My Pet World; Diabetic alert dogs poised to save lives, thanks to special pooch named Joker
All everyone wants is as normal a life as possible. Vicki realized that providing service dogs trained to dependably alert for diabetic highs or lows might actually save lives -- and improve the quality of life for the entire family.
"Ron lived to make a difference in people's lives, and he loved dogs," says Vicki. "He would have loved this idea."
Vicki founded the Ron and Vicki Santo Diabetic Alert Dog Foundation in 2012, and it became an official non-profit 5013C this year. There are seven Labrador Retrievers in training as diabetic alert dogs.
The first dog to be placed with a family is Tyson, just paired with Logan, a 23-year-old diabetic who also has Down's syndrome. Logan doesn't always have the ability to discern when his sugar levels are about to spike or crash. As a result, he's landed in intensive care several times.
"At school, we needed to hire a nurse to be with him, even on the bus," says his mom, Angi Graham. "And as parents, we feel we need to be there, always. That's unfair to Logan, who wants more independence."
Of course, Tyson's presence also gives Mom and Dad peace of mind.
Sometimes Logan's episodes would come overnight. Angi purchased a baby monitor so she and her husband could detect Logan's unrest. However, their son protested and continually unplugged the monitor. Tyson is a monitor Logan not only doesn't mind but welcomes.
The Ron and Vicki Santo Diabetic Alert Dog Foundation made it possible for the Grahams to get an alert dog -- and affordably-- for a fraction of the $18,000 cost (for the dog's special training). However, it's the peace of mind that Angi calls "priceless." For more info, check http://ronsantofoundation.com/why-a-dog.html
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