A Service Dog For Olivia
Donation protected
Hi, I'm Olivia's Aunt Sheri.
On Monday September 17th I got a phone call from 2 year old Olivia’s mom, my niece Emilie. Olivia was being rushed to Royal Oak Beaumont Children’s Hospital by ambulance from their local ER. Her blood sugar was so high meters at the local ER couldn’t even get a reading. Emilie asked me to meet her at the hospital as I only live a few miles away and her mom, had to stay back with Olivia's siblings Oliver 6months old, sister Vivienne 5 years old and Gavin 16 years old.
Olivia was quickly diagonosed with Type 1 diabetes in the pediatric ER at Beaumont. Daddy had arrived after getting everyone settled with Grandma and I left shortly after. The family stayed in the pediatric ER all night until Olivia was stable enough to be admitted. I must admit I really didn't realize the seriousness or severity of this disease until the coming days. In a matter of a couple hours, Olivia's innocent 2 year old life along with her families was turned upside down. Olivia’s parents were told in the ER at Beaumont that her levels were over 600 and had they not brought her in when they did, she would’ve been in trouble by the morning. While in the hospital Olivia was being poked at least 8 times per day to check her blood sugar, and she was injected with two types of insulin any where from four to six times per day on top of numerous tests and lab work. Mom took a month off work, and Dad took a week. With a family of 4 kids and 2 adults, mom and dad both work full time to make ends meet. Olivia couldn't go back to daycare until her blood sugar was regulated and mom could figure out how she would be able to monitor her levels and how she would get her insulin. Children with Type 1 Diabetes need to be monitored 24 hours a day, even while they sleep so Olivia was given a continuous glucose monitor to wear. The monitor tracks Olivia’s blood sugar levels throughout the day and makes the information readily available to her Mom and Dad throughout the day and night of course until little Olivia decides she doesn't need it anymore and rips it off!
Brian and Emilie have decided that because Olivia is so young and doesn't understand her diagnosis or the need for insulin and her monitor, and cannot always communicate how she is feeling, that they need an additional resource to help them keep her safe. After much research the family decided that a diabetic alert dog would be an amazing asset to Olivia’s care team.
These dogs are amazing! They are trained by scent and can tell and alert their companions and caregivers if their blood sugar is either to high or to low, up to 20 minutes before any monitor can. This is especially important in children as they are not yet able to do the monitoring themselves. They are trained to bring their companion a snack if they are too low, which can be life saving. And so much more.
Of course insurance does not cover the cost of the Diabetic Alert Dog (DAD) which can take up to 18 months to train. Emilie has found a wonderful place to obtain a DAD for Olivia. They require about a $4000.00 deposit to start training the dog. Once the dog is trained Olivia and her family will have to travel to where the DAD is located and spend a week with the trainer. The total cost including travel arrangements are estimated to be around $20,000.00. There will be an ongoing expense of health insurance for the dog, vet and food expenses as well. So we are asking for anyone who knows sweet, silly and beautiful little, Olivia, if you are able to help by donating, we all would be eternally greatful! Please share this with your friends and family also, every dollar we can raise is a dollar to make Olivia’s life safer! Thank you so much!
On Monday September 17th I got a phone call from 2 year old Olivia’s mom, my niece Emilie. Olivia was being rushed to Royal Oak Beaumont Children’s Hospital by ambulance from their local ER. Her blood sugar was so high meters at the local ER couldn’t even get a reading. Emilie asked me to meet her at the hospital as I only live a few miles away and her mom, had to stay back with Olivia's siblings Oliver 6months old, sister Vivienne 5 years old and Gavin 16 years old.
Olivia was quickly diagonosed with Type 1 diabetes in the pediatric ER at Beaumont. Daddy had arrived after getting everyone settled with Grandma and I left shortly after. The family stayed in the pediatric ER all night until Olivia was stable enough to be admitted. I must admit I really didn't realize the seriousness or severity of this disease until the coming days. In a matter of a couple hours, Olivia's innocent 2 year old life along with her families was turned upside down. Olivia’s parents were told in the ER at Beaumont that her levels were over 600 and had they not brought her in when they did, she would’ve been in trouble by the morning. While in the hospital Olivia was being poked at least 8 times per day to check her blood sugar, and she was injected with two types of insulin any where from four to six times per day on top of numerous tests and lab work. Mom took a month off work, and Dad took a week. With a family of 4 kids and 2 adults, mom and dad both work full time to make ends meet. Olivia couldn't go back to daycare until her blood sugar was regulated and mom could figure out how she would be able to monitor her levels and how she would get her insulin. Children with Type 1 Diabetes need to be monitored 24 hours a day, even while they sleep so Olivia was given a continuous glucose monitor to wear. The monitor tracks Olivia’s blood sugar levels throughout the day and makes the information readily available to her Mom and Dad throughout the day and night of course until little Olivia decides she doesn't need it anymore and rips it off!
Brian and Emilie have decided that because Olivia is so young and doesn't understand her diagnosis or the need for insulin and her monitor, and cannot always communicate how she is feeling, that they need an additional resource to help them keep her safe. After much research the family decided that a diabetic alert dog would be an amazing asset to Olivia’s care team.
These dogs are amazing! They are trained by scent and can tell and alert their companions and caregivers if their blood sugar is either to high or to low, up to 20 minutes before any monitor can. This is especially important in children as they are not yet able to do the monitoring themselves. They are trained to bring their companion a snack if they are too low, which can be life saving. And so much more.
Of course insurance does not cover the cost of the Diabetic Alert Dog (DAD) which can take up to 18 months to train. Emilie has found a wonderful place to obtain a DAD for Olivia. They require about a $4000.00 deposit to start training the dog. Once the dog is trained Olivia and her family will have to travel to where the DAD is located and spend a week with the trainer. The total cost including travel arrangements are estimated to be around $20,000.00. There will be an ongoing expense of health insurance for the dog, vet and food expenses as well. So we are asking for anyone who knows sweet, silly and beautiful little, Olivia, if you are able to help by donating, we all would be eternally greatful! Please share this with your friends and family also, every dollar we can raise is a dollar to make Olivia’s life safer! Thank you so much!
Organizer and beneficiary
Sheri Goldberg-King
Organizer
Ferndale, MI
Olivia Tarsin
Beneficiary
