Cindy Bradley’s Chihuahua Inspired Research That Could Change Treatment for Epileptic Dogs

Moxie the chihuahua has suffered from canine idiopathic epilepsy for three years, and pharmacological treatment isn’t helping. Cindy Bradley—her owner and a student at Empire State University—conducted research on alternative treatment methods for dogs who don’t respond to medication. She presented her findings at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCRC) on January 25, 2026, with support from her mentor, Kevin Woo, professor and chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, and funding from the Student Activities Fund. The dog-loving undergraduate is earning her degree in science, technology, and mathematics with a concentration in biology.

What is canine idiopathic epilepsy?

Moxie’s illness is a form of epilepsy in dogs, but what does the term idiopathic mean? Bradley explains that it denotes an unknown cause or origin of a condition. Like in human epilepsy, canine epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder causing sudden, repeated seizures. While it’s considered manageable, there is no permanent cure for it.

The first line of treatment is to provide anti-seizure medications; however, many dogs don’t respond to them. According to Bradley, approximately 20-40% of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy become refractory to medications, meaning that medication becomes ineffective. This leaves them in need of “adjunct therapies” to pair with the primary treatment.

The road less traveled

Medication is not the only treatment option, but it is the most thoroughly researched. Bradley explains that because of the lack of data surrounding “adjunct therapies,” they are not often recommended for patients by canine healthcare providers.

She names a few alternative treatments: dietary changes, medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil, cannabidiol (CBD) oil, acupuncture, and vagus nerve stimulation. These can be used alongside medication or on their own.

Many dogs could benefit from a treatment plan that combines alternative treatments with medication, but veterinarians hesitate to go this route. There is a gap in veterinary research that, if addressed, could change the lives of many dogs suffering from idiopathic epilepsy, and their human caretakers. Bradley got the ball rolling to create a framework veterinarians could use when traditional medication doesn’t yield results: “I gathered all the research I could find on those extra therapies, and put together a plan that veterinarians could look at when treating a dog that’s having epileptic seizures.”

She ran into challenges while researching, including the limited scope of existing research on non-pharmacological therapies for the disorder. The studies that had been conducted had small sample populations and short observation periods. Generally, she noticed a real need for longitudinal studies—research studies that span months, if not years, through which scientists are able to monitor emerging patterns and draw more reliable conclusions. Alternative therapies could be game-changing for dogs with epilepsy, if they are thoroughly evaluated, Bradley reasoned.

Meet the researcher

Bradley officially enrolled at SUNY Empire in spring 2024, though she had been taking classes since the fall 2022 semester. Hailing from North Tonawanda, NY, she had previously earned a bachelor’s degree in teaching and music and a master’s degree in educational leadership. An established public school music teacher, Bradley provides formative music education to elementary-aged students.

 “When I was in high school, I wanted to become a veterinarian, but I was also a musician. I decided to pursue music instead of anything in the sciences, but I’ve always had this tremendous interest in veterinary and medical sciences,” Bradley shares. She began working summers as a veterinary assistant in 2020 and taking science courses across multiple universities to work towards her veterinary technician license, which she has since earned.

Eventually, Bradley made the decision to enroll at SUNY Empire—it came down to the flexibility of online coursework, ability to transfer previously earned credits, and freedom to tailor a degree to her needs. “I’ve taken classes at a lot of different colleges and found SUNY Empire to be the right fit for me,” she says.

With assignments and research projects that enable students to explore the topics they are drawn to, Bradley was able to dive into veterinary-related science and make progress into her desired field.

Moxie’s story

Bradley’s four-year-old chihuahua, Moxie, was diagnosed with canine idiopathic epilepsy at age one, and has suffered from seizures most of her life. “It’s been a very difficult road, because she is one of those dogs where we haven’t found the perfect treatment to slow down her seizure activity,” she says. Managing Moxie’s condition has proven difficult, especially given the unpredictable nature of epileptic seizures.

The experience motivated Bradley to investigate possible healthcare solutions to help other animals. “Seeing how managing the disease affected my own life made me want to do research and someday contribute to helping,” says Bradley.

Support from the university

Guidance from her mentor, SUNY Empire’s animal behavior, ecology, and conservation expert Woo, “was paramount to being able to do the research,” Bradley highlights. Woo provided insight into research methodology, helping Bradley develop and subsequently present the project at the NCRC.

Bradley’s attendance at the NCRC was made possible by the SUNY Empire Student Activities Fund. “It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had as a student,” she says brightly.

The NCRC provided an opportunity to interact with undergraduate researchers across disciplines from all parts of the world— “It was an international conference, so there were students from parts of Asia, Europe, Canada, and from all over the U.S. who came together to present their research. It was so impressive—that was my main takeaway, that the future is in good hands.”

The road ahead

Once she finishes her studies at SUNY Empire, Bradley will continue to pursue biology and veterinary science studies. She loves teaching and learning, and intends to continue exploring animal health and neurological diseases. “I hope that in some way, my work will benefit animals—and people that love them,” she says.