I was doing some research on how to get a companion animal and I came across some info on emotional support animals. I am trying to get my apartment building to let me have my cat here, since having her is calming to me, and my szs have been acting up lately.

Does anyone know where I can get more info? My neuro is onboard if I can find some more research for him to look at.

Thanks!

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Cassie, 25 year old Epileptic. Adult onset E. Keppra, 10mgs Celexa.
"I found Jesus today. He was hiding in my trunk when I got back from Tijuana."

You want my cat? :P

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Absence Seizures for 12 years, diagnosed for 4 of those 12. Was controlled for a year until 2 months ago when breakthrough seizures occurred.

My fun lil' coctail: 225 MG's daily of Topamax and 150 MG's of Lamictal

~*~*~*Certified H.O.P.E. Mentor*~*~*~

Visit the Epilepsy Maine Website- Resources and Support for Mainer's living with Epilepsy!

i have read a book called "paws and effect" this helped me to understand the reaction of dogs to my own seizures. it is a great book you can pick up @ your local book store

I don't know about research, though I have heard of them.
I know that my cats and dog really help me. My dog and one of my cats knows I'm going to have a seizure before I do, and just having a purring cat relaxed in my lap does a LOT for stress lowering.

Browen, you're awful. Poor kitty has an owner that doesn't want it. :P hehehe

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@,--'--,-- Isky --'--,--'@
TLE, Migraines
Articles on E and Related Stuff New articles posted 9/13/08
Sublingual B12, 1000mcg 1x daily - B6, 1000mcg 1x daily
Keppra (generic from Mylan), 250mg Twice Daily until 3/11, then none - Lyrica 100mg Twice Daily
Ativan/Lorazepam as Emergency Med
*We are what dreams we keep. - Kyt Dotson*

No official research here...but my primary my grandma to get a pet for her depression and it really helped her. Granted she got the most annoying bird around.

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mom to 8 year old ds with history of febrile & myoclonics currently absence. current meds depakote... & 2 year old dd so far with no issues other than a brother whom she likes to call "nasty buzzard" which he thinks is funny

The NY Times magazine had an article on *****istance animals a couple of weeks ago. You might find some references in there.

If you can get a doctor to specify a MEDICAL reason for the cat--i.e. "Can tell me when I'm about to have szs"--you are on solid legal ground to have the cat. "I need the cat to stay calm" is, legally speaking, sketchier and can go either way. There was one guy in the article who kept his animal (a parrot) with him b/c it helped keep him calm--he was prone to psychotic rages. I don't know if "stress relief" would necessarily qualify, though. It would probably depend on how much your neuro can...finesse...it.

Check your PMs.

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Proud captain of the Battlestar Epileptica
Seizing the day since 2002
"You should see the way my brain works sometimes." "You have a brain?" (Battlestar Galactica)
My parents are my Heroes

Best of luck in your endeavor, Cassie!

A couple of sites with basic information:

This site is more oriented towards service dogs, but still gives some good advice on how to go about seeking exception to "No Pets" policies.

Better is this site, which includes a little more in-depth info, explanation of your rights under the FHA Amendments Act of 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also includes a sample letter for your doctor to use in drafting a statement to your landlord regarding his opinion and your rights. Also included is an extensive bibliography of references, articles, publications, and books supporting the positive benefits of a support animal.

Hope all goes well!

I know that the adoption of my dog in April of 2008 has had a tremendous impact on me.

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Reality. It's not for everyone.
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Brian--Age 42, diagnosed at 14. Mostly CP's, occasionally a T-C. On Dilantin & now Zonegran & Trileptal. Averaging 3 seizures a week. Lost my job and my driving privileges; My wife, my daughter, my pet dog Tom, and God make it bearable! Philippians 4:13!

I have 2 dogs and 2 cats.....take your pick! ;)



Nah....I wouldn't give them away for anything....even if the cat Ray adopted last November is a menace to the house....she's sweet. She's lucky she's so cute. And the dogs are complete sweethearts I wouldn't give up for anything.

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"My male roommate and I mixed up our nicotine and testosterone patches. He got cranky and hungry. I got a raise and a corner office" -- Karen Ripley
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Phenytoin and Calcium Supplements
Sometimes the old-fashioned cures DO work the best!

No, my kitty terrorist would beat Stella up.

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Cassie, 25 year old Epileptic. Adult onset E. Keppra, 10mgs Celexa.
"I found Jesus today. He was hiding in my trunk when I got back from Tijuana."

I wanted a companion to ride with me, for psychological purposes, on a bus provided (for a fee) for people with disabilities. I started with a letter from my doctor. It was actually easier than I thought.

My brother in law with renal failure got to take his dog with him when he moved into a pet restricted apartment. He just got a letter from his doctor.

The doctor worded mine almost like a medical prescription. The apartment complex has to allow medical treatment...

My dog isn't certified, but since I am legally disabled, all it took was a bit of training and he became a PSD "in training" in no time. I take him with me now to selective businesses and such, but I always call ahead and get permission to bring him in. I've never been turned away. Out of respect, I don't take him into places serving food, but we go to the pharmacy, post office, court house, and hardware store together -- riding the van to get there. Oh, I also take him with me to the mall sometimes. I walk early (before stores open). Having him with me really helps on so many levels.

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Partials and Secondarily Generalized Seizures
Lamictal, 700 mg
Keppra, 3000 mg
Diastat: 20mg as needed
VNS implant: Jan. 13, 2004
Proudly expecting a Grandson in March

Thanks for the info, guys...

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Cassie, 25 year old Epileptic. Adult onset E. Keppra, 10mgs Celexa.
"I found Jesus today. He was hiding in my trunk when I got back from Tijuana."

I have never tried to certify my dog for myself, but (as part of community service) I raise puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and these puppies have almost unrestricted access. I have seen the biggest differences in myself when i don't have a puppy with me. even my neuro told us to keep raising- for me because it is a sure way to have access, and if i chose to then i don't have to explain my condition every time i am in public.

my senior project is raising my current puppy, but my essay is focused on the unconditional bond that dogs and humans form, and the abilities that these bonds have with service animals. if you want i'll post it this week.

anyhoo, i think that it is great that so many of our doctors realize the help animals can give.

edit to add: by the way- anyone who wants a cat, just holler. i have a little siamese who is just begging for a home all her own, without anyone else (human, feline, or canine)

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horses aren't my whole life, but they make my life whole!

lamictal, depekote er, and keppra failed w/ lots of side effects. no more paxil! but on zoloft. trying to convince all my docs that anti-anxiety drugs aren't going to do anything else...

Edited: 01/23/2009 at 09:28 PM by emmyc

I got approved to bring my cat! I'm getting her today! I'm so excited; I missed her so much!

Sorry, Emmy, I'd offer to foster, but my kitty is an "only" cat, too, and can be mean to other animals in her terror-tory, esp. anyone near her mama.

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Cassie, 25 year old Epileptic. Adult onset E. Keppra, 10mgs Celexa.
"I found Jesus today. He was hiding in my trunk when I got back from Tijuana."

I'm glad you got to get your kitty!! Cats are such wonderful companions. My fiance and I have 3 ourselves and I wouldn't trade the for the world, even if I had to get rid of my majestic palms because Little Kitty wouldn't stop using them as a litter box! lol

Animals are great for support and stress relief. When I was 16 I was in a car accident that claimed the life of my best friend and her boyfriend, and I spent 3 days in the hospital with a 6+ month physical recovery time. The weekend after I got home from the hospital my Dad took me out to get another cat. We had one but she had chosen him and really didn't spend much time with me. So I hobbled out on my crutches in my pj's (i lost a lot of my clothes in the accident because i had been staying with my friend for a couple of weeks and the van had caught fire and burned everything). After searching a couple of places I found Tiger.

Tiger would sleep with me on the recliner in the living room (I was unable to sleep in bed laying flat for a few months) and I would wake up to her licking me in the face. She meant the world to me as she provided comfort and companionship during the most difficult time of my life. It is amazing how wonderful animals can make you feel.

When I moved out of my Dad's house I left her with him as it was the only home she knew and she had become attached to his cat. But everytime I went home she'd talk to me and come up on my lap and give me love. Unfortunately a little over a year ago she became mysteriously ill very fast, my Dad took her to the vet.. they took their sweet time getting her blood test results. Her immune system was attacking her red blood platelets and her blood count was extremely low. They gave him medication for her, but it was too late :o( She p*****ed away in my old room behind her cat tree. Saying goodbye to her was as hard as saying goodbye to my best friend. She meant so much to me, I still feel like a piece of me died that day. I actually got a tattoo in memory of her and I always carry her memory in my heart.

Pets aren't just pets, they are family, they are best friends, they are unconditional love even through our darkest times. I don't think everyone understands just how much a pet can mean to someone.

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my fiance has seizures, and he's my everything.

Edited: 01/28/2009 at 02:23 PM by jstar6

guess I will move the spam of the main page by bumping up a few things....

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Brian

Epilepsy Video

Apples of Gold

Heros Page

Pushin spammers off screen is kinda fun!!!

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Brian

Epilepsy Video

Apples of Gold

Heros Page