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Welcome to Austin's Blitz on Epilepsy!  

Austin is a 9-year old boy who has been struggling with epilepsy for two years.  His family has tried many means, traditional, and unconventional, to control his seizures. Unfortunately, the success of the various therapies attempted have been for the most part, short lived. Though Austin is currently on a steady cocktail of medication, and has a surgically implanted device designed to limit seizure activity (known as a "VNS") he continues to seize every night, and occasionally during the day while at school. 

After speaking with Austin, his doctor, school principal, and some wonderful people who train animals to do AMAZING things, we determined that a Austin will be best served by a "VNS trained seizure response dog" for him to take wherever he goes.  The dog will be allowed by law to be with Austin at school, on the bus, on airplanes, public beaches, movie theaters, restaurants, and wherever Austin may want to go. Niko, the companion slated for Austin, will receive custom training specific to Austin's needs.

Niko will be trained to use a device that will "activate" Austin's VNS, which which aid Austin in the event of a seizure.  Should Austin be in a dangerous situation, Niko will bark to alert those around him, and he is is equipped with electronics that will message his parents' cell phones!  This animal will truly give Austin a sense of security and independence he has never been afforded in his young life.  For more information on these amazing animals please visit:  

                                                  http://epstorm.blogspot.com/

 For more information about Niko, the dog slated for Austin, please visit:

http://epstorm.blogspot.com/2011/08/meet-niko.html

The Cambria Family
Mechanicville, NY
mcambria@nycap.rr.com