Diabetes detection dogs

Diabetes detection dogs are assistance dogs trained to detect high or low levels of blood sugar levels, known as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in humans with diabetes.

History

The first dog trained to detect hypoglycemia was a Californian dog called Armstrong in 2003. The success of Armstrong led to the foundation of Dogs for Diabetics, a charity that trains diabetes detection dogs.^[1]

Medical Detection Dogs, a charity in England also trains detection dogs.^[2][3]

Detection

When owners with type 1 diabetes begin to experience hypoglycemia, the detection dogs bark to inform the person.^[4]

References

1. ^ "About Dogs4Diabetics". dogs4diabetics.com. Dogs for Diabetics. http://www.dogs4diabetics.com/about-d4d.html. Retrieved 25 May 2011. 
2. ^ "Amazing dog smells diabetic emergencies". The Telegraph. 7 February 2011. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8309298/Amazing-dog-smells-diabetic-emergencies.html. Retrieved 25 May 2011. 
3. ^ "Medical Alert Dogs". Medical Detection Dogs. http://assistance.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk/. Retrieved 25 May 2011. 
4. ^ Cooper, Georgina (22 June 2009). "British dogs trained to sniff out diabetes". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/06/22/us-diabetes-dogs-idUSTRE55L2B020090622. Retrieved 25 May 2011.