others like me improve our lives with the help of service dogs, please make a donation to My Service Dog, Inc. in Clancy's name on the Donations Page.

Contact Allie at 713-703-6924 or 936-588-0770.

All of our dogs need donations for their care and training. Please go to Donations page and help us.