Today is Assistance Dog Day
By kimbers867
@kimbers867 (2539)
United States
August 14, 2008 8:01am CST
Pay tribute to the selfless love, devotion and care provided by assistance dogs, including service dogs, guide dogs, hearing alert dogs and alert/seizure response dogs.
A friend of mine has a son who is a diabetic, they just got him a service dog. His disease is so bad, that his mom has not slept through an entire night because she has to check his insulin levels throughout the night. Jac is 6 and a great little guy. I never heard of service dogs for diabetics, but I think it is so cool. Apparently he can sense something from just a person's breath.
2 people like this
2 responses
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
15 Aug 08
Hello kimbers867.
I've heard about having service dogs for diabetics and even heard a story where one of the dogs sensed the owner was going to go in to a diabetic seizure and sought help right away. The person was saved.
These assistance dogs are just incredible, aren't they? I've even heard that the miniature ponies are also being trained for use as assistance animals. Amazing!
1 person likes this
@kimbers867 (2539)
• United States
15 Aug 08
Jac's mom decided to check into it because Jac felt like he was loosing his independence and he was having problems sleeping at night because he was afraid he wouldn't wake up. He is such a great little kid. He had to have his second shunt put in his skull three days before school let out. I'm anxious to see if Mo Jo starts first grade with him. Technically, the dog is allowed in school with him. His mom hasn't decided if she is going to let the dog go or not.
1 person likes this
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
15 Aug 08
It sounds like the dog will be a great source of support, comfort, and security for Jac. Hopefully, he'll get over his fears a little bit. Take care.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
14 Aug 08
I love dogs and I think assistant dogs are fantastic. There are so many people that are helped by having these dogs. There are so many people that are able to live on their own with the help of these dogs, that would otherwise not be able to. I have a friend that trains search and rescue dogs, they are amazing also. I recently watched a program on training assistant dogs, it showed them from puppies learning basic commands through their full training to graduating and going to the person they would be living with. It was interesting to watch them learn all the things necessary to be able to help their human through everyday life.
1 person likes this
@kimbers867 (2539)
• United States
15 Aug 08
When I was growing up, I had a penpal in California, whose family raised dogs to become service dogs. I thought it was so cool.
My problem is I wouldn't want to give up the dogs!
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
15 Aug 08
That would be my problem too, I would get too attached.
