South Minneapolis family launches fundraiser for seizure alert dog for daughter

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Like parents of any toddler, Lauren Stenzel and Iscar Lugo keep a close eye on their daughter Eloise. But the consequences of leaving their two-and-a-half-year-old girl unattended could be disastrous.

“You’re so tired because you’re working around the clock and taking care of the most precious thing, your daughter. So for us it’s a nonstop job,” Lugo said.

Eloise had her first life-threatening seizure when she was just 5 months old and was eventually diagnosed with a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome.

So her parents set up an elaborate monitoring system, including cameras above her bed, motion detectors under her mattress and a device that measures the oxygen levels in her blood so they can quickly detect and respond to her seizures.

“If she had a long seizure and we missed it, her body would not be able to stop it. She would stop breathing. Her brain would stop working and there would be a great chance she could die,” Lugo said.

Now the couple hopes to give Eloise another pair of eyes by adding a seizure alert dog to their family.

They have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $25,000 to purchase and train a red English Labrador puppy they will name Jake to keep Eloise safe.

“At night, when we’re not watching them all night, a seizure dog can detect when something is happening faster than we can, probably even faster than a device they’re wearing,” Stenzel said.

Since there is no cure for Dravet syndrome, Eloise will never be completely seizure-free.

However, her parents are convinced that having a constant four-legged companion will help her lead a more fulfilling life.

“The sooner that happens, the sooner we can have the dog home with us and get used to life and have this new family member that we think will be invaluable,” Stenzel said. If you would like to donate, click here.