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3 Epilepsy Patients Paired With Service Dogs Through The Oscar Project

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Highly-trained service dogs are helping people in Pittsburgh who are battling a difficult disease.

The Epilepsy Foundation just paired seizure response dogs with epilepsy patients.

Shayna Pickwoad was paired with her service dog about a year ago. Shadow goes everywhere with Pickwoad and in just 12 months, she's already proved to be life-changing.

"She's been able to help me through seizures by going to get help whenever the seizures are occurring, going to get my mom or someone to let them know," Pickwoad said.

Three more local epilepsy patients were just paired with dogs over the weekend.

"I know at least someone will be by my side if I ever have issues or problems. Just to know there is like a guardian angel by me," Vincent Morz said.

The pairings were possible, thanks to the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central Pennsylvania and a project called, The Oscar Project.

It was launched by a family in 2014.

"Unfortunately, and sadly lost a son, Michael Zupancic, several years ago to complications from epilepsy and they honor their son by providing these service animals," Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central Pennsylvania President Peggy Beem-Jelley said.

The service dogs can do everything from predict when a seizure is going to happen to retrieve medications and even notify emergency responders.

"Having the animals help to make the folks independent and able to get back to participating in life despite the fact that they have seizures pretty much on a daily basis," Beem-Jelley said.

For more information on The Oscar Project, click here.

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