Girl, 9, whose epileptic fits are triggered by LAUGHTER, has pet dog that predicts her seizures

A girl whose epileptic fits can be triggered by her own laughter has forged a bond with a dog named Elmo who can predict her next seizure.

Millie Webb, nine, from Cheshire, has refractory epilepsy, which means heightened emotions such as happiness can cause a fit.

She suffers about 50 fits each day.

If she is left alone, a fit could be fatal, as a seizure could result in a serious brain injury or cause her to choke on her own saliva.

Her past seizures have been set off by things like birthday parties and splashing around in a paddling pool.

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Millie’s father, Stuart Webb, 45, said: “Having lots of fun, such as having a fantastic time playing with her friends at a party, and laughing can trigger a seizure.

“Sometimes we just want her to sit and watch TV but she loves the outdoors and wants to be outside with her friends on her bike and her roller skates.”

Millie has tried 12 different kinds of medication in the past five years since her symptoms first appeared but the number of seizures hasn’t decreased.

Her mother, Linda, said: “Millie is amazing, she doesn’t stop. She has this amazing strength and doesn’t let the epilepsy get her down.

Millie with her pet dog, Elmo (Picture: Caters)

“As soon as she’s able to get up after a seizure she does - she just wants to be normal - and as much as we can we try not to stop her.”

Millie has formed what could be a life-saving bond with the family’s one-year-old pet dog Elmo, who appears to be able to predict her fits before they happen.

When she had a fit in a paddling pool this summer, Elmo dragged her out of the water.

And when she goes into a convulsive seizure, her wailing noises draw the dog’s attention.

She will lick her face to stimulate her and bring her round, while also removing excess saliva and preventing her from choking.

Elmo rescued Millie from a paddling pool during a seizure (Picture: Caters)

In June, when Millie was asleep on the sofa, Elmo climbed up and began to lick her face.

Her mother tried to shoo the dog away but the next thing they knew she had gone into a fit.

“It was the first time we’d seen Elmo alert us to it before the seizure,” said Mr Webb.

The family want to find a trainer that can turn Elmo into a full-time assistance dog.

“We think Elmo’s got the gift to help Millie - we just need someone with the experience to teach her,” said Mrs Webb.

(Main Picture: Caters)