[christie]

i've seen some articles on diabetic alert dogs on the internet. they are supposed to alert you of being low, i've seen some that also are supposed to alert you of being high also. I since i have hypo unawareness I'd like to look into getting one if they do what the internet says but I don't know how to know if a place is repuable or not (sp?)

[JediSkipdogg]

I only know of two places that deal with diabetes alert dogs. The one I am mostly familiar with is Heaven Scent Paws (HSP).

Welcome to Heaven Scent Paws!

The thing you have to watch when dealing with them is what are their policies if the dog doesn't work out. Will they take the dog back? Or are you stuck with it? I have met someone that got a dog from HSP and the first one didn't work out. They freely exchanged the dog with him. However, he dealt with another organization before that and they would not exchange dogs. A special assistance dog can fail for any number of reasons.

Rightf now HSP is booked a year in advance. So getting one is not a simple process. It will also cost you $7500 for the dog which health insurance most likely will not pick up unless you have an insurance that approves anything. You will also have to stay at the dog training facility from 3-4 weeks to actually complete the training with the dog and the facility every day to make sure it works out. So you have to be able to take that time off work.

The website above has alot of information on it and is the #1 recommend diabetic alert dog program in the country.

[christie]

I saw one place in kentucky where its 3,000. thats not too far from where i live. If they alerted to lows it would be a god send to me. I think its such a new thing that not many service dog places are training them yet.

[JediSkipdogg]

I think you are talking about Pawsibilities Unleashed Pet Therapy of Kentucky, Liz Norris, Frankfort Kentucky - Service dogs, therapy dogs, dog training

If you are, here is a little catch....

"You attend the intensive one-week training course or the regular schedule six-week course. The material covered is the same for each. You are responsible for your food, hotel and related expenses during your stay."

So you have to pay for your hotel stay for the week. In the one above I mentioned, the hotel is included. I also personally don't think a service dog can truely be placed in one week, so the six week program I would highly recommend.

It also is such a new thing, I think mostly in the last 5-7 years that people have taken this near impossible task on and more than 50% of the dogs don't work out.

And lastly, you have to realize you are not getting a pet but a service dog. There's a HUGE difference between the two and the service dog needs to go everywhere with you and not just be used to detect hypos at home. Otherwise it's a waste of the dog's ability.

[christie]

i will have to research that more. I can't afford to spend that kind of money for a dog that does'nt alert me. but right now i think i'm ok and then things go black. so that limits me alot.