Support Olivia's Journey to Better Health with a Service Dog

My name is Amber, and I am the mother of the beautiful little lady pictured. On March 27, 2024, her and our lives changed forever. I had scheduled her a doctor's appointment for symptoms of increased thirst, weight loss, and fatigue. Although I was aware that a diagnosis of Type 1 was possible based on her symptoms, I hoped that her symptoms were just a sign of a growth spurt or a developmental change. At the doctor's office, they poked her finger, and her blood sugar was 327. We were instructed to go directly to Mott's Children's Hospital, where she spent three days in both the ER and the Endocrinology floor. There, I was taught how to care for her. In the early days, caring for her included multiple daily shots, multiple daily finger sticks, and timed feedings. Now she wears a Continuous Glucose Monitor and an Insulin Pump. Despite proper management, she still experiences fluctuating sugars, which include activity-induced lows and nighttime highs and lows.

We feel that a Diabetic Alert Dog would be very beneficial for Olivia as they are able to identify the highs and lows 15-20 minutes sooner than the Continuous Glucose Monitor, allowing quicker intervention and better overall health. Additionally, we believe that she could benefit from the emotional support and unconditional love a Diabetic Alert Dog can provide.

The cost of a Service Dog is great, ranging anywhere from $8,100-$32,000 depending on the breed and level of care he or she is trained to provide. Please help us raise the necessary funds ($6,000) to place a dog under contract and begin the 14-month plus training process.