close
close
hsuses

Service dog interrupts play to alert to impending medical emergency – InspireMore

Theo

Service dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and each is trained to perform specific tasks to help their owner. Some can help reach for things, open doors, get medication, or warn of an impending seizure. When service dogs are “off duty,” they are still aware of their owner and remain alert. While playing with her service dog, Libbi filmed the moment. Suddenly, Sparrow started acting strangely, then went into her service dog alert mode to warn Libbi of an impending fainting spell.

@servicedog.sparrow

*REAL WARNING CAPTURED IN REAL TIME* I was filming my (service) dog playing like a puppy and then after about 5 minutes she suddenly stopped and started acting weird! I tried to get her to keep playing but she refused, she knew something was wrong. It turns out I was heading for presyncope which often leads to long episodes or fainting if I don’t notice or do something fast enough (sometimes that’s not possible either). 🦮 Sparrow is my #servicedog and is trained to respond to tiny changes in my body chemistry (detected by smell) and small behavioral cues/physiological changes and to either *warn* me in advance (like she did here) or *respond* when I’m experiencing a presyncopal episode to relieve the worst symptoms (get water and meds, keep me “conscious”) or help me if I faint (bring me to consciousness, get help from my partner, calm me down when I come to until I can get up). What is presyncope? #Syncope itself refers to fainting. So #Presyncope is, by definition, “before fainting,” the feeling of being about to faint. However, in some conditions, it can occur on its own, without losing consciousness, and last for a long time. Symptoms include: • Nausea/vomiting • Blurred vision/tunnel vision (or loss of consciousness) • Shaking/trembling • Feeling clammy/sweating • Collapsing and weakness in the legs • Heart palpitations and racing heart • Ringing in the ears/muffled (or lost) hearing • Dizziness/lightheadedness • Feeling hot and cold at the same time And many more. It can come on slowly or incredibly quickly, with no warning or in response to a trigger such as heat, standing still, infection, humidity. In short, it is TERRIBLE. Like the worst motion sickness combined with the stomach flu. #Fainting or #Fainting can actually be a relief during presyncope. 😵 #DysautonomiaAwareness #NeurocardiogenicSyncope #VasovagalSyncope #PresyncopeAttack #ServiceDog #ServiceDogsPlayToo #servicedogtasking #Servicedogalert #esbinichdasproblem #esbinichdasproblem #ServiceDogSparrow #AssistanceDog #AssistancedogTask

♬ Oh no – Kreepa

Sparrow is a golden retriever. She was trained as a service dog to warn of presyncope, or “a fainting spell.” Libbi has health problems that cause fainting spells. When Sparrow senses a seizure is coming, she gives Libbi a warning signal. This allows Libbi to sit on the floor and take steps to prevent fainting. If she is unable to prevent fainting, Sparrow stays with her until she regains consciousness.

Sparrow’s training allows her to detect and respond to changes in Libbi’s body chemistry as well as some physiological and behavioral cues. The service dog can smell subtle changes in Libbi’s scent or detect behavioral cues such as feet tapping or thigh rubbing. Sparrow can retrieve medication and water and keep Libbi on task through interaction. She also notifies Libbi’s partner when he is available.

In the left picture, a service dog stops in the middle of play because he senses something is wrong. The right picture shows him sniffing his handler to determine the problem.
Image from TikTok.

For Libbi, having a service dog means she can live a more normal life without so many worries. Sparrow is always “on duty,” even in play mode. If you see a service dog in public, please do not attempt to interact with the animal unless the handler tells you to. The handler means no harm, but their dog must remain alert in case of a medical emergency.

If you liked it, please share it.

The source of the cover image of this story can be found here.


Related Posts