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Last updated: 23 May, 2007 - Published 16:15 GMT
 
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How a poodle has transformed one woman's life
 
Hannah Baker with her dog Milo
Milo has been qualified for 3 months and has built up a close relationship with Hannah.
A woman from the UK who's life has been completely transformed by a special dog has spoken to Outlook on the BBC World Service.

Hannah Baker is a 21-year-old from Essex in Eastern England who has had epileptic fits since the age of 6 - sometimes as many as 80 in a single day.

"It's because of a brain tumour," she explained to Outlook presenter Heather Payton, "I was diagnosed when I was six and had an operation in 1995 when I was nine."

Doctors managed to remove the majority of the non-malignant tumour but couldn't get it all out - which left her susceptible to the fits.

As the fits could occur at any time, she could go nowhere without a carer because of the danger of falling and injuring herself, and she felt she had no future.

"Basically I was housebound before Milo appeared," said Hannah, "Sitting on my bed almost 24/7.

"I have been through all the drugs on the market. I've had a brain operation. I've taken part in a drug trial. And none of them worked to get rid of it completely."

Then 3 months ago her life completely changed. Her mum heard a radio programme about dogs which can be trained to assist people with epilepsy, by sensing that they're about to have a seizure and warning them.

Milo at work with Hannah
Milo works by staring into Hannah's eyes - and can't be distracted when there's something wrong - even by products in a supermarket

Shortly afterwards, Milo, a large white poodle, came into their lives.

"He looks up at me," explained Hannah, "When there is something wrong he will stare and stare and stare. He will not be distracted by food, play or anything like that.

"If I try to stroke him, he will move his head away. It's like 'no I'm trying to do my job. I'm trying to look at you.'"

Scientists aren't completely sure as to how dogs manage to predict seizures but it's thought it might be something to do with pupil dilation or a change in the texture of the skin.

Hannah says that Milo's ability - he's never been wrong so far - has changed her life completely.

"I can have a shower by myself," she said, "I can get up before midday which is when my carer comes. I can get a taxi to the station, get on the train, and go to my hospital appointment - just me and Milo now which is a huge improvement.

"I've gone down to the library with Milo. It's wonderful what we can do now - I've just gone out in the garden just with him, I've been in a house with him by myself. It's amazing."

Hannah says that her confidence in Milo has meant that she's actually been having fewer fits - which Milo might not be too happy about because every time she has a fit, he gets a reward for detecting it.

"I've got a bum-bag round my waist. When I'm in the seizure, he knows he can help himself to the bum-bag cos it's open and it's got doggy treats in it.

"It can be normal doggy treats in there or ham or cheese... it varies."

 
 
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