Alo’s Remarkable Role
I’m Alo, a seizure alert dog, and the story of how I got my name is pretty funny. My best human friend, Liyana, has epilepsy. One day, she was telling her nurses at Boston Children’s Hospital that she was getting a service dog. She had to pick a name and had chosen Alice. But she wasn’t sure what to call me if I was a boy, which I am. One of the nurses joked, “Aloe Vera,” because she was putting that on Liyana’s arm. And Liyana was like, “That’s it!” So at 1 year, 8 months old, I’m the only goldendoodle on the planet named Alo Vera (but you can call me Alo for short).
It makes perfect sense that no one would have my name because no dog has a job more important than mine. In addition to being her best dog friend and a rabid (not literally) Patriots fan, I’m Liyana Hunter’s seizure alert dog. Since I was a puppy, no matter what time of day or night, I’ve always been on the job. I can sense when Liyana will have a seizure one or two minutes before it happens. Even if I’m asleep, my spidey-sense wakes me up and says, “She’s going to have a seizure!”
My bark is the best tool I have to call for help. I make the most obnoxious sound, and boy does it carry—best seizure alarm ever. Liyana’s parents come right away and use the rescue medication I carry with me to help her. When we’re at school, barking can be distracting for the other kids. Instead, I press a button on the floor. It alerts Liyana’s teacher and school nurse through special watches they wear. I’m always on duty. I can’t ever be distracted, not even by annoying birds or other dogs — even the little ones who won’t leave you alone until you say hello. I tell them, “Hey, check out my shirt. I’m this awesome 13-year-old’s service dog.”
Liyana’s Remarkable Achievements
You might think I’m really smart, but what makes me extraordinary isn’t about me at all. It’s that I get to devote my life to the smartest, most generous, and most talented girl in the world. She’s barely a teenager, and Liyana is already an award-winning competitive dancer. You name the dance — tap, jazz, ballroom dancing, hip hop — and Liyana kills it. (Check out the video if you don’t believe me.) I’m always backstage, cheering her on.
When she’s not on the dance floor, Liyana spends all her time helping other people. What started as a toy drive for epilepsy patients at Boston Children’s has grown into her own foundation. Now she donates toys to kids across the country. Liyana’s got style, too. She thought the epilepsy monitoring unit rooms at Boston Children’s were way too boring. So, she and Andrea Lerude, a child life specialist, decided to decorate each one in a different theme. Now they’re working with students from MassArt to paint the windows. All this and she’s only 13!
Alo and Liyana’s Upcoming Adventure
I could talk all day about my best friend, but I have to go. I’m training really hard right now for a very important trip. Liyana and I are traveling soon to Boston for her next surgery. I’ve been practicing at our local airport in Dallas, learning how to go through the security line and board the plane. I’ve almost got it down.
I’m excited to meet her doctors, nurses, and Andrea. Liyana even said there’s a special new place at the hospital for service dogs. I finally get to be there for Liyana when she’s in the hospital. I won’t leave her side, and I’ll do everything I can to keep her safe and happy. Get ready, Boston. Alo and Liyana are on their way!
If you’d like to learn more about the Epilepsy Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, you can visit their website at answers.childrenshospital.org/seizure-alert-dog. And to check out the wonderful work Liyana is doing, head over to ihavedogs.com.