Addison's Service Dog

I would like everyone to meet Addison. She is a 6 year old kindergartener at New Bloomfield Elementary and a classmate of my daughter. Addison’s favorite class is PE. She loves to read, play with outside with friends and color. In most ways she is just like every other 6 year old girl in the world however, Addison has some extra challenges in her life. In June of 2012, Addison was hospitalized and diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. There is no cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Her diabetes is managed with multiple doses of insulin and several blood sugar checks (finger pokes) throughout the day as well as the night.  2-3 times every night her parents would have to get up and check/monitor her blood sugar levels to make sure levels aren’t too high (which means more insulin) or too low (which means eating or drinking to quickly raise them to a safe level). Normally Addison’s blood sugar should be in the range of 70-150. Her levels are never the same and there have been times that her blood sugar reached dangerous levels that could result in seizures, coma, or even death if not quickly treated. Addison’s blood sugar has been as low as 26 and as high as in the 600’s. It is very hard to monitor the blood sugar levels of a small, young, active child who is unable to recognize the symptoms of abnormal blood sugar levels. Addison has been an unstable diabetic since she was diagnosed, her blood sugar levels can go from in the high 300’s to 50’s or below in a matter of seconds with no warning.

Addison and her family were very blessed to receive a fully trained Diabetic Alert Service dog in August of 2015 by the name of Keeper. Like his name Keeper was sure a “Keeper!” He was amazing and did amazing things for Addison and her family. He was so much more than “just a dog” he truly was a member of the family. Keeper not only watched over and protected Addison but also helped her with the stress and anxiety she deals with due to worries which no 6 year old girl should have to face due to the horrible disease she had no choice in having. Keeper allowed Addison and her parents to live a more “normal” life. Keeper was special, like all service animals, he was Addison’s guardian angel, trained specifically to watch over and alert Addison and whoever’s care she was under that her blood sugar levels weren’t right and she needed to be cared for immediately. Keeper went everywhere with Addison, providing some piece of mind and giving Addison freedom that had been taken away due to constant blood sugar monitoring. Having Keeper watch over her eliminated some of the twenty plus unpleasant finger pokes each day. With Keeper she was able to run and play with the other kids without her parents or another adult constantly being right by her side. Words can’t describe what Keeper meant to Addison and her family. 

Keeper was also a teacher. You can imagine the opportunities that having Keeper at her side provided for Addison and her family to teach others about Service Animals and bring awareness to Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. When Addison’s family moved to New Bloomfield the entire school eagerly, but nervously, accepted the new opportunities that were before them. My daughter came home so many days talking about how Keeper wasn't a pet he had a very important job. She told me how Keeper watched over and kept Addison healthy. Addison's classmates, as well as the entire school, have become exposed to Service Animals as well as learned about Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes.   

Sadly, Keeper was taken from Addison and her family unexpectedly in a traffic accident recently. To say Addison was heartbroken doesn’t even come close to expressing her loss. She lost her best friend that was always by her side both day and night. Her “normal” was gone and back to the several finger pokes throughout the day and night. Her parents once again faced the fear of not catching that low or high spike in blood sugar that could threaten to take Addison’s life. Although Keeper can never be replaced he will hold a very special place in Addison’s heart as well as her families. The day after the accident all of Addison’s’ classmates grieved with her. They drew pictures of Keeper and talked about the happy memories they each had of him and how they would miss him.

Service Animals are a tremendous expense to a family, easily approaching $10,000 which doesn’t include normal cost of care, including regular vet visits and the cost of feeding an extra family member. No parent wants to swallow their pride and admit they need help, but sadly it will be impossible for Addison to get another Service Animal without help. Together we have a chance to change the life of an innocent beautiful child. We can give her freedom back, stop the worry, the loss of sleep and endless finger pokes. Any amount you can spare no matter how small will help us get to our goal of helping Addison!  If you can’t help by giving money please pray for this cause and at least tell others Addison’s story.