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Diabetic Alert Dogs (DADs) are service animals that are trained to alert diabetics of low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar in a timely manner to avoid dangerous situations. The dogs have a heightened sense of smell that gives them the ability to add another layer of protection in your diabetes management.
Research / Providers / DIY / Fundraising Ideas / Grants
Research
If you are thinking about adding a DAD to your family, there are few more things to consider than just the cost (typically $10k to $20k USD). I recommend reading articles that explore other considerations like ongoing costs and training, questions to ask trainers, types of alerts, etc:
- The Americans with Disabilities Act defines how service animals are defined, where they are allowed, and other rules.
- How To Get The Diabetic Alert Dog You Want by Dorrie Nuttall
- Diabetes Alert Dogs: Buyer Beware by Cattet and Hardin
- What To Consider Before Getting A Diabetic Alert Dog by Maggie Jones
Providers
There are no national standards for training DADs. Therefore, picking a provider of your DAD requires lots of research including performing reference checks. Listed are various DAD providers (the list is not an endorsement of any one provider):
- All Purpose Canines, SD and TX
- Canine Hope for Diabetics, CA
- Canine Ranch, GA
- Diabetic Alert Dogs of America, NV
- Dogs 4 Diabetics, CA
- Freedom Paws Assistance Dogs, OH
- Heads Up Hounds, NE
- Medical Mutts, IN
- Pieces of the Universe, OR
- River’s Edge Dog Academy, TX
- Service Dog Academy, MO
- Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers, VA
- Super Sniffer Training Program, WV
- Tattle Tails, UT
Do It Yourself (DIY) Books, Videos and Facebook Groups
- Books
- The Ping Project: How we Trained a Diabetic Alert Dog at Home – by Shari Finger
- Training Your Diabetic Alert Dog – by Martinez and Barns
- DOG A Diabetic’s Best Friend Training Guide: Train Your Own Diabetic and Glycemic Alert Dog – by Veronica D. Zimmerman
- Lifesaving Labradors: Stories From Families With Diabetic Alert Dogs – by Ben McClelland
- Working Like Dogs: The Service Dog Guidebook – by Marcie Davis
- Super Sniffer Handbook: A Guide to Scent Training for Medical Alert Dogs – by Debby Kay
- Videos
- Search Youtube for videos on collecting scent samples, scent imprinting (isoprene), collecting saliva samples for imprinting and DAD training.
- Facebook Groups
Fundraising Ideas
- Online fundraising like GoFundMe or FirstGiving
- T-shirt fundraiser
- Garage sale
- Chili dog supers
- Golf tournament
- Get your local news or local paper to do a story on your fundraising efforts
- Grow flowers and sell them
- Lemonade stand
- Yardwork/Mow lawns
- Zumba fundraiser
- Ask neighbors to save recyclable items and redeem for cash
- Pet sitting
- “Pay What You May” bake sale
Grants
- T1D Mod Squad offers a grant
- Emma’s Journey grant
- The Pet Fund lists various grants and finanical assistance options
- If living in Iowa – Council Bluffs Cosmopolitan Club offers a grant
