Assistance Dogs for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a complex condition that affects how the brain and body communicate. People living with FND can experience a wide range of symptoms, including seizures, limb weakness, mobility challenges, tremors, and difficulties with speech or coordination. These symptoms can be unpredictable, often fluctuating in intensity and frequency — making everyday life uncertain and sometimes frightening.

Assistance dogs can provide life-changing support for individuals with FND, offering both practical help and emotional stability. They not only enhance safety and independence but also bring comfort and confidence to daily life.

What Is FND?

FND is a neurological condition where the brain’s normal control of the body’s movements and sensations is disrupted.

Although the brain structure is typically normal, the communication between the brain and body isn’t working as it should.

Because these symptoms can resemble other neurological conditions, diagnosis often takes time and requires a multidisciplinary approach — involving neurologists, physiotherapists, and psychologists.

Common symptoms include:

• Functional (non-epileptic) seizures

• Limb weakness or paralysis

• Tremors or spasms

• Loss of balance or coordination

• Fatigue and cognitive difficulties

• Speech and swallowing problems

How Assistance Dogs Support People with FND

Every FND experience is unique, so each assistance dog is trained to meet their handler’s specific needs. The goal is to improve safety, independence, and emotional wellbeing through tailored task training.

Some of the most common support tasks include:

🐾 Alerting and Response

• Detecting and alerting to functional (non-epileptic) seizures, fainting spells, or collapses.

• Guiding their handler to safety before a seizure or helping them lie down.

• Staying beside the handler during or after an episode, providing comfort and deep pressure therapy.

• Fetching medication, alerting family members, or activating an alarm system.

While some organisations claim that dogs cannot be trained to detect non-epiletic seizures, our experience has proven otherwise.

Headed by expert scent detection trainer Mike Newland, our team has successfully taught dogs to detect functional seizures up to 20 minutes before they occur.

Through specialised scent detection techniques and conditioning, these dogs can recognise the subtle biochemical and behavioural changes that happen before an episode, allowing their handlers crucial time to prepare, sit down, or seek help.

🐾 Mobility and Stability

• Providing gentle counterbalance support while walking.

• Picking up dropped items or opening doors.

• Assisting with transfers or helping the handler rise safely from the floor after a fall.

🐾 Emotional and Grounding Support

• Interrupting dissociation or panic through nudging or tactile stimulation.

• Providing deep pressure therapy to reduce anxiety and regulate sensory overload.

• Offering a calming, grounding presence in stressful environments.

🐾 Daily Living Assistance

• Fetching water, remote controls, or medication.

• Turning lights on or off.

• Helping with dressing by tugging at zips or sleeves.

Training an Assistance Dog for FND

Our Online Assistance Dog Programme supports both new and experienced owners through every stage of training — from puppy foundations to advanced task work and public access.

Training for FND assistance dogs includes:

• Confidence building in varied environments.

• Calm, reliable obedience under distraction.

• Focused task work such as seizure alerting, deep pressure therapy, grounding, and response tasks.

• Preparing for Public Access Testing, ensuring dogs meet or exceed internationally recognised assistance dog standards.

You’ll receive step-by-step video tutorials, live trainer support seven days a week, and the option to join weekly Zoom check-ins for personalised feedback and guidance.

Owner-Trained and Professionally Trained Options

You can choose to train your own dog through our online programme, or have your dog professionally trained via our Trained Assistance Dog Programme.

We welcome all breeds and do not impose waiting lists or neuter requirements. What matters most is the dog’s temperament, willingness to learn, and ability to remain calm and focused in public.

A Life-Changing Partnership

For individuals living with Functional Neurological Disorder, an assistance dog can mean more than just practical help — it’s a partnership that restores freedom, confidence, and peace of mind. With expert guidance and positive, force-free methods, we’ve seen first-hand how these dogs can transform lives.

If you’re living with FND and want to explore assistance dog training, our team is here to help you get started — whether you’re training your own dog or looking for a fully trained companion.

👉 Find out more about our Assistance Dog Programme and start your journey today