Type 1 Diabetes is a disease that is diagnosed in children and young adults. The body stops producing insulin due to the fact that the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. You and I make insulin automatically that regulates our blood sugars. In Type 1 Diabetics, they can no longer make insulin. This means they have to take synthetic insulin to regulate blood sugars in the body. Only 5% of all diabetics have this particular form of diabetes.
If there is insulin, why do you need a Diabetic Alert Dog?
Brad currently has what is known as Hypoglycemic Unawareness. This means that he cannot feel his lows. A normal blood sugar range is between 80 and 120. Brad’s sugar has been known to be so low before that his blood sugar meter cannot indicate how much sugar he has in his system. This can lead to a coma or death. Brad has been a Type 1 since he was 14 years old. We have tried many methods including doctor help and the Medtronic Continuous Glucose Monitoring system. Both of which have not helped due to the fact that he cannot feel when his blood sugar is dropping. When our blood sugar drops, our bodies send signals such as shaking, irritability, headaches or nausea. Brad does not get any of these warning signs. He can go from normal to 40 in the span of a half an hour. He has very drastic blood sugar changes which could be fatal.
Brad currently has what is known as Hypoglycemic Unawareness. This means that he cannot feel his lows. A normal blood sugar range is between 80 and 120. Brad’s sugar has been known to be so low before that his blood sugar meter cannot indicate how much sugar he has in his system. This can lead to a coma or death. Brad has been a Type 1 since he was 14 years old. We have tried many methods including doctor help and the Medtronic Continuous Glucose Monitoring system. Both of which have not helped due to the fact that he cannot feel when his blood sugar is dropping. When our blood sugar drops, our bodies send signals such as shaking, irritability, headaches or nausea. Brad does not get any of these warning signs. He can go from normal to 40 in the span of a half an hour. He has very drastic blood sugar changes which could be fatal.
Insulin that is taken helps to maintain blood sugars. It is a life line. If too much insulin is taken, the blood sugars drop very low. This causes disorientation, violent shaking, and body control is literally gone. If you take too little insulin, your blood sugars get high. This makes you lethargic, and can damage your circulatory system. Complications from Diabetes range from loss of eye sight, loss of limbs due to numbness, skin complications, heart disease, kidney disease, neuropathy, coma and death. Insulin is not a "fix" for a diabetic. It is a necessity.
Is Brad on a Pump? Don't insulin pumps help control that?
The insulin pump is a method for delivering insulin. It can help regulate sugars better by allowing a constant flow of insulin into the body. Because sugars can change with exercise and diet, the pump can also cause as many problems as it helps. If Brad exercises more in a day than he normally does, his sugars can go low because his rates for constant insulin (known as the basal rate) can be too high. The opposite can happen as well.
Why does the D.A.D. cost $20,000?
The training for service animals cost quite a bit. Even if a person in need receives a dog that is trained, there is some type of compensation provided either by a grant or donations to an organization. Also, not all dogs can be an alert Dog. Warren Retrievers uses Labrador Retrievers because they are the correct temperament and intelligence needed for a good service dog. They are loyal and love their "charge". This is very important. Also not all Labs are created equal. In a litter of puppies, it is possible that only a few are good candidates for a Service Dog. Warren Retrievers guarantees their puppies and is endorsed by the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) because their puppies are the best. They work with the families by coming out every 90 days to continue training and provide one on one support when it comes to the dog. You are not just paying for a dog. You are paying for the breeding, the trainer, and everything else that comes along. This includes insurance on the animal. The puppies are handpicked to specifications that Brad gave them. They are tested for temperament and have health guarantees. These dogs are simply worth every cent. Warren Retrievers is also a non-profit charity. All donations made toward Brad's dog are tax deductible.
These wonderful animals sense through smell when blood sugars change. If we are able to obtain one of these Diabetic Assistance Dogs he/she will alert Brad when his blood sugar is low or high. Usually up to 40 minutes before there is a problem. They can also be trained to alert another person if for some reason the diabetic they service cannot take care of their sugars, for example, at night when they are asleep. There have been many times I have woken up for some reason with a bad feeling and I’ve checked Brad’s blood sugar and it has been in the 30’s. I have to call the paramedics to have them come and give him an IV with glucose in it because I am not able to wake him.
About 10 years ago Brad attended Northern Arizona University. While there he would hike the trails in the Grand Canyon. One of his particular favorite trails is called the Kaibab Trail. He simply shortened the name to Kai. He hopes to hike again with he new lifesaver. Incidentally the name Kai means "ocean" in Hawaiian.
Simply click on the picture above under Donate. That will take you to the Diabetic Alert Dog site where you can make a donation through PayPal.
If you wish to mail a check, send your check made payable to Guardian Angel Service Dogs to P.O. Box 910, Orange, VA 22960. You may also mail me a check made payable to GASD. Email me for address info at fightingtype1@yahoo.com
What will an Alert Dog do for your family?
These wonderful animals sense through smell when blood sugars change. If we are able to obtain one of these Diabetic Assistance Dogs he/she will alert Brad when his blood sugar is low or high. Usually up to 40 minutes before there is a problem. They can also be trained to alert another person if for some reason the diabetic they service cannot take care of their sugars, for example, at night when they are asleep. There have been many times I have woken up for some reason with a bad feeling and I’ve checked Brad’s blood sugar and it has been in the 30’s. I have to call the paramedics to have them come and give him an IV with glucose in it because I am not able to wake him.
This dog would give Brad freedom from the domination of his Type 1 Diabetes. Many times he has been afraid to do something due to blood sugar drops. He would be able to drive a car again or be alone without his family worrying about him. It would help the middle of the night paramedic phone calls disappear. We would not have to worry about our daughter being on the news because she had to call the paramedics because her daddy was passed out on the floor.
How did you decide on the name Kai for your D.A.D?
About 10 years ago Brad attended Northern Arizona University. While there he would hike the trails in the Grand Canyon. One of his particular favorite trails is called the Kaibab Trail. He simply shortened the name to Kai. He hopes to hike again with he new lifesaver. Incidentally the name Kai means "ocean" in Hawaiian.
How do I make a donation?
Simply click on the picture above under Donate. That will take you to the Diabetic Alert Dog site where you can make a donation through PayPal.
If you wish to mail a check, send your check made payable to Guardian Angel Service Dogs to P.O. Box 910, Orange, VA 22960. You may also mail me a check made payable to GASD. Email me for address info at fightingtype1@yahoo.com
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