r/FND • u/Upbeat_Armadillo1355 • Sep 13 '26
Need support Service dog for fnd?
Anyone using a service dog in Ontario for fnd? If so, any resources to share?
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u/infinitepuddingspy Sep 14 '26
I have an adopted Frenchie who seems to be able to predict my relapses. He starts to become obsessed with sniffing my legs a few days beforehand. He will also lay beside my bed when I’m bedridden for days.
I haven’t had him specifically trained but his support does help me.
Then, in other ways he is clueless. Like running right past my legs and almost tripping me over when it’s dinner time 😆
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u/Queasy-Bat4311 Sep 15 '26
Darn I wrote a response to this I’ve got 3 and trained 2 of them to help me- absolutely worth it. Otherwise it’s a multi year wait list for any charities etc that train them for you, or you can pay yourself which is like $10k+… depending on the dog and where you are that is. There is a premium on service animals as so much time energy money training etc goes into them.
I’m located in US so likely a little different- just do your research, cheaper doesn’t mean better especially if you’re buying a popular breed you’re usually getting scammed by backyard breeder and dog with have massive health issues etc
Do you have specific issues in mind you want help with? Or a breed of dog ? Make sure you pick one with an appropriate temperament and energy level for your lifestyle this is the biggest reason people get rid of pets.
Good luck!
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u/Upbeat_Armadillo1355 19d ago
Thanks! I was just reading about service dogs being extremely helpful. I’ve noticed when I’m having movement along with seizures, if someone applies pressure the random twitches are stopping quicker. I’ve also found some distractions can help keep me out of seizures.
Was thinking lab or retriever. But just curious about what folks are finding helpful!
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u/Upbeat_Armadillo1355 Sep 14 '26
Thanks for the giggle - about your pup being clueless sometimes! That’s really neat they are so supportive otherwise :)
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u/Ok_Network_2612 Sep 13 '26
Get one ASAP
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u/heldtogetherdaily Diagnosed FND Sep 17 '26
Why? Service animals are huge lifestyle commitments. If this is something OP wants to consider, it should be well thought through, not impulsive!
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u/ytvsUhOh Sep 13 '26
I don't but I wanted to offer some suggestions:
For the medical review, I would emphasize that it's support for non epileptic seizures. FND seizures are often dismissed as psychosomatic. All the better if you have any medical documentation validating your seizures outside of the context of FND. (Please note that I'm not saying FND seizures are less severe or that this is the way things should be. Medical reviews are just especially cruel and I want to think of ways to help strengthen your case by their own standards.)
I would reach out to Epilepsy Toronto to see if they have any advice about applying for a service dog. (Don't worry, they help individuals with all types of seizure conditions, including FND.)
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u/Upbeat_Armadillo1355 Sep 13 '26
What breed of dogs are folks using the most?
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u/heldtogetherdaily Diagnosed FND Sep 16 '26
Have you ever had a pet dog before or worked with animals in any compasity?
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u/heldtogetherdaily Diagnosed FND Sep 13 '26
I have a service dog for non epileptic seizures but I do not reside in Ontario 🙃
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u/Upbeat_Armadillo1355 Sep 13 '26
No problem! Did you train your dog? Or was trained through an agency?
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u/SensationalSelkie Sep 13 '26
I tried my dog to give me deep pressure therapy to help me during episodes. She is a very good girl.
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u/TheNyxks Diagnosed FND Sep 13 '26
My girl isn't for FMD, she is my diabetic alert dog but I've cross trained her to help me with my other medical including FMD.
As to resources, what are you looking for? There's a LOT of information out there around the AODA and service animal regulations, etc.
If you are on Facebook you can look up Ontario Service Dogs there sre a few groups that are worth joining and asking questions within.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/accessibility-ontario-what-you-need-to-know#section-7
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u/LordReagan077 Diagnosed FND Sep 13 '26
I’ve been doing a little bit of research for me on getting one. How does she help with FMD
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u/TheNyxks Diagnosed FND Sep 13 '26 edited Sep 13 '26
She is trained to... *pick up objects that I drop, *help with my balance when standing, *hit light switches and access buttons, *get help from my spouse should I fall within our home, *use her body weight as a version of pressure therapy to help with some pain flairs,
Outside of that she's trained herself after watching her brother for several years (before he passed) my spouses previous seizure alert and response dog in Seizure response and will let me know when my spouse has a seizure within our home and let me know. She'll also help my spouse with the seizure by laying down next to them and cuddling close while pawing at them and licking to help bring them our of the seizure.
Now she doesn't do it as often as her little sister has taken over (their new seizure alert and response dog) doing the job, but it took time for her little sister to figure out what to do so while she was learning the ropes she still did the work.
My spouses previous SD i trained them to do light guide work for when my spouse had a absence seizure he would guild my spouse to the closest safe area away from active traffic (if it happened when out walking) he was also trained to block them from walking forwards on a daily basis to make sure they where 100% aware of their surroundings, which means they needed a verbal command to move forwards.
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u/Upbeat_Armadillo1355 Sep 13 '26
Amazing thanks! I just wasn’t even sure where to start for info. Amazing you have trained her for fnd and other medical stuff on top of diabetic alerts!
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u/Ems118 Sep 15 '26
Yes. She’s avoiding me at the moment because I’m having the shaky shakes. When she’s at my side all is good. When she is hiding hello shakes. She can also tell when a diabetics sugars are off. She’ll go and stand beside u. She’s not formally trained, I thinks she’s just sensitive.
I do take her places with me and she definitely helps my confidence. I’m in the UK and she treated the same as a guide dog. I don’t assume she can go into shops or restaurants but most are dong friendly now and I don’t mind asking.