Celebrating Sydney — A Migraine Alerting Dog
If you get migraines, you know they’re more than “just a headache.” Attacks can be disabling and catching and treating them early can be the most effective way to minimize down time. As you know, we’ve recently published some eye-opening research in the ability of dogs to alert their owners to impending migraines — providing important opportunities for early detection and treatment.
Dr. Barbara Willis recently got in touch with me to let me know about her migraine-alerting dog Sydney. She agreed to let me share her inspiring journey with you.
Here’s Barbara’s story:
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I have a service dog specially trained to alert to migraines, named Sydney. She has been with me for 10 years. The trainer trained Sydney by smell and whenever I get that smell she alerts me. Usually she gives me about a 40-minute warning.
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I couldn’t live without her because the visual aura I get is blinding for up to 3 hours. With Sydney at my side, I was able to complete a PhD and am now working full time.
3 Responses to “Celebrating Sydney — A Migraine Alerting Dog”
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Is there a way I can get in touch with Dr Barbara Willis? Having a migraine alert dog myself, I would love to learn more about her migraine alert dog.
I will share your information with her. Thanks!
Will send her your contact info. Good luck, keep me posted, and please take our new online migraine impact survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/migraineimpact