Lacey Curry from Elkhart, Indiana, has achieved numerous American Kennel Club (AKC) titles with her 3-year-old Australian Shepherd, “Drive.” However, what truly sets Drive apart is not his competition success but his role as a seizure alert dog for Curry’s other Australian Shepherd, “Torch,” who has idiopathic epilepsy.
Drive was not initially trained as a seizure alert dog. Nonetheless, from an early age, he began showing signs that he could sense Torch’s seizures. While Curry was competing with Drive in dog sports, she learned to recognize his alert signals, which not only rekindled her passion for dog sports but also helped manage Torch’s condition.
A Shift in Focus
In July 2018, Torch, then two years old, was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. Curry, who had been actively competing with Torch in various dog sports, faced the challenge of adapting to this new reality. She spent nearly a year exploring how Torch might return to competition but ultimately realized it was no longer feasible due to the severity of his condition.
“The diagnosis was hard to accept,” Curry says. “I loved competing, the people, the atmosphere, and the camaraderie. When I realized that Torch wouldn’t be able to compete anymore, I started considering getting another male dog to compete with.”
Finding Drive
Curry’s involvement in the dog sport community led her to Drive. Through her connections, she met Maria Neff, a handler for Dr. Jill Thompson of Kingman Australian Shepherds. Occasionally, Neff would ask Curry to assist with showing dogs when she had scheduling conflicts.
One of these dogs was “Tate,” a female Aussie with an outstanding temperament. Curry expressed interest in Tate but was informed she was not available. In 2020, Curry saw a Facebook post about Tate’s upcoming litter. Within 15 minutes, she reached out to Dr. Thompson, eager to be considered for a puppy.
The litter, named after potatoes, had five puppies. Curry initially favored a puppy named “Russet,” but Thompson suggested looking at “Spud,” a little black puppy. When Curry visited the kennel and met Spud, she felt an immediate connection and decided to bring him home.
From Puppy to Competitor
Naming Spud was a personal journey for Curry. After her father passed away in 2019, she wanted a name that honored him. Inspired by memories of attending Kenny Chesney concerts with her father, she chose the name “Drive” after hearing Chesney’s song “The Road and the Radio.” This song resonated with her emotions and experiences, leading to Drive’s official name, Kingman’s The Road and The Radio.
Curry enrolled Drive in dog training, eventually participating in AKC Rally, Obedience, Agility, Lure Coursing, and Dock Diving. Drive particularly enjoys Agility and Dock Diving, showing a strong affinity for water.
A Surprising Role
By the time Drive arrived at Curry’s home, Torch had been managing his epilepsy for two years. Despite ongoing challenges with Torch’s seizures, Drive began to demonstrate an instinctive ability to alert Curry when Torch was about to have a seizure. One early incident involved Drive barking and nudging Curry before Torch began seizing, prompting Curry to take immediate action.
Achievements and Companionship
Despite being limited to summer competitions due to her role as a middle-school counselor, Drive has achieved numerous titles in various dog sports. Known for his playful and sometimes mischievous nature, Drive has earned accolades in Conformation, Rally, Trick Dog, and Dock Diving, with his favorites being Agility and Dock Diving.
Curry acknowledges Drive’s sensitivity and strong bond with Torch. Drive’s attentiveness and ability to sense Torch’s needs have become a crucial part of managing Torch’s condition. “If Drive is calm, everything is fine. If he’s concerned, we should be too,” Curry explains. Drive’s alerts often help Curry manage Torch’s nighttime seizures.
A Team Effort
Torch accompanies Drive to all his competitions, serving as his “Best Friend, Support System, and No. 1 Cheerleader.” In return, Drive provides invaluable support and companionship to Torch, underscoring the deep bond between the two dogs.
