Dogs have long held a special place in our lives, not just as loyal companions, but as trusted protectors of our homes, families and livestock. Their protective instinct is one of the earliest reasons humans formed bonds with them. While most domestic dogs are no longer fending off wolves, their protective instincts remain strong. Some even find a vocation as service dogs extending their role to emotional and physical protection, guiding the visually impaired, alerting people to medical emergencies and providing support to those with PTSD or anxiety. Indeed, the role of canines can go further than this, as Shelley Brady explains. "New research is looking at how a dog's natural instincts, combined with technology, might help people with epilepsy by predicting seizures and enabling faster intervention." https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2025/0528/1514944-dogs-smell-epileptic-seizures-pawsense/