Pets Are Good For You!

How diabetic alert dogs help sufferers of type 1 diabetes.

- Lucy Breytenbach

The old adage states that dog is man’s best friend. This is something dog owners experience in their daily lives – unwavering loyalty and true friendship. However, in some cases it goes even further than that. In this issue Animaltalk looks at the amazing work done by diabetic medical alert dogs.

Diabetic medical alert dogs

Diabetic alert dogs (DADs) are trained to alert diabetic handlers, in advance, of low or high blood sugar events, before a dangerous situation can occur. By using their incredible sense of smell, these dogs can sniff out any changes in their owner’s glucose level up to 30 minutes before a blood glucose monitor, giving the owner time to alter his artificial insulin level or sugar intake before symptoms occur.

Rapid changes in blood sugar levels are expressed in a person’s breath and skin. Diabetic alert dogs are trained to associate this change in scent with a reward, and be persistent about receiving it! They have prevented thousands of glycaemic episodes and changed the lives of children and adults across the world.

Psychological benefits

Companion Animal Psychology UK has studied the psychological benefits of owning a DAD and found that owners experienced significantly fewer hypoglycaemic episodes, reduced paramedic call outs, improved independence and even described having a DAD as “an enhanced quality of life.” The psychological advantages of having a service dog are second to none.