Dogs 4 Diabetics

Published

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I met a woman today from the San Fransisco Bay area who had two beautiful labs with her. She is a trainer for Dogs 4 Diabetics

http://dogs4diabetics.com/

They specially train service dogs to detect low blood sugar in diabetics and alert the person to check their blood sugar. She explained the training method. Apparently these dogs are able to smell low blood sugar from the diabetic's sweat and when it gets down to around 80 the dog will alert it's human, after the training she does. Cool, huh?

They are located in the San Fransisco Bay Area, but send their dogs all over the nation to diabetics of all ages, 12 and over. Not only does the dog provide this service, but it provides emotional support through this special friendship.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

What a wonderful thing! Prior to starting NS, I spent five years doing scent work with dogs, as a volunteer. Their noses are amazing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

That is absolutely amazing.. I am so impressed by these things, Thank you for the info!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Dogs are such wonderful animals!!! The lady with whom I spoke told me that they will be expanding their program into Oregon. They are affiliated with Guide Dogs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

One of my daughter's pre-school classmates (she is now 10 years old) recently received funding for a diabetic companion dog. I'm not sure when she was diagnosed. She was not diabetic during pre-school, and we have since moved away from the area and lost touch. A friend e-mailed me the article outlining her brittle disease and tendency for seizures when her blood sugar drops. Her parents requested the dog so that she could attend school without the need for constant adult supervision. I will be interested to learn how the dog will be integrated into the school setting and her IEP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care transport.

I'd LOVE to see dogs active with any type of care for humans. There is so much potential in the nose of a dog and the security of a heavy dog chin in someone's lap.

If I had a paper cut, I'd still want to see a dog :-) I had a standard poodle I took to a nursing home, before I decided to go to nursing school. I figured if I never got into nursing school, I'd happily volunteer my dog to go on her visits.

I think it's great.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

This woman told me that the diabetics can take their dogs anywhere, just like a guide dog. She said that previously they offered the dogs for children as young as 9 years old, but upped it to 12 because the younger ones weren't as mature.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

That is real cool!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for sharing this. This sounds like a wonderful project that could help promote a wonderful sense of normalcy for a lot of diabetics, particularly the teenagers that don't want to have an adult around all the time, as well as that little extra sense of security for the parents of these same teenagers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Not only that, it would do a whole lot to make the diabetic kid into a sort of celebrity among his/her peers by having a cool dog around. That would offset the hassle and sense of differentness of being a diabetic.

The companionship of an animal is such a plus!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've heard of these dogs but than I'm in the animal business. These dogs are allowed the same access as a seeing eye dog as far as being allowed into restaurants, stores, etc. I have a seizure alert dog who is wonderful. She alerts about 20 minutes before I have a seizure. I haven't had a major seizure in years because when she alerts I can take a clonopin and decrease my chnces of a seizure happening. She is also trained to go for help should I have a seizure. It's true DOGS ARE WONDERFUL!!

Fuzzy:pumpiron:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I've heard of these dogs but than I'm in the animal business. These dogs are allowed the same access as a seeing eye dog as far as being allowed into restaurants, stores, etc. I have a seizure alert dog who is wonderful. She alerts about 20 minutes before I have a seizure. I haven't had a major seizure in years because when she alerts I can take a clonopin and decrease my chnces of a seizure happening. She is also trained to go for help should I have a seizure. It's true DOGS ARE WONDERFUL!!

Fuzzy:pumpiron:

wow.

that is amazing.

and i agree, dogs are the best, absolute BEST!!!

i love 'em more than most people.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion