COHUTTA, Ga. — Jana Cameron says she hasn’t slept well in six years, since her daughter Anastyn had her first epileptic seizure.

“My biggest fear has always been that she would have a seizure at night while everyone is asleep,” Cameron said. “She’s had one seizure that lasted over 90 minutes.”

Cameron, a first-grade teacher at Cohutta Elementary School, said after that she knew something had to be done. Anastyn is a first-grader at the school.

In March 2016 Cameron and her husband Chad started the #SeizureDogforAnastyn Facebook page to raise money to get Anastyn a service dog. The dog would alert her parents by barking if Anastyn had a seizure. Anastyn also has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and is being tested for autism, her father said.

The family worked with 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia, Ohio. The nonprofit organization places “quality service dogs with children with disabilities and veterans who have lost use of limbs or hearing, help(s) with animal rescue, and educate(s) the public regarding use of service dogs in public places,” it’s website states.

Recently the family, which includes sister Kalynn, a fifth-grader at the school, brought the service dog, Dynamo, to Cohutta Elementary to introduce him to the students there.

“We wanted the students to meet Dynamo and know that he’s a special part of our family,” Emily Varnell, media specialist, said.

Accompanied by her parents and Kalynn, Anastyn walked the red carpet with Dynamo during a Dawg Day assembly. Each week, two students from each class are chosen by their teachers to walk down the red carpet. Teachers rotate students so they all get a chance to walk. Varnell said the assembly was the perfect time to introduce Dynamo, a golden retriever, to the students.

Service dog video

“We want students to understand he is a special dog, specifically trained to take care of Anastyn,” she said. “We’re excited he’s here, but he’s not a run-around dog for the playground.”

Jana Cameron said she’s thankful for the Cohutta Elementary family and the community.

“Chad did some research and found out we had to raise $15,000 just to get on the waiting list,” Jana Cameron said.

Through donations from family, friends, church members and even complete strangers, and by selling T-shirts, the money was raised in 10 days.

“Money just poured in,” Chad Cameron said. “This certainly could not be done without the support of the community.”

Jana Cameron said they had raised all but $500 when a parent left a check for the rest in the school’s front office.

“The city and school is small and everyone knows everyone,” Jana Cameron said. “When somebody needs something we all step up. Our church helped us a lot, too.” The family attends Samples Memorial Baptist Church in Cleveland, Tenn.

Chad Cameron said he was unsure at one point if they wanted to get the dog.

“It’s a lot of commitment, like having another child,” he said. “We were wondering how we would get the money and a guy from church gave us the first $1,000.”

Chad Cameron said a week later they were turning in a contract to 4 Paws. He said from the time of fundraising to picking up the dog in November the process took less than two years.

According to the organization’s website, once the application is complete an interview is done, followed by acceptance and training for the owner and dog.

Chad Cameron said Anastyn trained with Dynamo for 12 days. In the mornings she trained in a park with him, followed by training at the 4 Paws facility.

“She’d work on tracking (search and rescue) in the park, and general obedience, heeling, sitting and manners at the facility,” he said. “A lot of times in the afternoon we would practice in the mall around crowds.”

Chad Cameron said Dynamo is trained in seizure alert so if Anastyn has a seizure he will bark.

“That’s the only time he barks. He’s trained in tracking, like search and rescue, because Anastyn has a tendency to wander,” he said.

Chad Cameron said if Anastyn goes missing the dog will hear “Find your girl” and know what to do.

Jana Cameron said the two already have a special bond.

“She loves him, they are best buddies already,” she said. “Anastyn loves that he sleeps with her.”

Chad Cameron said the whole family loves Dynamo, but has to keep their distance.

“As much as we want to play with him, you have to move back because you want the bond to be between him and Anastyn. It’s hard for all of us,” he said.

Because Anastyn is still bonding with Dynamo, he won’t accompany her to school for at least a year, her father said.

“We want to make sure Dynamo is a help to her, but not a hindrance to others at school,” he said.