Olive and Rez the Type 1 Diabetic Alert Dog

***50% OF DONATIONS WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE RON AND VICKI SANTO DIABETIC ALERT DOG FOUNDATION***

Olive, 8, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was 3 years old. Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects the way her body breaks down sugars in food and into energy for her. Diabetes is an every day, every moment battle. She is completely insulin dependent. We rely heavily on her continuous glucose meter to tell us what her body needs and to avoid danger, but even the best technology is limited. Many adults can recognize that their blood sugar is high or low, and can tend to their needs quickly. Many children, and specifically Olive, are unable to recognize the changes in their body.

This led us to add her to a waitlist for a diabetic alert dog when she was 6 with The Ron and Vicki Santo Diabetic Alert Dog Foundation. One year later, we got the best phone call of our lives. There was a litter of puppies born on St. Patrick's Day 2024, and there was a dog, Rez, who was ready to be trained for Olive. His training would take an additional year after that phone call.

The acquiring, training and delivery of a diabetic alert dog can be costly. Even with The Santo Foundation covering 90% of costs, our new family member still comes with a hefty price tag.

Many friends and family in our community have reached out about how they can be a part of Olive and Rez's journey. We decided this approach would be best.

We are so fortunate for the opportunity to welcome Rez to our family --- and eternally grateful to Vicki Santo and Rez's trainer Gracie from Bark to Basics. We will be donating 50% of all funds raised to The Santo Foundation.

As Cubs fans, being able to be a part of a foundation that carries the name of a Cubs legend is unbelievably cool.

Diabetes alert dogs help people avoid severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) episodes, which can have serious health consequences.

Rez has been trained to associate those scents with a reward, which will allow him to alert Olive and her parents when her blood sugar enters a dangerous level. Most importantly, his early and consistent alerts will help prevent seizures and keep Olive safe. When out of range from technology on the soccer field or in the pool, Rez's nose will be strong enough to alert if Olive's blood sugar is going too high or too low.

Olive spent months collecting samples of her saliva at different blood sugar levels. We then shipped them to Arizona so Rez and Gracie could get to work on training Rez on what Olive's highs and lows smell like.

Rez's ability to help diagnose those highs and lows, sometimes earlier than the technology Olive wears on her body 24/7, should contribute to a better A1C and longterm quality of life for Olive.

We cannot wait to add Rez to our family and are so appreciative for everyone's support.

-The Schwerha Family