Title

close iconicon dots

Resources

Type 1’s Best Friend: Understanding Diabetic Alert Dogs

Diabetic alert dogs are trained using advanced scent detection methods for a variety of life-saving tasks. Discover how these specially trained pups not only detect blood sugar changes but also offer emotional companionship, enhancing the lives of those with type 1 diabetes.

Type 1’s Best Friend: Understanding Diabetic Alert Dogs

Since insulin was first invented in 1921, science and technology have grown significantly related to managing blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). From continuous glucose monitors (CGM) like the Dexcom or Freestyle Libre to tubeless pumps like the Omnipod, diabetes tech has grown and continues to grow. 

But, for some T1Ds, relying solely on these technical advancements can fall short of their specific needs, and they may be searching for alternative options to help manage their condition. Perhaps they want an option with more humanity, gentleness, or even fur. 

Today, we are breaking down everything there is to learn about diabetic alert dogs—pups specifically trained to support individuals with type 1 diabetes in all ways they can. 

Diabetes Super Dog Training

According to Diabetic Alert Dogs of America, their dogs are trained using the same methods as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to train scent detection in dogs. But, instead of searching for anything potentially criminal, these pups are here to sniff out their owner’s blood glucose (sugar) levels. 

Diabetic alert dogs are trained to detect a change in smell from their owner, indicating lower or higher blood sugar levels than normal. This way, the dog can alert their owner and let them know something is wrong, whether that means taking some insulin for hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or getting a sugary snack to avert hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 

Diabetic Servie Dog "Disco"

Dog’s Olfactory Power 

You and I could probably never smell the difference between high and low blood sugar, but our furry friends can. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell. They are believed to be able to smell a change in their owner's blood sugar levels by recognizing changes in the scent of sweat or saliva. 

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) proposed a theory in the Diabetes Care Journal on how dogs detect blood sugar levels surrounding the compound isoprene—a volatile organic compound (VOC) that rises significantly in the breath of someone experiencing hypoglycemia. 

Researchers found that hypoglycemia significantly raises the presence of isoprene (found in breath). While it is unclear if this is exactly what diabetic alert dogs recognize, it is the most notable compound to increase when patients are hypoglycemic. 

Responsibilities of a Diabetic Alert Dog

Depending on the individual’s needs, a diabetic alert dog can be trained to perform a variety of responsibilities. Most importantly, for people with type 1 diabetes, diabetic alert service dogs are trained to detect low or high blood sugar. They can even carry sugary foods or insulin in their harnesses, making medical supplies quick and convenient. 

Diabetic alert service dogs can be trained to complete different tasks besides recognizing and alerting to blood sugar levels. 

Assist with Balance

For some T1Ds, high or low blood sugar levels can interrupt a person’s balance, and dogs can be trained to brace their owners and support them if and when they feel unsteady.  Some dogs can also be instructed alongside specific technology that can help to assist their owners during an emergency. Little Angels Service Dogs, a service dog training group, trains diabetic alert dogs to interact with a button that, when pressed, sends an automated alert to five pre-determined phone numbers. 

Finding Your Diabetes Service Dog

A few different routes and options exist when getting a diabetic alert service dog. To qualify for a diabetic alert dog, you must have some form of diabetes, either type 1, type 2, or even gestational. Dogs4Diabetics, a branch of the National Institute for Canine Service and Training, is the oldest accredited service dog provider for people with diabetes. Workshops about how to get a dog are available on their website. 

Many groups train and provide diabetic alert dogs, including Diabetic Alert Dogs of America, Little Angels Service Dogs, and the Ron Santo Foundation.  The Ron and Vicki Santo Diabetic Alert Dog Foundation's mission is to education people about the availability and efficacy of diabetic alert dogs.

Note: Did you know Ron Santo was the first professional baseball player to have type 1 diabetes? Read more about Major League Baseball players with type 1 diabetes here

Additionally, pet owners may consider getting their dogs trained by accredited professionals. Groups like Service Dog Training International can offer teaching courses so your pet can learn the commands it needs to best support someone with diabetes. 

The Cost of Diabetes Service Dogs

Due to the extensive training involved in preparing diabetic alert dogs for service, adopting a dog can be quite pricey. Additionally, service animals are not typically covered by most insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid. 

The price of a dog can range from $8,000 to $20,000, but certain groups can provide dogs to patients for free if they meet certain criteria. 

Diabetic Alert Dogs: Truth or Hype

A recent study conducted for the scientific journal Public Library of Science (PLOS), reviewed 27 diabetic service dogs and their abilities and found that the dogs were responsive to about 83% of the hypoglycemic episodes and 67% of the hyperglycemic episodes. 

While these numbers aren’t bad, they are lower than the accuracy of a CGM, which is about 95% accurate, with an exact reading within a 20% margin of actual blood sugar levels. 

But while dogs might not be as accurate as a CGM on paper, people who have diabetic alert dogs cite a level of support from the dog that CGMs just don’t match. 

Many owners express an additional comfort that comes with having a diabetic-alert dog—not just as a method of controlling and knowing blood sugar levels but as a friend who can support them in more ways than one. While we might not know too much about the science of sniffing out blood sugar, we do know how dogs can affect human beings. 

Dogs can be man’s best friend to nearly anyone, but for people living with chronic illnesses such as type 1 diabetes, dogs can also increase psychological and emotional functioning, both from being trained to complete certain tasks and from acting as a companion. For some, dogs can act as nonjudgmental supporters, sitting or walking by your side as you tackle the huge journey of living with a chronic illness. 

For more information about whether you might benefit from a diabetic alert dog, communicate with your endocrinologist and medical team to determine what services work best for you. 

Latest News

Read all
arrow
T1D Strong NewsT1D Strong DNA test got another award - Diabetes Center Berne Innovation Challenge

Diabetes Center Bern announced the Top 6 projects of the Diabetes Innovation Challenge.

T1D Team

T1D Team

T1D Strong NewsT1D Strong DNA test has been awarded at ADA 2024 conference

Our DNA test is selected as one of the finalists for the American Diabetes Association Innovation Challenge 2024!

T1D Team

T1D Team

T1D Strong NewsAchieving the Milestone - 100 Articles Published!

We're just getting started! Committed to empowering the T1D community, we continue to share knowledge and stories.

T1D Team

T1D Team

Read all
arrow

Related Articles

The latest news, technologies, and resources from our team.

Eversense 365—The New One-Year CGM
ResourcesEversense 365—The New One-Year CGM
Going Low Unnoticed: A Guide to Hypoglycemia Unawareness 
ResourcesGoing Low Unnoticed: A Guide to Hypoglycemia Unawareness 
How to Reverse Prediabetes Naturally
ResourcesHow to Reverse Prediabetes Naturally
First T1D Functional Cure Using Immunosuppressive Therapy
ResourcesFirst T1D Functional Cure Using Immunosuppressive Therapy
Stem Cell Therapy to Reverse T1D Inspires Hope
ResourcesStem Cell Therapy to Reverse T1D Inspires Hope
Combatting Dawn Phenomenon 
ResourcesCombatting Dawn Phenomenon 
Diamyd Medical has a Clinical Trial for Newly Diagnosed T1Ds
ResourcesDiamyd Medical has a Clinical Trial for Newly Diagnosed T1Ds
Health2Sync Offers Diabetes Management Solutions to Users Worldwide
ResourcesHealth2Sync Offers Diabetes Management Solutions to Users Worldwide
Glowcose is Lighting up the Diabetes World 
ResourcesGlowcose is Lighting up the Diabetes World 
The Other 5 Dysfunctional Hormones of Type 1 Diabetes
ResourcesThe Other 5 Dysfunctional Hormones of Type 1 Diabetes
The Diabetes Brain Connection
ResourcesThe Diabetes Brain Connection
T1D Human Trials Happening Right Now
ResourcesT1D Human Trials Happening Right Now
12 Best Diabetes Apps of 2024
Resources12 Best Diabetes Apps of 2024
The Stages of Type 1 Diabetes
ResourcesThe Stages of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes Screening – Here’s What You Need to Know
ResourcesType 1 Diabetes Screening – Here’s What You Need to Know
Top Type 1 Research Breakthroughs to Watch in 2024
ResourcesTop Type 1 Research Breakthroughs to Watch in 2024
College Diabetes Network offers T1D Peer Support
ResourcesCollege Diabetes Network offers T1D Peer Support
Yeast Infections and Type 1 Diabetes: The Unspoken Symptom
ResourcesYeast Infections and Type 1 Diabetes: The Unspoken Symptom
Medical Alert Tattoos for Diabetes
ResourcesMedical Alert Tattoos for Diabetes
The 2024 Insulin Shortage and What You Need to Know
ResourcesThe 2024 Insulin Shortage and What You Need to Know
A Simple Way to Prevent Misdiagnosing Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes
ResourcesA Simple Way to Prevent Misdiagnosing Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes
T1D Highlights from the ADA 84th Scientific Sessions
ResourcesT1D Highlights from the ADA 84th Scientific Sessions
PCOS and Type 1 Diabetes: What’s the Link? 
ResourcesPCOS and Type 1 Diabetes: What’s the Link? 
T1D Documentaries: Lights, Camera, Insulin!
ResourcesT1D Documentaries: Lights, Camera, Insulin!
Double Diabetes: Can You Get Type 1 and Type 2?
ResourcesDouble Diabetes: Can You Get Type 1 and Type 2?
Understanding Diabulimia: A Type 1 Diabetes Eating Disorder
ResourcesUnderstanding Diabulimia: A Type 1 Diabetes Eating Disorder
JDRF is Now Breakthrough T1D™
ResourcesJDRF is Now Breakthrough T1D™
Breakthrough T1D (Formerly JDRF) Offers Resources to Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
ResourcesBreakthrough T1D (Formerly JDRF) Offers Resources to Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
LADA Diabetes - Everything You Need to Know about Type 1.5
ResourcesLADA Diabetes - Everything You Need to Know about Type 1.5
Diabetes and Your Weight: Helpful Tips to Manage the Risks
ResourcesDiabetes and Your Weight: Helpful Tips to Manage the Risks
9 Tips for Better Time in Range
Resources9 Tips for Better Time in Range
Type 1 Diabetes and Family History
ResourcesType 1 Diabetes and Family History
Different Types of Diabetes
ResourcesDifferent Types of Diabetes
Low Blood Sugar Anxiety
ResourcesLow Blood Sugar Anxiety
7 Summer Safety Tips with Type 1 Diabetes
Resources7 Summer Safety Tips with Type 1 Diabetes
Gluroo: A User-Friendly App that Streamlines Diabetes Management
ResourcesGluroo: A User-Friendly App that Streamlines Diabetes Management
Top Questions to Ask Your Endocrinologist
ResourcesTop Questions to Ask Your Endocrinologist
Camping with Type 1 Diabetes
ResourcesCamping with Type 1 Diabetes
The Down Low on DKA
ResourcesThe Down Low on DKA
The Special Diabetes Program and Why it’s Important
ResourcesThe Special Diabetes Program and Why it’s Important
What to Do With Extra Diabetes Supplies 
ResourcesWhat to Do With Extra Diabetes Supplies 
GLP-1s for Weight Loss and People with Type 1 Diabetes
ResourcesGLP-1s for Weight Loss and People with Type 1 Diabetes
Pumping Iron and Pumping Insulin: How the Two Go Hand in Hand
ResourcesPumping Iron and Pumping Insulin: How the Two Go Hand in Hand
Diabetes and Nutrition: Why What You Eat Matters
ResourcesDiabetes and Nutrition: Why What You Eat Matters
Inhaled Insulin – Everything You Need to Know
ResourcesInhaled Insulin – Everything You Need to Know
Most Popular Films with a Diabetes Twist
ResourcesMost Popular Films with a Diabetes Twist
 9 Ways to Raise Blood Sugar Quickly
Resources 9 Ways to Raise Blood Sugar Quickly
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Seeks Solutions to Cure T1D
ResourcesVertex Pharmaceuticals Seeks Solutions to Cure T1D
Keep it Simple This Year with No Resolutions—Just Healthy Habits
ResourcesKeep it Simple This Year with No Resolutions—Just Healthy Habits
DiabetesSangha – A Meditation Community Where All is Welcome
ResourcesDiabetesSangha – A Meditation Community Where All is Welcome
The T1D Thyroid Disease Connection
ResourcesThe T1D Thyroid Disease Connection
8 Tips to Help You Sleep with Diabetes
Resources8 Tips to Help You Sleep with Diabetes
Tandem Diabetes Care Revolutionizes Insulin Delivery with Dexcom G7 Integration
ResourcesTandem Diabetes Care Revolutionizes Insulin Delivery with Dexcom G7 Integration
Top 7 Diabetes Podcasts to Educate, Empower and Entertain
ResourcesTop 7 Diabetes Podcasts to Educate, Empower and Entertain
Diabetes and Addiction
ResourcesDiabetes and Addiction
Connected in Motion: A Diabetes Camp for Adults
ResourcesConnected in Motion: A Diabetes Camp for Adults
StartUp Health’s T1D Moonshot Ignites a Call to Action 
ResourcesStartUp Health’s T1D Moonshot Ignites a Call to Action 
Empowering Lives: Nonprofits Making a Difference in the Type 1 Diabetes Community
ResourcesEmpowering Lives: Nonprofits Making a Difference in the Type 1 Diabetes Community
Navigating the Sweet Spooks: A Guide to a Safe Halloween with Diabetes
ResourcesNavigating the Sweet Spooks: A Guide to a Safe Halloween with Diabetes
Enhance-d: A Software Solution to Simplify Glucose Management
ResourcesEnhance-d: A Software Solution to Simplify Glucose Management
Amazon Pharmacy Now Offers Insulin for $35 a Month
ResourcesAmazon Pharmacy Now Offers Insulin for $35 a Month
Diabetes and School - Know Your Rights
ResourcesDiabetes and School - Know Your Rights
Diabetes Support Groups for Young Adults
ResourcesDiabetes Support Groups for Young Adults
Dry Eye Syndrome and Diabetes
ResourcesDry Eye Syndrome and Diabetes
Undermyfork, a Mobile App Success in Diabetes Management
ResourcesUndermyfork, a Mobile App Success in Diabetes Management
Preparing for Emergencies with Type 1 Diabetes
ResourcesPreparing for Emergencies with Type 1 Diabetes
Finding the Right Automated Insulin Delivery System for You
ResourcesFinding the Right Automated Insulin Delivery System for You
Enable Biosciences – Transforming Early T1D Detection
ResourcesEnable Biosciences – Transforming Early T1D Detection
Load More
background image

Knowledge Base

Resources

Knowledge hub for advanced information on Type 1 Diabetes.

Learn more

arrow

I May Have T1D Rather Than T2D?

Understanding common queries and exclusive information about diabetes of any type.

Learn more

arrow

Life with T1D

Strategies to enhance lifestyle optimization with Type 1 Diabetes.

Learn more

arrow

Personal Stories

Life stories of relentless individuals fostering resilience and empowering others.

Learn more

arrow

Newly Diagnosed

Insightful guidance, strategic tips, and inspiring narratives.

Learn more

arrow

T1D Basics

Fundamental lifestyle suggestions for optimal nutrition, emotions and innovative routines.

Learn more

arrow

Daily Management

Revamp your lifestyle with our transformative guidelines for Type 1 Diabetes management.

Learn more

arrow

T1D Strong News

Stay updated with the latest from T1D Strong: product updates, company events, notable achievements and our future plans.

Learn more

arrow