Diabetic Alert Dog Will Help Young Girl With Challenges of Living With Type 1 Diabetes in Clarksville, Tennessee

Amanda, an 11-year-old girl living with Type 1 DM in Groton, Connecticut, received a very special Diabetic Alert Service Dog delivery today from Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers.

PRESS RELEASE UPDATED: OCT 27, 2017 14:46 EDT

GROTON, Conn., October 27, 2017 (Newswire.com) - ​​Amanda, a Type 1 Diabetic since the age of four, received a very special placement of her own Diabetic Alert Dog from Service Dogs By Warren Retrievers! Based out of Madison, Virginia, Service Dogs By Warren Retrievers, or more commonly known as “SDWR,” places custom trained and bred service dogs for individuals living with invisible disabilities like Diabetes, Autism, PTSD, and Seizure Disorders. With nearly 1,000 families actively enrolled or waiting for their service dog placement, SDWR has a mission to bring each a life-saving service dog.  Amanda’s new service dog, Samba, will be expected to perform necessary tasks to assist her diabetes diagnosis.
Samba, a Labrador Retriever Diabetic Service Dog, recently graduated from the SDWR Service Dog in Training Raiser program. Samba has already received several thousand hours of training with both volunteers and professional trainers in preparation for working service dog life. With the assistance of a certified SDWR trainer, Samba will continue to develop skills to serve Amanda with actions like alerting to high and low blood sugar, dialing 911 on a special device during emergencies, and increasing her independence.
Amanda wears a dexcom along with an insulin pump and does not always feel when she is low. According to Amanda’s mom, Rebecca, "Her pancreas does not produce insulin. Therefore, she has to monitor her blood sugar by testing and giving herself insulin when she eats food." Amanda’s family is hoping that with the assistance of a Diabetic Alert Dog they will have the security they need to help her stay in a good range. Samba will not only be a life-saving asset to Amanda, but also a companion for her to help her when she is feeling ill.

SDWR uses a proprietary scent training method to teach Diabetic Service Dogs to detect fluctuations in blood sugar that fall outside of a handler’s healthy range. Since Samba is a service dog and covered under laws in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, he will be able to accompany Amanda everywhere. Thanks to these laws, Samba can accompany Amanda to any of her extracurricular events since she leads a very active lifestyle - from swimming and gymnastics, to playing at the park or riding her bike.
SDWR will return to Amanda’s home 3-4 times throughout the course of the coming 18 months. During this time, they will continue working on Samba’s customized training and public access certification. This certification can only be given to Samba’s handler, Amanda, after a progression of hard work and dedication to the SDWR training program.
For nearly a decade, SDWR has been utilizing the placement and return training method and received positive results with families worldwide. The organization strives to place dogs with families based on their unique personalities to facilitate a strong bond and positivity​-based training method. SDWR requires no travel by handlers to custom-train a service dog and instead sends trainers to their homes on a set schedule. This ensures the dogs learn all the custom commands in the environment in which they will be expected to work.
Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers is a non-profit organization based in Madison, Virginia, and relies on donations to help the organization in its mission, “Until there’s a cure… There’s a dog.”
To make or donation or learn more about SDWR, please visit the website, http://www.sdwr.org.
To learn more about Diabetic Alert Dogs visit http://www.sdwr.org/service-dogs/diabetic-alert/.
To find out how you can volunteer as a Service Dog in Training Raiser visit http://www.sdwr.org/volunteer-opportunities.

5 Reasons to Invest in a Diabetic Alert Dog Today

When it comes diabetes care, there is little that can compare to the value of Diabetic Alert Dogs. The initial cost can seem intimidating, but this is an investment that has many positive aspects for those affected as well as their caregivers. Here we are listing the top five reasons to invest in a Diabetic Alert Dog.

1. Diabetic Alert Dogs Provide Freedom and Security

Diabetics often feel like they are restrained by the constant monitoring of their blood sugar levels. To let your guard down for even a moment, could result in serious health risks. But with Diabetic Alert Dogs, both diabetics and their caregivers have a sense of freedom and security. These service dogs provide diabetes care in any social setting so you can find the independence you've always wanted.

2. A Side Effect of Diabetes Care is Friendship

Your investment in a service dog for help in diabetes care is the primary goal. However one of the side effects is also a new loving friend. Alert dogs for diabetics are great in filling the role of caregiver, but what is often overlooked is the strong bond that comes along with your new companion, and new family member. Life without your service dog will soon be hard to imagine.

3. Stress Relief and Therapy

When you receive the best dog for Diabetics, your life will change. The constant knot in your stomach and fear that your child isn't being given the proper attention will go away. Safety, joy and independence are just a few qualities that will replace those stressful feelings with your alert dog. With their high capacity for compassion and loyalty, these highly intelligent dogs are sure to be your best form of therapy. There is no price tag for stress free days and an improved quality of life.

4. Round the Clock Diabetes Care

You’re familiar with those sleepless nights waiting for your child’s blood sugar to drop, feeling that at any moment you will need to rush in and give a shot of insulin. But with a diabetic alert dog, those stressful thoughts swirling in your brain will be replaced with a gentle sigh of relief with the knowledge that vigilant eyes are always on them. SDWR service dogs are trained to detect changes in blood sugar any time of the day or night. Your alert dog will be by your child’s side, giving proper diabetes care around the clock, so you can finally sleep well at night.

5. Labrador Retrievers are the best dogs for Diabetics.

In choosing the best dogs for Diabetics, it’s important to find a breed that is capable of completing our intense training program, as well as prove to be loyal companions to their owners. We have pride knowing that Labrador Retrievers are devoted dogs that will always be there for you, no matter what. We've seen firsthand their natural guardian instincts. There is a lot of effort and intelligence that goes into being the best dogs for Diabetics. When a person’s health is at stake, it takes an acute sense of intuition to act immediately and protect. These are just a few of the characteristics we search for in selecting our service dogs. Labrador Retrievers have a true gift for being a Diabetic Alert Dog and also making them the best investment for diabetes care.

If you are a loved one are in need of a service dogs for Diabetic children or adults, please contact us today.

‘Midnight Three & Six’: A Day in the Life of a Juvenile Diabetic

Click here to watch 'Midnight Three & Six'

With its premier in Sundance Film Festival 2015, ‘Midnight Three & Six’ brings us a close look in the life of a juvenile Diabetic, Grace Chamberlain. The film begins with Grace’s mother showing us the many medications prescribed to Grace to handle her diabetes. While showcasing the physical and practical aspects of diabetes, the filmmaker also captures the emotional toll of living with diabetes, both for the care taker and the Diabetic herself. Though Grace is a normal teenager, her life is markedly different through her invisible illness.

On Being a Juvenile Diabetic

Through the film we find Grace’s mother taking great lengths to care for her daughter’s highs and lows. As  a young adult, Grace looks to find independence, while her mother struggles to let her go due to the ongoing diabetes care she needs. As a Diabetic, Grace is wise beyond her years. She acknowledges her disease could cause serious harm if not constantly monitored. As a volatile Diabetic, finding independence proves to be a challenge.

Though ‘Midnight Three & Six’ highlights the serious health risks that come with this invisible illness, it makes sure to highlight the Chamberlain’s one reliable friend: Jackie the Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers Diabetic Alert Dog. Through the film, Jackie plays a crucial role for the Chamberlain family: she provides peace to Grace’s mother, as a “layer of protection between what could happen and what will happen to Grace.” While Grace’s mother finds comfort in the protection that Jackie provides through alerting, Grace finds comfort through her company and companionship:

“When I got Jackie, a lot of things changed for me…I don’t remember being this happy before…I don’t remember liking dogs as much before…I take her everywhere with me…”

We find that a Diabetic Alert Dog provides juvenile Diabetics more than protection: they provide love, solace and friendship. When a child is faced with diabetes, it is pertinent to have a service dog for support and comfort.

Finding Support Through Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers

Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers is proud to have helped make a change in the Chamberlain family. With our support, service dog training and highly selective puppy selection process, families who invest in service dogs for invisible illness always find the miracle they are looking for. In the face of invisible illness, finding a companion who understands your disease and protects you from harm is priceless. If you or a loved one are in need of a Diabetic Alert Dog, contact SDWR today.

Another Reason to Love SDWR Diabetic Alert Dogs

Alert dogs for Diabetics are a miracle for those affected by diabetes. Whether you’re directly affected by diabetes or are involved in diabetes care, a Diabetic Alert Dog can and will change your life. At SDWR, we stand by that statement. Day in and day out, our service dogs provide safety to the thousands of families who suffer alongside this invisible disease. And more than ever, we receive stories like these that remind us why we love our Diabetic Alert Dogs. Read on to find how much this family cherishes their beloved service dog, Blossom:

“Blossom had an AWESOME day! She did 3/4 alerts – and the one she missed was a 203 at dinnertime. As crazy as it was in the house and with me in the kitchen, I’m willing to bet it was me that missed the alert – not Blossom! : )

Tonight Kaci tested at bedtime (8:09pm) at 100. Blossom always goes to Kaci’s room at 8pm and begs to be put up on her bed – but not tonight. She was not going to bed until I fixed her girl! Of course, being the slow learner that I am (and a know-it-all!) I was sure Kaci was fine since she had dinner an hour ago and her blood sugar should be starting to rise. She was definitely on her way up, right? Wrong!

Blossom just didn’t seem tired. We played with her, took her on a walk, but she still wouldn’t settle down. Finally, Kaci was so tired that we decided to just put both of them to bed and see if Blossom would settle in. Not happening – she yipped and fidgeted all over the bed. At 8:40, I had Kaci test – 49! Kaci drank some juice and I put both of them back to bed. When I went in to retest at 9pm, Kaci was 110 and both girls were sleeping peacefully. Blossom, I love you!!”

The peace and happiness our service dogs provide is unmatched. As we know, diabetes doesn’t have to be a burden. Despite what you may have seen through diabetes care, safety and protection from dangerous highs and lows is a possibility. To begin, we choose only pups with the highest scent capabilities and best temperament. Our unique and extensive training program allows us to train service dogs to their best potential. With their countless benefits, there’s no reason not to love our Diabetic Alert Dogs.

If you want to learn more about our alert dogs for diabetics, contact SDWR today.