Coal, a 3-year-old Black Lab and Delta Society certified medical assist dog, becam a full-time member of the Cutting household last Friday, when the family picked him up from trainer Hal Steiner at Rocky Mountain Command Dogs.

Coal can sense seizures up to 45 minutes in advance by detecting hormonal changes in Dale's body trough smell, so he can take steps to be in a safe place and/or to prevent the seizure. In a tv interview, Dale's father was quoted as saying the dog had reduced incidents of seizure from over 20 down to a handful or less.

Family Hopeful Black Lab Can Help Detect Youth's Seizures 

The Cuttings found out about seizure dogs from a program on the Discovery Channel. They looked through the phone book and selected Hal Steiner and Rocky Mountain Command Dogs, the only Delta Society dog trainer in the area.Coal will be a Delta Society certified assist dog, the acknowledged national standard. With this certification, Coal will be able to stay at Dale's side wherever he goes.

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