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Nadine Wimmer reportingA Holladay boy hopes to be among the state's first to receive a support dog that can help with his epileptic seizures. It's yet another way dogs are providing a life- line, in this case for a toddler.
Four-year old Spencer Smith campaigns to raise money for kids in need at Primary Children's Medical Center. Now he's the one who needs help.
A specially trained dog could give him back his childhood.
Spencer Smith lassoed plenty of hearts when he helped raise donations for the Primary Children's Medical Center telethon.
Now his pitch is more personal. Epileptic seizures--sometimes 30 a day--landed him extensive stays in the hospital, forced him to eat a restrictive diet, and required him to sleep at his parents' side, even though he loves his new big boy bed.
Spencer Smith: "This is my bed with the strings on it and see, this is the covers."
Noni Smith/ Mother: "The dream is that he will be safe in his room and we will feel safe having him there."
That dream could come true with the help of a specially trained dog. Initially, the dog would respond to verbal commands like "help" at the onset of a seizure.
Then the dog would push an alarm for Spencer's parents.
Noni Smith: "We'll be able to hear it and run instead of being beside him all the time, because that's just not a normal way for a kid to live."
Eventually the dog may be trained to sense oncoming seizures. But Spencer's parents also hope the animal will simply brighten a four-year-old's difficult life.
"This dog will be a best friend to him, a comfort to him, and some comfort for us to know he's not alone in there, that he's got some support."
"Something more than just hospitals and doctors' offices and seizures and yucky food, and all the horrible things he's had to deal with. We just want something happy for him."
Once the family raises the training money, Spencer will be paired with a dog that he's not yet seen, but already imagines.
"He's a special dog."
If you'd like to learn more about seizure support dogs or help the family get one, click on the link in the box at the top of the page, or send donations to:
4 paws for Ability
253 Dayton Ave
Xenia Ohio 45385
(If the name Spencer Smith is put on the memo portion of a check credit goes to Spencer's account)
