But the addition of a dog for mother of three Sheri O'Connell means she can rest easy like never before.

She has had to wake up every hour during the night to check on her daughter Tara.

Suffering from Williams Syndrome, Tara can have up to 80 seizures a day, which means she constantly needs to be monitored.

But relief is in sight thanks to the Bendigo organisation Righteous Pups Australia.

All going well, the family should receive AJ, one of the assistance dogs, in the next 12 months.

AJ, who is almost eight months old, will be able to alert the family when Tara is about to have a seizure.

AJ will also provide additional comforting.

"It's the light at the end of the tunnel, knowing that we'll be getting AJ within the year," Ms O'Connell said.

She and her family made the trip from Melbourne yesterday to catch up with AJ and those who have made his training possible.

"We had done a lot of research and could not find assistance dogs anywhere," she said.

"We were fundraising to go to America for a dog when we stumbled on this program.

"As far as I know, it's the only one in Australia."

Sheri said the benefits to the family would be huge, as her son Sean is partly autistic.

Tara and AJ got to know each other yesterday at Medicare, a major supporter of Righteous Pups Australia.

Medicare has raised $17,000 for the organisation through donation boxes and staff casual days.

"The general public have been so generous," said branch manager Faye Pyke.

"We give them $31.80 and they'll put that dollar eighty change right in the donation box."