September is Service Dog Awareness Month

National Service Dog Month is celebrated every September to honor the invaluable contributions of service dogs to people with disabilities. Type 1 Diabetes is considered a disability.

Living with diabetes, especially Type 1 diabetes, can be a daily challenge. The constant need to monitor blood sugar levels, manage insulin, and recognize potential health crises can create significant stress and anxiety. For many individuals, diabetic alert service dogs (DADs) have become invaluable companions, providing not only assistance but also peace of mind.

What Are Diabetic Alert Service Dogs?

Diabetic alert service dogs are specially trained animals that assist individuals with diabetes by detecting changes in their blood sugar levels through scent. These dogs are trained to recognize the specific odors associated with hypo- and hyperglycemia, allowing them to alert their handlers before a serious medical event occurs.

How Do They Work?

Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell, estimated to be 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than that of humans. This remarkable ability allows them to detect subtle chemical changes in the body that occur with fluctuations in blood sugar. When a person’s blood sugar drops or spikes, their body produces unique scents, which the dog learns to identify through specialized training.

Once trained, these dogs provide alerts through various means, such as nudging or pawing at their handler. This early warning gives the individual time to take corrective action, such as glucose tablets or administering insulin, before the situation escalates.

The Training Process

Choosing the Right Dog

Not every dog is suited for diabetic alert work. Breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds are often preferred due to their intelligence, trainability, and temperament. The individual dog’s personality is also crucial; they should be friendly, eager to please, and able to focus in different environments.

Basic Obedience Training

Training typically begins with basic obedience. The dog must master commands such as sit, stay, and come. A solid foundation in obedience ensures that the dog is well-behaved and responsive, which is essential when they are tasked with alerting to medical conditions. This is the phase where Duke is right now. He knows the commands at home but we still need to work on doing them in public.

Scent Training

The next phase involves scent training and service dog task training. Dogs are trained to perform specific tasks such as getting help, getting sugar sources or getting the blood glucose monitor and bringing it to their handler. They are also exposed to samples of the scents associated with low and high blood sugar levels. The dog is rewarded for recognizing and alerting to these scents, performing those tasks, reinforcing the behavior through positive reinforcement.

Our Future Need

Cost is a barrier to training a service dog for many people, including myself. Duke's training needs to continue so he can take over for Snook and keep me safe. Our summer of 2026 goal for Snook's retirement is coming quickly so we don't want to lose momentum and progress with Duke's training. That goal requires funding; so that's where the generous support of my friends and family comes in. Any help is much appreciated. Go to the "Help Train Duke" tab at the top of the page to show your support. It will redirect you to the campaign page for donations. Please also share this with others so we can spread awareness about the life-saving tasks that service dogs can provide for their handler.