Hobie's Diabetes Alert Dog

The summer before 1st grade I was thirsty all the time.  After a while my mom got a little worried about me and tested my blood sugar just to be safe (she’s a Type 1 Diabetic too).  My blood sugar was over 500! My mom called the doctor right away and when we went to the hospital they said that I have Type 1 Diabetes.  It’s an autoimmune disease that made my body stop producing insulin.  I can’t control it with food or exercise like people with Type 2 Diabetes.  I have to give myself insulin to stay healthy.  There were some tough times in the beginning with insulin shots and poking my fingers all the time to test my blood sugar but I got used to it.  And I didn’t have to wait very long to get an insulin pump either which means less shots for me :).  

I have learned a lot of stuff about diabetes.  I know about carb counting and how they make insulin.  I also found out that dogs can be trained to help people with diabetes know when their blood sugar gets too low.  Low blood sugars are the most scary thing about being a Type 1 and by the time I feel mine I am really really low.  This makes my mom and dad very scared.

I love dogs and it’s my dream to have a dog that can also help keep me safe.  Diabetes Alert Dogs go through special training to be service dogs and then through training to smell blood sugar so they are really expensive.  They cost between $15,000 and $25,000 dollars!  My mom and dad say that we don’t have the money to buy it ourselves.  I am hoping if everyone helps a little I can make my dream come true and have a Diabetes Alert Dog of my own.

Thanks so much,

Hobie