Training Takara-My Diabetes Alert Service Dog
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I have lived with Type 1 Diabetes for 18 years. Meeting me in person, or simply looking at my social media profile, you wouldn't think that Diabetes slows me down. I'd like to think that too, but the truth is, the longer that I've lived with Diabetes, the more difficult it has become to recognize the severe sugar lows and sugar highs. Doctors warned me that one day this would happen, and for years I thought that I would be invincible if only I ate right, exercised enough and utilized the latest technology, including an embedded continuous glucose monitoring device; however, sometimes this just isn't enough. I found myself where I started with my Diabetes: Afraid. Afraid that I wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night from a sugar low. Afraid that I will fluctuate from a 20mmol to a 2.9mmol in less than an hour, and not see it coming in time to take proactive measures. Afraid that one day, I'd pass-out and no-one would be there to call 9-1-1.
So, I took a leap of faith and I found a program that goes beyond modern technology. This summer, I committed myself to purchasing and training a Diabetes Alert Service Dog with @Caninevalley in Squamish, BC. In late October, I was paired with my girl, Takara. When she is certified, Takara will be able to alert me in advance of a dangerous sugar low, or in the worst case scenario, get help for me if I am unconscious. Training Takara to be a full-fledged service dog, who will be at my side in all activities of daily living and the workplace, will take 18 months. I am committed to training alongside Takara @Caninevalley because having her at my side gives me the confidence to overcome the unhealthy level of fear I've experienced that accompanies the physical challenges of Type 1 Diabetes.
What you don't see in these photos is the Medical Alert training team who is dedicated to working with us. The time, commitment and resources to certify Takara as a Service Dog is in excess of $10,000. As Takara and I embark on this journey together, we are asking for your help to fund Takara's training with @Caninevalley, and I am pledging that the funds raised through GFM will be applied directly to Takara's purchase cost and training.
Thank you for supporting Takara and me, and I hope that you will follow our epic adventures on Instagram: @this_mountain_art
I have lived with Type 1 Diabetes for 18 years. Meeting me in person, or simply looking at my social media profile, you wouldn't think that Diabetes slows me down. I'd like to think that too, but the truth is, the longer that I've lived with Diabetes, the more difficult it has become to recognize the severe sugar lows and sugar highs. Doctors warned me that one day this would happen, and for years I thought that I would be invincible if only I ate right, exercised enough and utilized the latest technology, including an embedded continuous glucose monitoring device; however, sometimes this just isn't enough. I found myself where I started with my Diabetes: Afraid. Afraid that I wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night from a sugar low. Afraid that I will fluctuate from a 20mmol to a 2.9mmol in less than an hour, and not see it coming in time to take proactive measures. Afraid that one day, I'd pass-out and no-one would be there to call 9-1-1.
So, I took a leap of faith and I found a program that goes beyond modern technology. This summer, I committed myself to purchasing and training a Diabetes Alert Service Dog with @Caninevalley in Squamish, BC. In late October, I was paired with my girl, Takara. When she is certified, Takara will be able to alert me in advance of a dangerous sugar low, or in the worst case scenario, get help for me if I am unconscious. Training Takara to be a full-fledged service dog, who will be at my side in all activities of daily living and the workplace, will take 18 months. I am committed to training alongside Takara @Caninevalley because having her at my side gives me the confidence to overcome the unhealthy level of fear I've experienced that accompanies the physical challenges of Type 1 Diabetes.
What you don't see in these photos is the Medical Alert training team who is dedicated to working with us. The time, commitment and resources to certify Takara as a Service Dog is in excess of $10,000. As Takara and I embark on this journey together, we are asking for your help to fund Takara's training with @Caninevalley, and I am pledging that the funds raised through GFM will be applied directly to Takara's purchase cost and training.
Thank you for supporting Takara and me, and I hope that you will follow our epic adventures on Instagram: @this_mountain_art
Organizer
Christina Prikryl
Organizer
North Vancouver, BC