Kayle, 12, met his new epilepsy detector dog Luna for the first time this week after the 15-month-old labrador graduated from a 12 month Smart Pups training course to become his epilepsy seizure response and assistance dog.

Almost two years ago the family launched a fundraising campaign to raise the $20,000 needed for an assistance dog to help change Kayle's life, and their own. They were overwhelmed by the generosity of the Ballarat region, with the total reached within three months.

Kayle has severe epilepsy and suffers his worst seizures overnight. He is also non-verbal, autistic, has Angelman-like syndrome, OCD and tics in addition to epilepsy which means he cannot let anyone know a seizure is starting.

That's where Luna comes in.

Luna has been trained to identify the subtle changes that occur in Kayle when a seizure begins and alert his caregivers, can track Kayle if he runs away, and her constant companionship helps calm and relax the Linton lad.

Smart Pups trainer Bec Oakley accompanied Luna from their base in Queensland, spending last week with the family training them how to handle Luna, signing off Kayle's dad Allan Griffin and step-dad Daryl Hughnan as accredited handlers, and helping Luna settle in to her new surrounds.

Within days Kayle was noticably calmer and looking for his new "best friend".

A training trip to Stockland Wendouree proved the difference the dog made to Kayle even within days of her arrival.

"We have been able to get out and he is relaxed in his wheelchair with her being there," mum Christy Cook said. "He's not trying to run away and sat down and ate lunch. We don't normally take him out many places - occasionally we try to come here but normally we get 40 minutes or an hour and he's had enough," Christy said.

"He likes being out in the community but it's too much to take in. Having Luna there to focus on him, and him check in with her, and her check in with him, makes him feel safe and comfortable.

"He's starting to associate safety with her being there."

Through their A K9 for Kayle Facebook page, Ms Cook has been keeping followers, Luna's trainers and foster family in Queensland updated with the pair's progress over the past week.

Ms Cook said Luna would make a massive difference to the entire family.

"It means we can get out of the house. We've been practically housebound for a long time and now we'll be able to enjoy more family time together."

It will also allow Ms Cook to get a proper night's sleep as Luna will sleep in Kayle's bedroom and has been trained to bark to alert her if he has a seizure.

"She can smell the scent of Kayle having a seizure and will bark to let me know ... then she'll stay there to support him through the seizure," she said. "It's a relief to know he's going to be safe."

During a training walk around their hometown of Linton, Kayle was even relaxed enough to get out of his wheelchair and walk.

"Normally in a community area he will drop, he's not happy, gets frustrated and cries so for him to feel safe to get up and walk is a big step for him."

Kayle first met Luna on Wednesday when he got off the school bus.

"He's got his routine so when first get off bus she recognised him, knew that's who she was there for, he looked at her, grinned and went and did his normal routine of settling in to house ... then he was good and allowed her to come to him and put her head on his lap."

"He's aware this is Luna and this is his special friend."

Ms Oakley said assistance dog training started from when the pups were eight weeks old, being socialised to different sights, smells and environments then progressed through six standard modules and a seventh child-specific module related to the child they would be placed with.

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"So for Luna the child-specific tasks include seizure alert, tracking scent, breaking down social barriers and companionship," she said.

During the week-long training with the family, Ms Oakley accompanied them through the household routines, on walks around Linton, to the Victoria Park playground, Stockland Wendouree, Ballarat Base Hospital and other sites the family regularly visit to familiarise Luna with her new surroundings and instruct Kayle's parents on how to guide Luna through her job.

Luna has also been trained with an interaction behaviour, where she nuzzles Kayle if he engages in repetitive behaviour to interrupt what he's doing.

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