Doggies Rule! The Story of Hunter and Diva

In the middle of the night in a "typical" family home in Florida, a 12 year old girl, named Hunter, sleeps, while her German Shepherd, Diva, lies close by, snoozing on her own bed. All is well with the world...or is it? You see, several times during the night, Diva will get up and check Hunter's scent. If Diva doesn't like what she smells, she will alert Hunter's parents...starting with a nudge, escalating to turning circles or to jumping, whatever it takes to get her job done.

You see, Diva is a diabetes service dog, who has been trained to detect Hunter's blood sugar levels, because Hunter has type 1 diabetes, a dreadful disease that she has learned to live with since she was diagnosed at just 6 years old. Her daily regimen involves constant testing, insulin shots, even an insulin pump, a very restricted, although incredibly healthy, diet and a lot of help from her beautiful furry companion. And, Diva is amazing at what she does, usually detecting both lows and highs before any symptoms occur. She's even been known to bring Hunter or her parents a test kit in her mouth if that's what it takes to get someone's attention. That's a blessing because Hunter can get flu-like symptoms, including stomach aches and migraines when her blood sugar is high or headaches and the shakes when it's low.

Thanks to our work with the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), our charity beneficiary for the "I'm Tired of Diabetes" bracelet, I was given the pleasure of interviewing Hunter and her mother, Donna, both of whom wear our bracelets, (Diva was there too!) about their struggle with Hunter's condition and Diva's role in her treatment. It completely reinforced how important it is to raise money as quickly as possible to find a cure. I had no idea how traumatic it can be and the work involved on the part of both the impacted child and his or her parents to keep the child safe and healthy, both physically and psychologically. Nor did I know that there are service dogs, like the incredible Diva, trained for this type of work.

When Hunter was first diagnosed, the family launched itself into what Donna describes as "Diabetes Academy." As she tells it, "You spend the first six months living on a computer and getting through a lot of sleepless nights. You have to get up every hour and a half in the middle of the night to test. We couldn't sleep and Hunter couldn't get any sleep," noting that Diva has changed that. We ended up going to a National Children with Diabetes conference and, for three days, we went to school to really learn how to handle the situation.

It was Donna, who came up with the idea of bringing a service dog into the family. Her rationale was that if police dogs could be trained to pick up the scent of explosives, then dogs should also be able to differentiate someone's breath and other scents, explaining that diabetics can have a fruity breath smell, a symptom of high blood sugar. "I wasn't sure if anything like that existed," she explains. After much research, Donna found that such diabetes service dogs did, in fact, exist in the form of Beverly Swartz and her company, All Purpose Canines, which specializes in placing services dogs with both diabetic and autistic children. The demand for these dogs has been so huge, in fact, that the company has had to stop accepting applications temporarily for diabetic service dogs because of the big wait list and the more rigorous training involved. "Beverly made it very clear that the training took a long time, that there was a lot of care involved with the dogs and that the dog and child had to be matched up if it was going to work," Donna said.

Nevertheless, they made the trip to South Dakota to meet Diva, who has changed their lives, and ironically, was born on the same day that Hunter was diagnosed. How's that for "kismet!" "Diva was very quick in catching on to my certain scents," Hunter said. "When I first saw her, immediately, she was alerting and running all over the place, trying to tell someone that I was 'high.'" Beverly added that Diva even alerted on the plane on the way back to Florida.

She cautions, however, that a service dog is not right for every family because it takes a lot of work and the right attitude towards the dog. "Out of hundreds of people, maybe three or four are good service dog candidates. The dog isn't a cure for diabetes. It is another tool," Beverly asserts. "As good as Diva is, she's not 100% and she may miss sometimes or give a false hit. But, she'd also rather do her job than eat." Hunter adds, "She may not be exactly accurate all the time, but she's pretty darn good...she really is."

"Hunter knows that if she fails to do her insulin, the dog is going to let her know," Donna says, "but the emotional support is also paramount in the relationship." She shared that if Hunter is having a really bad day, where she is experiencing highs or lows, Diva will lie next to her and they'll put on Neil Diamond music (a family favorite) while she waits for her blood sugar to level out so she starts to feel better.

"Diva is a friend. She's a companion. She's like a little sister to me, but in dog form," Hunter gushes. "No matter how I feel, she comes to me. She knows if I'm mad or something. If I'm sad or having a really bad day, I can just lay there with her and she calms me down and makes me feel better."

While I was on the phone with Hunter and Donna, Diva started alerting. Donna very calmly said to Hunter, "Diva wants to talk to you. She's alerting right now. She's having a fit." Doggies rule!

Editor's Note:

Difficult times have been known to bring communities together as people lean on one another for support. In this recession, there's no shortage of communities around the country that have rallied around a struggling neighbor, or reached out a helping hand to those around them. We know there are more stories like these and HuffPost wants to highlight them. If you read or hear about an act of kindness in your community, email us the story at [e-mail].

These vignettes are a much needed counterpoint to the doom and gloom surrounding the economy; let's help change the conversation -- we can't do it without you.

Comments

[Rollendonner]

I'm a diabetic and I have kidney failure. I also have a Service Dog she's my best friend and she gives me the freedom to go anywhere and do anything without having to have someone with me.

She's a German Shepherd. I own her parents and had sold her to only have her come back to me. I found out that she can detect seizures and had planned to place her with a friend who she detected the seizure but she also started bugging me by whining, flea biting me and barking in circles. Every time that she did this I was very low with my blood sugars.

She's a lifesaver and a blessing to own.

[DrCharlesMartin]

What a charming, inspiring story. Diva is truly a wonderful tool for Hunter's family to use in helping her monitor her diabetes. The growth in our understanding of diabetes, ways to monitor it and also about the links between diabetes and other diseases are all promising for those who live with diabetes. On my blog at www.dentistryfordiabetics.com/blog, I write extensively about diabetes, oral health and how good dental treatment can help people with diabetes control the disease.

Charles Martin, DDS
Founder, Dentistry for Diabetics

[siciliabel]

This dog is truly something special, and I don't wish to take the focus away from her but when I read that the demand is so high for this type of service dog that there is a huge wait list, I had to mention an alternative.

Our son, 16, is Type 1 diabetic, diagnosed at age 9. He wears an insulin infusion pump and has recently acquired a constant glucose monitoring sensor. He wears this like he wears his pump and it can spot trends when his blood sugar spikes high or low and he can adjust his insulin delivery in response. The goal eventually is that a sensor will be able to "instruct" his pump to adjust his insulin delivery without his intervention.

I bring this up as an alternative to those who would have to wait longer for a service dog than they want to. To be sure, his sensor could never be the companion Diva is, and he would rather have her in a heartbeat, but you play the cards you're dealt.

[BlackYowe]

What a wonderful insight. Thank you so much!

[scrubzbody]

Awesome article Carrie. Really cool and inspiring story. Thanks!

[anitaj]

A blood-glucose backup monitoring system that also provides unconditional love, moral support and sloppy kisses. Congratulations to Hunter and Diva in making the best of a life-threatening situation. There truly are beautiful moments in life.

[petphotos]

Great story and comments. For a few years I had a wonderful time capturing the love of these amazing creatures in photographic images. Best business I could have had.

[glockman]

I simply don't think I can trust a person who doesn't like dogs.

I have two companions myself.

[cherry33]

Strongly agree.

[liminal67]

Well said..

http://pitchbendpost.blogspot.com/

[patianneb]

I feel that way about animals in general. We have seven "children"; five of which are rescued and frankly I prefer their company to that of most (not all) humans.

[evekendall]

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchDiabetes.shtml

[PatA]

Dogs Rock!

My dog quit sleeping in my bedroom when my mother had several strokes. He saw a need and dedicated himself to resting behind her bed at night. I would hear her move and Tippy would wag his tail against the wall. She would say "Tippy, Tippy". Those were the only words she was able to say during her 5 year illness. If he sensed that she was uncomfortable or needed my assistance, he left her bedside and came to get me. After her funeral Tip jumped upon her bed and howled his goodbye to Mom.

[brooklyncitizen]

: (

[cherry33]

PatA-

That was a touching story. It's amazing how emotions are not exclusive to humans. I can't help but believe in a Supreme Being when I think about stuff like this. It's so easy not to believe in anything until you interact on such a deep level with an animal.

I love your story. I'm very sorry about your mom. I hope you and Tippy are doing very well. Thank you for sharing that beautiful story. I'll always remember it, and I know I'll be telling a few friends who will appreciate it as well.

[PlaceboStudman]

Read this story, and the many millions just like it, then try to tell me (as I've heard so many times) that animals don't have souls. All you have to do is look in a pet's eyes to see its soul

[evekendall]

Agreed. Anyone who has lived with animals knows they have souls, intelligence, and "family values!"

I have observed a complete range of emotions in my dogs, including love, affection, happiness, sadness, pride, anger, boredom, joy, worry, frustration, annoyance, jealousy, and suffering. They also have beautiful smiles!

Lion hugs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bicIwwQhNtc

More lion hugs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkglYMYbyeo&feature=related

Elephants painting!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He7Ge7Sogrk

[PresidentRobertBooth]

Dogs are very nice, but let's not forget about cats too.

Kings of the jungle, rulers of the pridelands.

Loving pets.


Spare a thought for cats. That's all I ask.

[evekendall]

I love both.

[brooklyncitizen]

Cats rock too.

[cherry33]

I like cats, but I admit I am prejudiced. I know, I know, I'm slightly ashamed to say it because I'm a huge animal lover. I tend to be a bit distrustful people who prefer cats to dogs. Well, maybe it's because I know there's a "gang war" between cats and dogs. And in that case,I choose my dog's side. LOL.

[evekendall]

I love these animal stories. Huffington Post does have a whole "big news" page devoted to animals, but it is hard to get to unless you bookmark it. I wish they would put an "Animals" link at the top of the page with other links such as "Politics" "Living" "World" "Chicago" etc.

[evekendall]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/animals

[CR46]

What a wonderful article! Not only is Diva a nurse she is Hunters constant companion and nothing beats the love of a dog. 2 of my small dogs (both rescues) visit hospitals and nursing homes, while they do not have such specific skills as Diva, they spread love.

[TazoWolf]

I had a Shiloh shepherd who, years ago when my bone marrow failed, would go to the store down the street and pick up my groceries. I'd call ahead, send him over, where someone would meet him and put my groceries in his backpack, and send him home.

Too many people don't give dogs the credit they deserve. They are incredibly intelligent animals.