Frenchie’s Seizure Would Have Cost His Life, But His Boxer Brother Does Something Unbelievable
When Yogi, a French Bulldog had a dangerous seizure at home, help didn’t come from a human, but from his unlikely hero: Reggie, his Boxer fursibling. With no one else around, Reggie stepped up in the most extraordinary way, keeping Yogi safe until their family returned. (Watch Video Below)
@cbsnews When Yogi, a French bulldog, had a seizure at home with no human around, Reggie, a boxer dog, stepped in for the rescue. Sarah McArdle Strilka said Yogi suffers from “severe epilepsy.” But as soon as Reggie saw him start to seize, he jumped in to help, and Strilka said he was able to keep Yogi alive for three hours straight, despite having only been present for Yogi’s epilepsy attacks once before. “If it wasn’t for Reggie, Yogi would not be alive today,” she said. #frenchbulldog #boxerdog #connecticut #milford ♬ original sound – cbsnews
Camera Caught Reggie’s Act of Bravery
Yogi suffers from severe epilepsy, and he had one of his seizures when the furbabies were completely alone at home for over three hours. The entire scene was caught on a live camera, recording Reggie becoming the true savior.
As soon as Yogi’s seizure began, Reggie immediately sprang into action. He kept on touching and nuzzling him. When the Frenchie lay down on the floor and couldn’t even move, Reggie pawed at him, moved him around, and made sure his brother remained conscious.
CBS News reports on TikTok that according to the the dogs’ owner, Sarah McArdle Strilka, Reggie had only witnessed one of Yogi’s seizures before. But still, he handled the situation like a pro, and it’s all because of him that Yogi is breathing today.
Boxer Won Hearts on TikTok
Reggie’s actions were nothing short of extraordinary. In a moment of crisis, with no humans around, he relied on instinct, loyalty, and emotional intelligence to care for his brother in the best way he knew how. His calm presence and determination likely made all the difference for Yogi.
What he did wasn’t just brave—it was deeply compassionate. Reggie showed the world that dogs are more than pets; they’re protectors, caretakers, and family.
This is why millions of TikTok users can’t help but be awed by this Boxer’s courage and empathy. Shared by CBS News, the TikTok video has gained more than a million likes, along with thousands of comments.
A user called Audrey wrote in a heartfelt comment, “That’s not instinct. That’s not a coincidence. That’s consciousness. That is Love. Animals are not beneath us- they are beside us 🫂🐾✨️”
Meanwhile, Michelle shares her own experience: “Our dog does the same thing when our other dog has a seizure. If I’m asleep, he will wake me up to alert me that our dog is having a seizure. Animals are amazing.”
As pet rescue advocate Rocky Kanaka puts it, “What Reggie did wasn’t just instinct—it was love in its purest form. Dogs like him remind us of the incredible emotional depth our furry companions have.”
Seizure Alert Dogs
While Reggie saved his fursibling purely through instincts and emotional intelligence, many dogs specialize in handling seizures. Epilepsy Foundation in Australia states, “A seizure alert dog is one that has been trained to respond to a seizure in someone who has epilepsy.”
These dogs can be certified through approved training programs to become official assistance dogs, which means they are legally allowed to accompany their handler in public spaces.
People who’ve had positive experiences with seizure alert dogs often say these animals improve their quality of life, boost independence, offer therapy benefits, and provide great companionship.
How Does a Seizure Alert Dog Help?
Seizure alert dogs can be trained to carry out a range of supportive tasks during a seizure, such as:
- Lying next to their handler to help prevent injury
- Positioning themselves between the handler and the floor to help cushion a fall
- Staying close during the seizure to offer comfort and reassurance
- Activating an alert device to notify a caregiver or designated contact
However, it’s important to remember that not all dogs can be trained to perform every task reliably. The success of training depends on many factors, including the individual dog, the person’s specific needs, and the consistency of the seizure pattern.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is a seizure alert dog and what do they do?
A seizure alert dog is specially trained to assist individuals with epilepsy by responding to seizures. They can perform tasks like alerting others, providing physical comfort, preventing injury, and even fetching medication or activating emergency devices.
Can dogs really detect seizures before they happen?
Research has shown trained seizure-alert dogs (SADs) have been known to detect the onset of seizures or signal when one is imminent, giving individuals time to take preventative action.
Am I ready for the responsibility of having a seizure alert dog?
Owning a seizure alert dog means taking on the responsibility of both a pet and a working partner. These dogs require more than just love and care–they need ongoing training, structure, and attention to maintain their skills.
Are seizure alert dogs allowed in public places?
Yes, legally recognized service dogs including seizure alert dogs are allowed to accompany their handler in public places such as restaurants, stores, and public transport under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
