It may have sounded like an unusual prescription, but for a Rochester area family, and thousands of others facing neurological disorders, dogs are becoming a popular and effective management tool. These K-9s are not pets. They're specially trained working animals, but the bond between the dog and patient breaks the confines of a simple working relationship.

"She's more than just Devyn's dog,” said Heather Pereira.

Whether it's instinct or training, the Pereira Family’s Bouvier, Hannah, has a unique connection to the family and four-year old Devyn.

"What Hannah has done is given Devyn a sense of independence," Pereira said.

Hannah rarely leaves Devyn's side. She helps her to get on the bus to pre-school in the morning and helps her take an active role in class when Devyn gets there.

"The dog helps her do tasks that are part of the instructional activities. She [Hannah] provides her with security if she's having a medical issue. She's been a real asset to our classroom," said Pereira.

Devyn has a rare neurological disorder called Angelman Syndrome.

"Anglemen's is kind of a combination of Autism and Epilepsy," Pereira said.

She takes a cabinet full of medication to control her seizures, but there's only so much pills can do.

"She always has seizure activities. That's what keeps her up all night long. She only sleeps four hours a day and that's with medication," said Pereira.

Devyn's behind other kids her age developmentally and is completely non-verbal. To better alert her mom Heather to Devyn's seizures at night, and to better help Devyn integrate into a school setting, doctors recommend a medical service dog.

"You have a 50/50 shot with any dog you pick up," said Tiffany Denyer of Wilderwood Service Dogs.

Wilderwood Service Dogs is a non-profit agency in Maryville, Tennessee that trains dogs specifically to help patients, and those who care for them, manage all kinds of neurological disorders from Autism to Alzheimer's. Through intensive training that starts when these dogs are just puppies, these animals learn how to break a fall and how to alert to distress. Hannah was specifically matched to Devyn.

"She had to be a very stable dog, to be very in tune to Devyn, for balance in addition to breaking falls," Denyer said.

Medical service dogs aren't cheap. They cost about $12,000. Costs not covered by insurance. Wilderwood says the first step would be establishing a state or federal agency to license these dogs.

"Until there's a standard, insurance companies won't pay or have any proof that this dog has met the standard," said Denyer.

Through fundraising efforts started through the website www.dogfordevyn.com Devyn's mom was able to pay for Hannah's services. It's a pairing that's kept Devyn out of danger.

"Hannah Gives Devyn that boundary. She knows when the tether's on she can only go as far as the tether," Pereira said.

Beyond safety, Hannah has given Devyn something unexpected: a chance to socialize with others, to step out of her comfort zone and interact with the world around her.

"I don't think we really knew what she could do. Just because she was so caught up in the restrictions her body had on her. Now some of those are removed and we can see the real her," Pereira added.

As well as Hannah and Devyn have worked together, Devyn's mom warns that Medical Service Dogs are not for everyone. Hannah needs 30 minutes of intense exercise every day and taking care of all of the dog's needs isn't easy.

Since Devyn wakes up every 90 minutes at night, her family is trying to find overnight nursing services. For more on that effort, or to learn more about Devyn's story click the links below.

Dog For Devyn

Wilderwood Service Dogs