This month, I had the privilege of sitting down with the Coffin family and their new service dog, Ronald, to talk about their journey and the profound impact he has had on their seven-year-old daughter, Muirgheal, and her experience living with epilepsy.
Muirgheal has a form of epilepsy that does not easily respond to medication. Her body builds a tolerance to treatments, making breakthrough seizures common. She primarily experiences focal seizures, many of which occur at night. For years, this created constant fear and anxiety for her parents, who never felt comfortable allowing her to sleep alone.
Like many families navigating epilepsy, the Coffins had considered a service dog after hearing about seizure alert dogs from others in the community. They researched several organizations but struggled to find the right balance between affordability and a program that felt like a good fit for their family, until they discovered Medical Mutts.
Medical Mutts is a service animal organization that trains rescued dogs to support individuals with disabilities, special needs, and emotional support requirements. Because they rescue dogs rather than breed them, they are able to significantly reduce the cost of service animals. The tradeoff, however, is that families must commit to continuing their dog’s training after placement, as Medical Mutts provides approximately six months of foundational training.
When the Coffins received the call that they had been matched with a dog, they were thrilled. Medical Mutts felt Ronald was the perfect fit due to his exceptional behavior around children, his eagerness to learn, and his overall temperament. The only challenge? Ronald was still a “puppy”, meaning the family would need to continue not only his seizure alert training, but also his basic obedience training.
“He’s like my third child,” Muirgheal’s mom, Ilana, shared. “It’s a real commitment when you’re taking on a service dog.” Despite the hard work, she says the outcome has been more than worth it. Ronald has brought not only a greater sense of safety to the household, but comfort and emotional support for the entire family. “He’s been therapeutic for all of us.”
Before Ronald, Muirgheal’s parents regularly co-slept with her out of fear that she would have a seizure during the night. Now, with Ronald by her side, and a Sami seizure monitoring system, both Muirgheal and her parents have regained a sense of independence, privacy, and peace of mind. Ronald has been key in helping Muirgheal build confidence and develop an increased sense of agency. “They have a beautiful bond with one another,” Jon, Muirgheal’s father, said.
Ronald is trained to sleep with Muirgheal and lie across her body, providing deep pressure therapy when needed. He is also currently learning to recognize scent changes and alert her parents before a seizure occurs, rather than only responding afterward. In addition, he continues to work on essential public-access skills, such as calmly sitting beneath her at a table, so that one day Muirgheal can bring him to school, work, or anywhere else life takes her. Thankfully, Medical Mutts offers ongoing training support as Ronald continues to build skills.
Cost was a major factor in the Coffins’ decision-making process, which is why Medical Mutts stood out not only for its affordability, but also for its flexibility. The organization even offers programs to train compatible dogs that families already own or plan to adopt, expanding access to service animals for those who might otherwise be unable to afford one, allowing organizations like EFCT and Bridge to Cure able to help families like the Coffins. “Getting Ronald would … have been impossible without the Epilepsy Foundation and the help of the Seifert family” said Ilana.
For individuals living with disabilities, a service animal can be life-changing, often making the difference between simply getting through the day and truly experiencing a sense of normalcy, confidence, and freedom in everyday life.
We are incredibly grateful to the Coffin family for welcoming us into their story and for openly sharing their journey with epilepsy and service dog support. Their willingness to educate and inspire others helps shine a light on the many options available to families navigating similar challenges. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about service animals, seizure alert dogs, or available resources, the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut is here to help. You can contact EFCT to explore guidance, support, and next steps toward applying for a service animal or connecting with trusted organizations.
ROOTED IN HOPE GALA