Traditional care and management for this disease includes insulin therapy and blood sugar monitoring. One of the dangers associated with disease is hypoglycemia most commonly referred to as low blood sugar. To date 1 in 3 of the individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes will die from an undetected low blood sugar, mostly resulting from hypoglycemia unawareness while the child and caregiver is sleeping.
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The use of a scent trained service dog has prevented the loss of life for many diabetic individuals. Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to detect fluctuating blood sugars and alert the child and caregiver before a hypo or hyper-glycemic episode occurs. When properly trained Diabetic Alert Dogs can help manage and control unfavorable blood sugar levels in diabetic children, using scent training to provide safety and security. Science and studies have shown that use of scent training in dogs has worked and is proven effective. Scenting and alert dogs have been used in various fields, from drug scenting to search and rescue.
Research has proven that canines are capable to work side-by-side with their handlers to get the job done. According to Wells, Lawson, and Siriwardena (2008) “canines are able to detect the biochemical hormone which is released when an individual’s blood glucose level is fluctuating” (p. 1236). High and Low glucose levels release a unique and distinct odor. As explained by Dan Warren of Warren Retrievers and Guardian Angel Service Dogs, an acetone like scent is an indicator of low glucose levels while a sweet or fruity odor is associated with a high glucose level.
Scenting Dogs are trained to alert to these odors using consistent training and positive reinforcement (personal communication October 6, 2011). Canines have a superior and innate sense of smell. In his natural state dogs sense of smell or olfaction is used to obtain data important to his survival. For instance the scent of a rabbit stimulates the drive to hunt and the smell of an enemy triggers a fight or flight behavior (Scent-K9’S Reason For Being, 1994). Dogs have a physiological and anatomical sense of smell unique and different from humans.
Canines have 220 million olfactory receptor cells; this sense alone allows alerting to scents 44x greater than humans. Coupled with the ability to be trained to hone in on one or more chemicals, hormones or scents make them a superb animal for scent training. Diabetic Alert Dog training takes this scenting ability one step further in where the dog is taught that the smell omitted by the type 1 diabetic child is dangerous and requires immediate attention. This is a stark contrast from drug scenting or hunting training where the animal is only called in to scent when needed.
The intensity of the training makes the dog capable of alerting whenever and wherever. Alert Dogs provide a safety and security, continuous glucose monitoring alone cannot not provide. In order for a type 1 diabetic child to know where his blood sugar levels stand, he would need to check his blood sugar using a blood glucose meter. Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to alert to a drop in glucose levels and can do so within 45 minutes of a severe low. Diabetic Alert Dogs can be taught many types and methods to alert the child and caregiver of fluctuating blood sugar levels.
Most common is the use of pawing or licking to indicate a low alert and a steady position or whining to indicate a high alert. The canines also can be trained to retrieve a blood glucose meter, glucose tablets or juice box for correction. The training also includes a constant alert until the appropriate action is taken to correct blood sugar levels whether it be drinking juice to correct a low or injecting insulin to correct a high. In the event that the child is unconscious the alert dog will find the caregiver to help. This is extremely beneficial in nocturnal hours when most low glucose levels go unnoticed and can result in death.
The use Diabetic Alert Dogs result in less hypo and hyper-glycemic events. While children and their caregivers can become distracted, an alert dog is always in scenting mode. Diabetic Alert Dogs provide greater control over blood sugar levels, resulting in fewer complications associated with type 1 diabetes. Since these dogs are trained to alert up to 45 minutes prior to a low or high blood sugar level, severe episodes of hypo and hyperglycemia can be reduced and eventually eliminated. This translates into fewer hospital admissions, diabetic comas and fatalities.
The fact that the blood sugar level fluctuations are recognized at start of fluctuation provides the caregiver an opportunity to respond quickly with correct the child’s blood sugar levels. The A1C numbers of children who have a Diabetic Alert Dog in the home are typically on the lower range. This makes them less susceptible to long term complications such as kidney failure, diabetic rhinopathy, glaucoma and diabetic ketoacidosis. The commitment, time and lack of knowledge may prevent some individuals from using a Diabetic Alert Dog. On average it takes two years for an alert dog to become a fully certified service dog.
Within that time frame the dog is trained and certified in several areas that include constant and correct alerting and public access training. To ensure that the canine is properly trained consistent training techniques are implemented and must be learned and adhered to by the handler. This requires not only having education on type 1 diabetes but also a willingness to become educated on scent training. A certified trainer starts the process and once the animal has passed temperament testing and basic scent training it is placed with the family.
The trainer provides education to the caregiver through in home visits, phone calls and e-mail communications. It is the responsibility of the caregiver to continue the training and also teach the diabetic child the training requirements. Once an alert dog is certified they are considered a service dog, which means they are protected under the American Disabilities Act and allowed full access to any building, structure or gathering. The exemption is sterile hospital rooms and restaurant kitchens. A re-certification is conducted every two years and is required to maintain service dog trained and certified.
The average cost of alert dog training is $18,000 this dollar figure is reflective of the dogs training and re-certification over the years he is considered a service dog. Service dogs have a working time frame of 10-12 years which may not seem to some as a long enough time to justify the cost. Alert dogs are not considered the average family pet; they are regarded as an integral part of the family. They cannot be boarded or separate for long periods of time from the caregiver and child. The bond between a service dog and its handler is intense and unique.
As with any relationship formed time and effort must be put in to forming an unbreakable bond. The efforts are truly rewarded the first time this amazing animal saves the life of his diabetic child, by alerting to a dangerous low blood sugar level. The use of Diabetic Alert Dogs has remarkably changed the course of life for type 1 diabetics. Not only do these dogs perform at a level that super-cedes human ability, they are anatomically and genetically wired to do so. This gives an alert dog an edge on the consistent care required to keep children with type 1 diabetes safe and with in stable blood sugar levels.
What parent or caregiver would not want to have the security to know that if their child’s blood sugar level starts to fall, they alerted immediately preventing the risk of death? The answer and solution to this challenging condition is scientifically proven, extensively researched and clear. When properly trained Diabetic Alert Dogs can help manage and control unfavorable blood sugar levels in diabetic children, using scent training to provide safety and security.
