Author: Jessica Madison

For families living with GM1 or GM2 gangliosidosis, every day is a marathon. These rare, progressive neurological diseases, caused by enzyme deficiencies that lead to the toxic buildup of lipids in the brain and nervous system, have no approved treatments and no cure. But beyond the devastating impact on those diagnosed, a growing body of research is shining a necessary light on another group of people profoundly affected: the caregivers.

Receiving a diagnosis for a child with a disease like GM1 can be overwhelming and life-changing. Parents often experience grief, anxiety, and a sense of loss as their expectations for parenthood and their child’s future change.

Could a service dog benefit your child living with GM1 gangliosidosis? At the 2023 Cure GM1 Community Conference, Brad Wilson, a full-time police officer and parent to Tyler, a child living with Angelman Syndrome, shared the ways a “skilled companion” service dog from Canine Companions benefited his son.