Being a 5th grader is part of the fun of growing up. It is the stage where kids start meeting friends that they keep for life, and it is the stage where they start to become independent. But while other 5th graders are starting to enjoy their independence, 10-year-old Austin Cambria needs someone to constantly look after him.
All this is because Austin is diagnosed with epilepsy, a disorder in the central nervous system that causes abnormal brain activity, resulting in seizures. At a young age, Austin has had to undergo surgery where a VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulator) is implanted into his chest.
The past three years have been hard for both Austin and his mother, Vanessa. But the hardest part about Austin’s disorder is losing his independence. Thankfully for Austin, it all changed for the better when he met Nico, a 4-year-old seizure alert dog.
Instead of having a caregiver follow Austin around, he now has Nico to look after him. Austin and Nico go to school together. According to Austin, bringing a dog with him to school is cool, and in no time, they’ve become inseparable.
Nico responds to Austin’s quiet commands, whether they’re in gym class, in the grocery store, or on family trips, Nico understands what his best friend needs. But most importantly, Nico is there to help Austin when he is about to collapse. One time when Austin was on his way to the library and had a seizure attack, Nico was there to help keep him from falling by staying close to him.
Every week Austin and Vanessa work with Nico’s training. In their training, Austin pretends to collapse. Upon realizing that Austin is having an episode, the loyal pup immediately jumps into action. Nico’s collar has a magnetic device that triggers Austin’s Vagus Nerve Stimulator sending an impulse to his brain that suppresses the seizure. Though Nico is not a cure to Austin’s disorder, Vanessa says that he has given her son hope to have a life that is as close to normal.
Source Christine O’Donnell via Youtube
