Dogs4diabetics: Service Dogs Alert For Low Blood Sugar
Dizziness. A pounding heart and a racing pulse. Sweating. These are symptoms of severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and for the estimated 3 million Americans living with Type 1 diabetes, preventing it from happening is a life-or-death priority. Unless you check your blood sugar level and take something to raise it, you’re at risk of lapsing into a coma in less than an hour. Obviously, that’s a lot of stress to live with. But with dogs trained to detect the dreaded sugar low, people with diabetes have an ever-ready, always-reliable ally in managing this disease. Hypoglycemia alert dogs have their best friends’ backs, using their amazing sense of smell to sniff out low blood sugar –- and to warn them (or, if the diabetics are children, their parents) well before it reaches that critical low point. So, to the list of astonishing things dogs do for human health — lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, detecting cancer — add sniffing out low blood sugar in diabetics. It’s time for an appreciation of these astonishing dogs, who give their people the confidence needed to face everyday challenges most of us don’t think twice about. Driving long distances, for instance, can be hugely stressful for a diabetic, but with a medical-alert dog along for the ride, it’s a different story. No one appreciates this more than Dogs4Diabetics founder Mark Ruefenacht, who lived in fear for years. But having diabetes didn’t stop him from becoming one of the country’s top forensics technical experts. In his downtime, the lifelong dog lover volunteered as a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, bringing up 20 puppies who would later undergo training as assistance dogs. As a volunteer group leader, Mark often traveled with dogs-in-training to help prepare them for Continue reading >>
Choosing A Dog
Training a Service Dog is a lot of work and a big committment. Choosing an appropriate dog is the most important step. Be Patient. Temperament Don't be tempted to "save" a dog that has behavior or health problems, especially a history of abuse or neglect. If you are serious about training a service dog, this is not the time to rescue a dog with problems. Important temperament traits to look at: Confident vs. Timid -- the dog should show a casual interest in new experiences, other dogs, and new people. It should have confidence around unfamiliar objects or people, children, other dogs, startling sounds; tolerate handling of all parts of its body; and have the capacity to handle environmental change. Work Ethic -- Eagerness to learn, a desire to work cooperatively vs independently, persistence in learning. Secure vs. Insecure -- Service dogs must be able to tolerate stressful situations; they should be easy going and resilient. Calm vs. Frenetic -- "over the top" energy is difficult to control and train through. Gentle vs. Rough People-Centered vs. Environment-Centered -- Service dogs should have a high level of affiliation and attachment towards humans; and sensitivity to the handler without mirroring the handler's moods. Attentive vs. Distracted -- The dog should mostly be paying attention to you, not what is going on everywhere else. Dependent vs. Independent -- A service dog looks to its handler for direction. Needy vs. Aloof -- Is the dog always looking away from you? Not interested? Breed Characteristics Some dogs show very strong breed characteristics, and it can be difficult or impossible to change them. Consider what a dog was bred to do -- Herd sheep? Kill rats? Track game with their noses? Pull sleds? How does that relate to what you want to train the dog to do Continue reading >>
Service Dogs For Diabetics
Most people are familiar with the role of guide dogs and hearing dogs. But not as many people know about the other different jobs service dogs can perform. The specific role we want to focus on in this post is alert dogs for diabetics. A significant concern for people with type 1 diabetes is hypoglycemia unawareness. This condition occurs when someone's blood sugar gets too low but they don't experience any symptoms like shaking, sweating or confusion. The reason this can be so serious is if an individual's blood sugar continues dropping, it can eventually result in seizures or even a coma. A trained diabetes service dog can prevent this from happening. The Power of Scent Because detecting a drop in blood sugar is much different than guiding someone with sight or hearing difficulties, people often wonder how dogs can be trained for this specific type of service. The answer has to do with smell. It's no secret that dogs have an incredible sense of smell. That sense is so powerful that dogs can be trained to recognize very precise scents, including the unique scent a person gives off during a hypoglycemic episode when blood sugar is too low. The same is true for identifying the fruity smelling ketones a person’s body produces when blood sugar is too high. More Information About Service Dogs for Diabetics A diabetic service dog isn't a replacement for checking blood sugar levels on a consistent basis. However, it can be a critical safeguard for someone who regularly experiences hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic episodes without any warning symptoms. The Diabetic Alert Dog University and National Institute for Diabetic Alert Dogs are two organizations that specialize in training service dogs for diabetics. Mixed sporting dog breeds, poodles, Labrador retrievers and golden ret Continue reading >>
Diabetic Alert Dog Training
Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic attacks, both of which can be fatal to a patient's health. During such critical times, it is imperative that a diabetic gets his medications immediately. Most diabetics rely on their families to help them during such emergencies. However, it is impossible to have a family member present with you at all times. Diabetics who live on their own, often find it difficult to get help on time and may have to face serious health hazards. To all such people, diabetic alert dogs can prove to be a blessing in disguise. They can act as your constant companion, alerting you or family members whenever your glucose levels reach an unsafe value. Diabetic Alert Dogs Diabetic alert dogs are specially trained dogs which aid diabetics during critical situations. They can detect abnormal blood sugar levels, which are oblivious to human senses. They are also trained to act appropriately whenever they sense abnormal glucose levels in their handler's body. They respond in various ways, depending upon their individual training. Some dogs may find a human caregiver and alert him regarding the patient's health. Alternatively, some dogs may alert the handler himself. Interestingly, some dogs are even trained to fetch the medication kit of a diabetic. Thus, these dogs can prove to be a great companion for diabetes patients. Diabetic Alert Dog Training Diabetic alert training for dogs greatly relies on the natural instincts of a dog. Most dogs have an impeccable olfactory sense. Thus, they are capable of detecting many smells which we are not perceptive to human senses. Apart from this, dogs also have certain other abilities which help them detect changes in chemical composition in their surrounding. Although, the exact principle upon which Continue reading >>
Diabetes Alert Dogs
Breanne Harris, 25, first encountered a diabetes alert dog when she was a counselor at a camp for children with diabetes. Two people from Dogs4Diabetics, Inc., (D4D) – a nonprofit organization that trains assistance dogs to detect hypoglycemia in people with diabetes – brought an alert-dog-in-training to camp. Every night, the counselors would make midnight rounds to check campers’ blood glucose levels. In the dormitory, the dog tore free from the trainer, ran to one teenager, jumped on the bed, and tried to awaken the girl. “We checked her blood sugar immediately, and her sugar was 32 mg/dl, which is severely low,” says Harris, who has lived with Type 1 diabetes since she was 4. “I was sold at that point and applied for a dog.” Kristen Beard, 24, who also has Type 1 diabetes, got a golden retriever puppy named Montana when she was about 19. One night Montana would not leave her alone as she slept. “He was crying and pawing at me. I was mad because he woke me up, but once I became aware, I thought maybe I should test my blood sugar. I tested it, and it was low,” Beard says. “I thought it was a fluke, but he started doing it regularly.” Now he wakes her at least twice a month to warn about her falling blood glucose. “He just started doing it on his own, and I reinforce the behavior with treats,” she says. Veterinarian Nicholas Dodman recalls a client who had a German shepherd that was afraid of men, including the woman’s husband. The dog would avoid him even if they were in the same room. But one night, the dog woke him. The man realized that his wife, who had diabetes, was becoming hypoglycemic. After that, if the woman’s blood glucose dropped dangerously low, the dog would overcome his fear and wake up the man to help her. “It was the on Continue reading >>
Diabetes Alert Dogs
Tarra Robinson was afraid that she was going to lose her job. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 18 months old, Tarra had recently developed hypoglycemic unawareness, which affects about 17% of type 1 diabetics. Tarra was passing out at work, and once she even crashed her car when her blood sugar dropped unexpectedly. She went on a pump and tried a CGM, but nothing seemed to help. She was still having frequent, dangerous lows. Scared of losing her job and her license, Tarra began to research Diabetes Alert Dogs. It took a year and a half to raise the nearly $10,000 dollars required, and then the training process for Duchess, her Labrador/Golden Retriever mix, began. “I can’t explain what she’s done to my world,” Tarra says. Trainers say that Diabetes Alert Dogs are right 90 percent of the time. These service dogs are “scent trained” with cotton balls of sweat from a person’s body during a low blood sugar. After a period of extensive training, Duchess came home to Texas with Tarra. Now, when she senses a low blood sugar, Duchess knows what to do. First, she will lick Tarra’s hand. If Tarra doesn’t respond by saying, “Glucose” which is the command for the dog to go get the glucose tabs, then Duchess will paw her leg or thigh and eventually her chest. Duchess sleeps next to Tarra at night, and will get on top of her to wake her up if she senses a low. “She doesn’t give up,” Tarra says. “She’s very good at her job.” Science Thus far, attempts to demonstrate that dogs can detect hypoglycemia are based on little more than anecdotal reports. Dr. Deborah L. Wells, Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychology at Queen’s University in Belfast, has studied dog responses to their type 1 owners. Her study, Canine Responses to Hypoglycemia Continue reading >>
Service Dogs That Can Monitor Their Owners’ Diabetes
Hypoglycemia unawareness is a common — and dangerous — condition that can develop in those with type 1 diabetes. This condition means you don’t experience the symptoms most people do when their blood sugar gets too low. Normal symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, shaking, or confusion. At very low levels, you may experience seizures, or go into a coma if your blood sugar is too low for too long. One of the solutions for this condition is man’s best friend: a diabetes service dog. Dogs have a naturally heightened sense of smell that makes them excellent hunters. Professional trainers have learned to harness these skills by training dogs to recognize certain smells. These could include the fruity smelling ketones a person’s body produces when they are experiencing a hyperglycemic episode when blood sugar is too high, or the unique scent a person gives off during a hypoglycemic episode when blood sugar is too low. A diabetes service dog isn’t a replacement for checking blood sugar levels. However, it is a safeguard for those who experience episodes low or high blood sugar, especially if they do not have warning symptoms. There are several service dog-training programs across the country. Examples include the National Institute for Diabetic Alert Dogs (NIDAD) and Diabetic Alert Dog University. These organizations train a dog to recognize the difference between certain scents. This includes the scent a person releases when their blood sugar is high or low. According to Dogs 4 Diabetics, there are two different levels of service dogs for people with diabetes. Medical response dogs for diabetes are trained to respond to signs that an owner may be experiencing low blood sugar levels, once they have become symptomatic. A diabetic alert dog, on the other hand Continue reading >>
Diabetic Alert Dog
There are many tools to use in dealing with diabetes, and the Diabetic Alert Dog is one more tool to add to the toolbox used to help families deal with their child who has diabetes. With the use of a Diabetic Alert Dog the child can gain the independence they need as they grow up and mature and the parents are not afraid to allow them to do so. Here at 4 Paws we place Diabetic Alert Dogs with children who have insulin-dependent Type 1 Diabetes. As with all medical alert dogs, Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to smell the chemical body changes that occur as the insulin levels increase or drop. When a child is experiencing a high or low, their body is releasing chemicals that change their typical scent. A 4 Paws Dog with the right training in scent-based work is able to respond to those chemical changes, at the onset of the changes long before any adverse medical reactions occur, by alerting the parents or caregivers to the change at its onset. The parents and/or child are then able to check their blood sugar level and take appropriate action. Training Diabetic Alert Dogs for children means that we must train a dog that is unique in its ability to meet the needs of both the child with diabetes and the child’s family. Most agencies do not work with children, especially very young children. Here at 4 Paws we have no minimum age requirement and believe strongly in early intervention. In addition to the alert work, these dogs provide a measure of comfort for the child, increased self-esteem and confidence, a distraction during unpleasant medical procedures, and of course companionship. USA WEEKEND recently published an article on Megan Rittinger and her service dog, Pip. Full story . . . Continue reading >>
Training Service Dogs For Diabetics
Not every dog possesses the qualities necessary for success as a service animal for diabetics. The rigorous training programs used to prepare canines for this lifesaving work identify and prepare dogs that will aptly fill the role of alerting diabetics when medical attention is needed. Best Breeds Dogs from the Labrador and golden retriever breeds are most commonly found working as service animals, according to the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners. It's because those breeds are characterized by an overwhelming desire to seek out, develop and maintain strong bonds with human companions. This is a huge plus for a dog destined to have a diabetic person depend on his willingness to focus on the relationship with a human. Other dog breeds showing some promise to work as assistance dogs include Samoyeds and two types of collies -- the smooth coated and the rough coated. German and Australian shepherd dogs also have some potential due to their strong herd mentality, but they must not be prone to nipping when trying to alert diabetics. Scent Training When a diabetic experiences a drop in blood insulin levels, a specific scent is released through the biochemical changes in their body that is easily detected by a dog's keen sense of smell. This is particularly true of Labradors, which have more than 200,000 specific smell sensors that detect scent elements in parts per trillion, according to the Dogs4Diabetics website. Dogs training to assist diabetics are exposed to the scent on the breath of someone experiencing changes in their blood insulin. The dogs are then taught to react to that scent by first staring at the person and then jumping on them gently if the first tactic does not engage the diabetic individual. Another way dogs are trained to alert is by gr Continue reading >>
Top Diabetic Assistance Dog Breeds – Service Dogs For People With Diabetes
Top Diabetic Assistance Dog Breeds – Service Dogs for People with Diabetes According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 10 American adults has diabetes. The CDC estimates that If trends continue, that figure is expected to double or triple by 2050. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a myriad of serious complications. It can cause damage to small and large blood vessels and organs. This can often lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye disease, among other often serious complications. Our best friend, the dog, has always maintained a special intuition into the needs of his people with some recent studies suggesting that the dog played a key role in modern humans becoming the sole human species beating out other hominids, such as the Neanderthals. This virtuous circle of cooperation saw humans and their canine friends get stronger, together, over time. A topic we look forward to covering in a future video. The days of requiring our friend to help us hunt are long gone, but he still retains his close bond with us. A bond, that when properly harnessed, can help us battle a crippling disease. Let’s find out how these Diabetic Service Dogs, often called Diabetic Alert Dogs, are assisting as we fight a growing foe. Let’s get started. But, before we start, take a moment to like and subscribe for more fun, fauna facts. Let us know about your doggy in the comments below. We’ll get the top breeds used as Diabetic Service Dogs in a bit, but first, let’s see how these dogs help their handlers fight an invisible enemy. As a culture, the term Diabetes is a familiar one. Most of us know at least one person suffering from diabetes. But, what is it? Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases that involves high blood Continue reading >>
Service Dogs For Diabetics Or Just Pricey Pets?
WASHINGTON (WJLA) – For people dealing with diabetes, having a reliable tool to signal dangerous highs and lows is key. And many are turning to a new option: alert dogs. But some customers of a Virginia company say the ones they signed up to get are nothing more than overpriced pets. The Flores family of Florida hoped Lotus the dog would offer much more than love for 13-year-old diabetic Joel. His mother, Jovana, told ABC7, “In hindsight, now, maybe I should have been a little bit smarter, but you're looking for any bit of hope.” Hope is something promised on the website of a Virginia company advertising miracles. It’s called Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers. Happy clients who have worked with the company emailed the 7 On Your Side I-Team to tell us Warren’s diabetic alert dogs are "priceless" and a "blessing". Others told us dogs from the company "immediately alert" and "saved my child more times than I can count.” Dr. Jonathan Beach, a physician and a diabetic, is one of the company’s satisfied customers. Explaining his dog’s skills, Beach said, “He is consistent in any time I'm not paying attention to my blood sugar, alerting me. He’s imperative to me in that way.” But there are critics. The Virginia Office of the Attorney General has an ongoing investigation with 30 complaints against the company. The 7 On Your Side I-Team asked to review the complaints, but was told they were still active and not public record. Haymarket resident Michele Hunter is among those who have complained to the AG. She signed an $18,000 contract for one of Warren Retrievers’ diabetic alert dogs. But on our visit to the Hunters’ home, Sugar the dog appeared more interested in playing ball than checking blood sugar. When Hunter’s monitor showed 285, what she consi Continue reading >>
Small Dogs As Medical Alert Service Dogs Are They The Best Choice For Training Your Own Diabetic Alert Dog At Home
Small Dogs As Medical Alert Service Dogs Are They The Best Choice For Training Your Own Diabetic Alert Dog At Home Home / Diabetic Alert Dog /Small Dogs As Medical Alert Service Dogs Are They The Best Choice For Training Your Own Diabetic Alert Dog At Home Small Dogs As Medical Alert Service Dogs Are They The Best Choice For Training Your Own Diabetic Alert Dog At Home Small Dogs, Are They The Best Choice For Training Your Own Diabetes Service Dog At Home? Marianne from the Bridge of the USS Enterprise D wants to know about getting a dog that is less than 40 lbs as her service dog. Small service dogs for diabetes, seizure, narcolepsy and migraine alert work certainly do have their benefits. Over the life of the dog, they tend to cost less to own just due to their reduced daily food intake, cost less in terms of medical care like x-rays, shots, and anesthesia and travel oh so conveniently. Have you ever tried to place a 80lb labardor retriever in your seats footspace of a 747 passenger airplane? I have and its almost impossible and if it is, its not pretty. But given that they have some significant benefits there are some drawbacks to the utilization of smaller dogs for service work. In this weeks Medical Alert Dog Monday Youtube video, I tell you what my opinion is about using small dogs for medical alert work. So after watching the video, whats your opinion on small dogs being utilized as diabetic alert dogs? Leave a comment below and please share this video with a friend. If you would like to see more free content like the video above, be sure to use my Amazon.com purchase links. For each purchase you make with my links you donate a small amount of your purchase to the cause, and the best part is its FREE for you. Continue reading >>
Diabetic Alert Dogs
Imagine spending your days worrying about the possibility of a low blood sugar drop. You have no idea when it could happen and you know that it could trigger a seizure or even result in a coma. Worst of all, your ability to predict these drops has decreased so much that you're afraid to go anywhere, or do something that might take you too far from treatment. What you just read could be the life of a person with Type 1 Diabetes who has developed Hypoglycemia Unawareness. Being exposed to low blood sugar over and over decreases the body's ability to recognize it, causing fewer and fewer symptoms. These symptoms are the body's way of sounding the alarm. Too many times people with Hypoglycemia Unawareness do not know their blood sugar is low until they wake up on the floor after a seizure or in the hospital. Now, imagine that you had someone with you who knows when there is an low blood sugar drop coming. In fact, they know earlier than you ever would have known, even with a fully functioning hypoglycemia alarm. Think of the possibilities: the feeling of relief of not fearing a drop and having the freedom to confidently go anywhere. Imagine if that someone with you was a dog. There is no doubt dogs can do amazing things that improve our lives. For example, we have discovered that dogs have the ability to smell chemical changes in our bodies when someone's blood sugar starts to get low. We can make the most of this amazing ability with special training designed to forewarn the onset of hypoglycemia crisis. With a simple but telling nudge, a trained dog alerts their person to a low blood sugar drop that they did not know was coming. A quick test, a little sugar, and everyone can go on with their day, no crisis, no emergency, just the wonderful feeling of security and independ Continue reading >>
Service Dog Breeds: Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher is a powerhouse of loyalty, strength, alertness and potential. Cited as a breed who can “truly do it all,” the Doberman of today has come a long way from the vicious, intense, hard-to-handle breed it used to be. Now suitable for almost any job, the Doberman Pinscher makes an excellent Service Dog candidate. Doberman Pinscher Basics Originally bred as a guard dog, the Doberman Pinscher is medium-sized, dark and exceptionally powerful. Typically 60 to 90 pounds of solid muscle, a Doberman is physically capable of besting a full-grown man. Dobies stand 24 to 28 inches high (all great heights for brace work or mobility support) at the withers with females smaller than males. The breed possesses exceptional endurance, speed and intelligence. Doberman Pinscher Coat and Grooming Dobermans have two genes for coat color. There is a gene for a black coat and then a diluted coat. Depending on how these genes are combined, four different colors of Dobes are possible. There are black, fawn, blue and red Dobermans. Every variety of Doberman Pinscher is required to have clean-cut, sharp tan/rust accent markings. In the international breed ring, fawn and blue Dobermans are not allowed to be shown and can be disqualified as breeding stock. They also have been proven to have suffer from skin issues. While there are white Dobermans, such dogs aren’t allowed in the show ring and are forbidden by the breed standard. In addition, white Dobies often have extensive health and temperament issues due to in-breeding. Many breeders will cull a white puppy at birth or will provide the puppy with limited or no registration and a spay/neuter contract. The Doberman Pinscher coat is extremely sleek, smooth and shiny. Dobies shed very little which makes caring for their coat Continue reading >>
Diabetes Alert Dogs: Everything You Need To Know
Note: This article has been reviewed by Dr. Dana Hardin MD, and Dr. Jennifer Cattet Ph.D. Many individuals with type 1 diabetes spend their days worrying about the possibility of having a low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia). Aside from frequent testing of blood glucose levels (self monitoring of blood glucose, SMBG), they may experience uncomfortable signs of hypoglycemia such as sweating, shaking, or confusion. These early symptoms of hypoglycemia are helpful, even though uncomfortable, because they help the person with diabetes know it is time to check their glucose level. Once the person checks and learns they are hypoglycemic, they are taught what food or drink to take to raise their blood sugar. If the low blood sugar is not treated in time, persistent hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, blackouts, or even coma. Unfortunately, over time (generally after 5 or so years) a person with 1 diabetes no longer feels symptoms when his/her blood glucose is low. This condition is known as Hypoglycemia Unawareness. When hypoglycemia unawareness develops, the person is at much greater risk for the development of persistent hyperglycemia and all of the dangerous problems listed above. Patients have reported feeling ok and not knowing they had low blood sugar until they wake up on the floor, or they have had a seizure. Some don’t realize what happened until they are taken to the hospital. If you are one of these individuals, you probably worry about your next hypoglycemia episode on a daily basis. You would likely feel much better if you were aware of something or someone which could help you monitor and alert your oncoming low blood sugar drop. Well, good news! A diabetes alert dog (DAD) can help you become aware of hypoglycemia even if you don’t feel any different. To give Continue reading >>
