Dogs For Diabetics

I became personally involved with D4D going back 16 years (2003). I know this because this is the year my middle son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and while attending a camp with him, I met Mark Ruefenacht and Armstrong (the original D4D dog). After learning more about the program, I have donated material amounts of time and money to helping support the organization.

In my opinion, what this group has been able to accomplish over the years in nothing short of amazing. Great mission, great team, and great results!

I wanted to tell of the powerful impact this organization has on its clients. The dogs are provided at no charge and they are supported over their working life. They provide support with their amazing skills to identify low and high blood sugars, before their meters, or other technology identifies the changes. They also support the clients and families with their non-judgemental support, making the effort a joyous opportunity to interact with their loving companion. So different from the support of another human, whether it be a parent, spouse or friend.

The other element of the organization is the support of a strong community of people all dealing with some element of the impact of this difficult disease, either as person with diabetes or with anyone helping to support that person. Dogs for Diabetics provides this community element through its several monthly support groups; regular monthly meetings to help client with their dogs; regular events open to the community and its open door to clients and supporters to help it carry out its overall mission.

I have volunteered here for close to 15 years and find it a wonderful place to be

I have been a volunteer with D4D since 2006. When I started, I had Type 2 diabetes, though I did not use insulin. My interest stems from 2 cousins who werer Type I, and eventually died from complications of the disease, suffering many of the severe long term effects of the disease. Since working with the great clients, families and other volunteers, I have been inspired by their desire to properly manage their disease and willingness to work with these great dogs, to help them deal with the risks of hypoglycemia. They do provide a great support mechanism, and the stories they tell of how they warned them of the onset of a low blood sugar is amazing. I really love the community of supporters that has been developed over the years.

I am a 46 year old who was diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes at the age of 17. I also have hypoglycemic unawareness, which means that my body no longer provides the symptoms that make me aware that I have low blood sugar. I no longer sweat, get tired, or have the “shakes” when my blood sugar becomes low. Because of this fact, I’ve had multiple seizures in the past. To prevent this from happening again, I applied for a Diabetic Alert Dog through Dogs 4 Diabetics (D4D) and I was partnered with Sherman in October, 2008. Sherman is a 3 year old black lab who has one primary job……to let me know when I have dangerous drops in my blood sugars. Living with diabetes has never been what I would describe as an enjoyable experience, however, my life was dramatically changed when I was partnered with Sherman. I am so thankful for how Sherman has changed my life. He brings joy and security to me on a daily basis with a disease that never allows me to take a “vacation”: from daily finger sticks to check my blood sugar, multiple insulin injections, high blood sugars that cause headaches, and low blood sugars that cause confusion or seizures. Throughout my worst of days, I still have Sherman, with his big brown eyes and wet black “super-sniffing” nose to ensure that I catch my lows before they become severe. His daily exercise routine helps keep me active as well. I am so very thankful for D4D and for their team of employees and volunteers who have been supportive of my partnership with Sherman over these past two years. They are only a phone call away and their assistance has continued well beyond the original placement of Sherman. Without their diligence to provide effective, well-trained diabetic alert dogs and to obtain funding from donors, I would not have had this amazing opportunity. Thank you, D4D, for how you have changed my life!!!

My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was six years old. I often marvel at how well she has adapted, given that her life after diagnosis was filled with needles, insulin, and constant queries about how she felt and what she had eaten. Despite her seeming acceptance, she could never say that having diabetes was fun ... until August 2008. In August 2008, Dogs for Diabetics partnered my daughter with Colton, a yellow laborador/golden cross trained to alert on hypoglycemic episodes (low blood sugars). Suddenly, my daughter had a four legged friend and a partner in her diabetes care who helped in a way that neither I nor any other person ever could. He became her playmate, her faithful companion, and her vigilant guardian ready to let her know when she needs to check her blood sugar. He has saved her from serious medical emergencies when her blood sugars were dropping without our knowledge. He has brought joy, laughter, and fun into her life with diabetes (as one passerby put it - "That's so awesome - not that you have diabetes, but that you have a dog to help you with it!"). My family and I are active volunteers with Dogs for Diabetics - or D4D as we all refer to it. D4D is a California non-profit based in Concord, California. It receives dogs donated from Guide Dogs for the Blind (San Raphael) and trains them to detect and alert on low blood sugar levels in insulin dependent diabetics. Once trained, D4D places these dogs with clients free of charge. These service dogs have public access rights and accompany their diabetics at all times. D4D dogs not only provide life saving services, they help with depression, fitness (they still need to be walked even if they are out and about with you all day!), and independent living - free of the fear of unpredictable and sudden drops in blood sugar and the need for constant monitoring. D4D's services do not end once they place a dog with you - in fact, their services are probably just starting! They provide a forum for insulin dependent diabetics to get together to talk about their questions, lives, concerns, fears, and hopes. My daughter (and I) has maintained friendships with other clients and volunteers met through D4D, connected through their dogs, their disease, and their love for each other. I should note that I am also a board member for D4D but my first and strongest connection through this group was as a parent of a client and a volunteer. I thank them every day for the love that they have brought into my daughter's life.