Crush Uncertainty.
Know the Facts.
What is Type 1 Diabetes?“Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic auto-immune condition. In this condition, the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy.
The body’s immune system destroys the pancreas’ insulin producing islet cells meaning there is no way for carbohydrates to be taken from the bloodstream into the muscles and organs. Although type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or adolescence, it can develop in adults.
Type 1 diabetes has no cure. Treatment is directed toward managing the amount of sugar in the blood using insulin, diet and lifestyle to prevent complications.” Mayo Clinic
You cannot survive without injecting insulin into your body day and night. Too little insulin means blood sugar runs dangerously high eventually resulting in cardiovascular damage, loss of vision, amputations, or cardiac arrest…too much insulin can be lethal within hours.
How can a diabetic alert dog help?“Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to alert owners in advance of low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar events before they become dangerous and earlier than any modern technology. That way their handlers can take steps to return their blood sugar to normal such as using glucose sweets or taking insulin. Diabetic Alert Dogs can provide emotional security and a sense of balance for individuals and for those who have or are caregivers for a loved one with diabetes. They can help you lead a more confident and independent lifestyle.” Diabetic Alert Dogs of America
The life-long friendship between the Type 1 individual and their K9s provides emotional support, especially for youth as they move out of the house and away from their caregiver's watchful eyes. They can move on with confidence, and their caregivers can have faith in the security they have provided through the partnership.
Burnout from constant management and technological interruptions is common as youth grow through their normal adolescent changes, but a living and breathing watchful friend is a welcome helper likely to encourage the supported youth in ways nothing else can.
Who qualifies to apply?Financial assistance is based on eligibility, demonstrated need, available funding, and the organization's established selection process. Submission of an application does not guarantee an award.
Sugar Sense K9s does not breed, train, or independently certify diabetic alert dogs. The professional diabetic alert dog provider is responsible for determining whether an applicant is appropriate for a particular dog or training program and applicant will be required to complete their application process as well before being awarded financial assistance from Sugar Sense K9s.
Where do the dogs come from?Diabetic Alert Dogs of America will begin the selection and training of the alert K9 on the financial assistance recipient’s behalf.
Applicants must go through an application process with Diabetic Alert Dogs of America and be approved by their organization as the final step before financial assistance is provided by Sugar Sense K9s.
NOTE: Owning a diabetic alert service dog is a wonderful tool for diabetes management, but does require daily continued training to maintain skills and effectiveness. Please make sure you are prepared for this commitment.
Why are we passionate about this mission?Our lives changed forever with the Type 1 diabetes diagnosis of our young daughter and we now experience first-hand the daily stress and heartbreaking moments for both our daughter and ourselves that come with managing this currently incurable disease. We know and feel the immediate drive to improve the quality of life for families who are ready to pursue a diabetic alert dog but are unable to overcome the financial barrier. Technological advances have greatly helped in management of this disease but the data is not real-time…the K9 is! The dog can greatly reduce sleepless nights, constant worry, lagging corrections due to a slow technology feedback loops to pumps, and the nonstop attention required of this disease.. Sugar Sense K9s was created specifically to help open the door for a service dog for families who otherwise may not be able to afford it so that they may have this added layer of safety for their loved one battling Type 1 diabetes.
How long does it take to be approved and receive a diabetic alert dog?Short Answer: Approx. 1-Year from approval/funding to delivery.
Three triggers affect the beginning of the timeline:
1 - Funding for the K9 must be raised by Sugar Sense K9s.
2- Applicant approval by Sugar Sense K9s for financial assistance.
3- Applicant approval by Diabatic Alert Dogs of America (DAD).
Once these triggers have been met, DAD will begin matching a K9 with the applicant and training begins. There are many variables during training and a chance the dog can not complete the training, in which case, DAD must restart the process with a new K9 until they complete the training. The dog will be approximately 8 months old at delivery.
Why is this organization needed?$22,000 is a significant financial burden for most families. We want to remove that for as many families as we can!
Families facing the daily realities of Type 1 diabetes should not have to wait for an opportunity to become financially possible.
How can I help? Are you a 501©3 so my donation is tax deductible?You can donate as we are blessed to be an operating project partnered under the New Horizons Foundation 501©3 with a fiscal partnership. Sugar Sense K9s is a State of Colorado nonprofit entity.
We rely solely on donations to provide financial assistance to acquire diabetic alert dogs on behalf of qualified and approved applicants. Your donation will help save lives and give Type 1 diabetics more peace of mind and an added level of safety in their daily lives.
Our goal is to raise enough to assist financially with placing at least 2 dogs per year with qualified Type 1 diabetic applicants. The cost of each dog is approximately $22,000.
Note: Donating will not impact an applicant’s application, but we’re grateful for the support of the mission.
Sugar Sense K9s Vision StatementWe envision a world where financial barriers do not prevent individuals living with Type 1 diabetes from pursuing a professionally trained diabetic alert dog.
We see a future where families who once believed a K9 partnership was financially impossible are given a genuine opportunity to pursue one; where donors see the tangible impact of their generosity; and where communities come together to provide hope, opportunity, and support.
We envision individuals with Type 1 diabetes experiencing greater confidence, independence, safety, and peace of mind alongside a professionally trained K9 partner.
Most importantly, we envision a community where faith becomes action, generosity opens doors, and seemingly impossible circumstances are overcome.
Inspired by Philippians 4:13, Sugar Sense K9s believes that financial circumstances should not determine whether a person has the opportunity to pursue a potentially life-changing and life-saving K9 partnership.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13
Why can't families just train their own dog to save money?1: They don’t know how to select a dog and that alone can be very pricy.
2: They are not professional dog trainers. These K9s not only have to be certified to incredibly rigorous behavioral standards, they must also be trained to smell changes in blood sugar.
3: Many establishments DO NOT RECOGNIZE personally trained service K9s. Diabetic Alert Dogs of America is one of the most widely recognized training organizations in the country and their certifications allow owners to have confidence that they will be able to travel freely throughout the country and to many international destinations knowing they can provide them with DAD credentials.