Funding needed 4 Diabetic Alert Dog!

Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to recognize the "out of range" blood sugar levels experienced by a person with Type 1 Diabetes, and to alert him well before a life threatening seizure or blackout.

Diabetes Alert Dogs (DADs) are a relatively new addition to the Service Dog industry and truly amazing companions particularly those who experience "hypoglycemic unawareness."

Normally, a person with diabetes can feel their blood sugar dropping or spiking.  They may become light headed, drowsy or experience headaches. Diabetics that suffer from hypoglycemic unawareness do not readily feel the effects of a change to their blood sugar and are therefore at a high risk for life threatening seizures and complications, especially while they sleep.

Diabetes Alert Dogs can smell a diabetic's blood sugar dropping or spiking out of range, and alert their diabetic owner/handler in advance of a crisis. These dogs are trained to "alert" their owner to the onset of a change in their body's chemistry and to keep alerting them until the condition is corrected or until they receive the help they need.

My name is Malisa Phillips, and I am a 26 year old wife and mother to three amazing kids (ages 2,4 & 6) and a Newborn Photographer :) I have had Type 1 Diabetes for over 16 years. I have always been brittle but have managed well. I had quite a few complications growing up that left me sicker than ever. Had stomach issues from uncontrolled BS, resulting in surgeries. Diagnosed with an Autoimmune disorder that leaves me with brittle bones and joints. Until a few years ago I was always able to recognize my symptoms of dropping too low. I no longer have symptoms before bottoming out, leaving me to test myself every hour or two to take away fear. It was a scary ordeal a few years back driving my car and not remembering how I got home. This scared me, and my husband. We tried continuous meters, with no luck on accuracy. 

My 4 year old son Braidyn is also having issues with his blood sugars. He gets random highs but numbers aren't concerning enough yet for insulin. He is expected to have it within 5 years though. 

Getting help paying for a service dog would give me an immense sigh of relief. I would put my trust in knowing I had a companion to help me take control before things got bad. This would give me more time with my children, with work, with school, and my husband. He is always concerned while on deployments, and he will be leaving again next year. I want him to focus on his mission and not on my health. 

I want to thank you all in advance if you can help. And any amount that exceeds my needs will be donated to another child/adult in need of a service dog :)