Brett Young & Diabetes Assistance Dog Barbie Author: Vera Mariner Barbie is loved and spoiled, and she deserves it. She provides a life-saving service to client Brett Young from Saint Cloud, Minn. as a Diabetes Assist Dog. Managing a chronic condition is not for the faint of heart and Brett has strategized a care team that has created a comfortable and safe existence. Barbie is captain of that team. Her ability to alert Brett if his blood sugar is low is lifesaving. Even though Brett’s Continuous Glucose Monitor* is a brilliant tool for him, he does not hear when the …
Diabetes Assist Dog
Bringing Awareness
Len Hovan & Diabetes Assistance Dog Rogue Len Hovan from Eagan, Minn. enjoys woodworking, restoring antiques and traveling. He lives with type 1 brittle diabetes which means he encounters frequent and extreme swings in his blood glucose levels. Len also experiences hypoglycemia unawareness, so he’s unable to feel the deep drops in his blood sugar levels. These can be incredibly dangerous and even life threatening. Rogue, a three-year-old black Standard Poodle was described by her Can Do Canines trainers and foster volunteers as snuggly, dainty, playful and always so happy. She was matched with Len as his Diabetes Assist Dog. …
On Track with Tuesday
Nicole Greenlund & Diabetes & Mobility Assist Dog Tuesday Author: Joy Miller Nicole Greenlund from Otsego, Minn. is a young mom of three active children, ages nine, seven, and four. Her life is full and busy. Her life is also busy managing multiple health issues, including Type 1 Diabetes, and Nicole was struggling with frequently “bottoming out” from low blood sugar levels. A big reality check happened when Nicole found herself giving her children instructions on how to call emergency responders if they would happen to find mommy unconscious; that was not a responsibility she wanted to give them and …
Congratulations 2016 Fall Graduates!
Congratulations to the 17 Can Do Canines teams who received diplomas on Saturday, October 22 in recognition of graduating from Can Do Canines assistance dog program. Each assistance dog was provided free of charge due to the generous support of our donors. The Graduation Ceremony represents the culmination of a long journey for the assistance dogs and their partners. Beginning with puppy raisers, either in the homes of volunteers or at one of four Minnesota prisons, the dogs are raised and taught basic obedience and early assistance dog skills. After 18 months, they are returned to Can Do Canines for final training …
Some Welcome Help
Matt Dingley & Diabetes Assistance Dog Brewster Author: Bobb Elsenpeter When Matt Dingley was 34, his pancreas stopped functioning leading to the development of Type 1 Diabetes. Over time his diabetes had become more and more difficult to manage; additionally, Matt has chronic pain due to diabetic neuropathy. Matt realized he needed extra help and his healthcare team recommended an assistance dog. “I wasn’t recognizing my lows so I talked to my doctor about it,” Matt remembers. “I talked to my diabetic educator about the possibility of a Diabetes Assist Dog and they thought it would be a really good idea.” …
Sniffing out disease: Diabetes-alert dogs are on the rise
Article by: ALLIE SHAH , Star Tribune Updated: August 29, 2013 – 9:29 AM http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/221529221.html A dog’s snout is a powerful weapon. So strong, in fact, that pooches trained to smell low blood sugar are being used to manage diabetes. For 27 years, Sarah Breidenbach had a foolproof way of knowing when her blood sugar level was dangerously low. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child, she could spot the early warning signs — feeling shaky and anxious. Then one night, her internal detection system failed. While sleeping, her blood sugar level plummeted, causing a violent seizure that sent …