| The Dog Whisperer: A.J. and Sparky
Did anyone happen to see this episode of the Dog Whisperer? It was about a lady trying to teach her dog to be a service dog. It was really sweet. However, the lady, A.J., made a statement about dogs sensing when their diabetic owner's "insulin" drops. Yikes!
That post around Christmas about all the "dumb things people say" to us has me thinking. I really think it is time for a national PR campaign about diabetes. Something on scale with Breast Cancer Research. I think it would bring a lot attention and research to our cause. Isn't there an organization that should be doing this already???
Anyway, here is the email I wrote to National Geographic about the Dog Whisperer episode.
Dear National Geographic,
I really enjoy the program, “The Dog Whisperer”. I was particularly touched by the episode about A.J. and her dog Sparky. What an inspiring story!
As a type 1 diabetic, I feel the need to point out a dangerous comment that A.J. made. She was speaking about people with diabetes whose dogs can sense when their “insulin” is dropping. A diabetic’s insulin does not drop, their blood glucose or blood “sugar” drops. I say this is dangerous because if a person with diabetes was giving insulin during a low blood sugar they could slip into a coma or even die. A.J.’s statement makes it seem like the proper treatment for a low would be more insulin, when if fact, it would be a fast acting carbohydrate such as orange juice. In a world where so much misinformation about diabetes exists, I think it is important that scientific organizations like you be accurate. I strongly encourage you to edit the piece and remove this dangerous and false statement.
Again, I enjoy the program and this episode touched my heart.
Kind regards,
Chris Graham  | 
