Woman Uses Service Rat to Detect Spasms

Dani Moore has severe osteoporosis, spinal nerve damage and also has muscle spasms, but cannot feel when they come on and by that time, it could already be too late as she could be seriously injured by them. But now Dani has a service rat named Hiyo Silver, who knows when she is about to have a muscle spasm and will lick her face to let her know.

What Is Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis can make bones very brittle which can lead to fractures if someone with it falls down, bumps into something hard or in Dani's case, her muscle spasms get so severe she fractures a vertebrae during one. She keeps the rat on her shoulder when ever she goes somewhere so he can lick her face if she is about to have a muscle spasm and she can then take her medicine.

According to ABC News "Back in March, Moore's home city of Hesperia voted to allow all species of service animals into local businesses provided they behave appropriately. Hiyo isn't the only animal believed to be able to sense a human's physical ailments. Studies have shown that dogs may be able to sense when their diabetic owners are having trouble with their blood sugar. Other research has shown that dogs can sniff out cancer."

Rats Make Great Pets
Rats can be trained for all kinds of things, just look at the giant Gambian pouched rats in Africa, they are trained to sniff out bombs. Rats, like any other animals are frequently used as therapy for disabled people and kids in hospitals. It's been proven that animals make people smile and get them in better moods which in turn helps them heal if they are sick.

Any animal, even rats can be trained using rewards. I've had rats as pets for years and have successfully trained them to come when called. Any animal can be trained if given the right incentive and it's done in a positive way, meaning they like what they are doing. Giving an animal a small treat when they are being trained is the easiest and most guaranteed way to help them learn what you are trying to teach them.

Sources:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/womans-service-rat-alert-spasms/story?id=13721547