Subscribe Now

* You will receive the latest news and updates on your favorite celebrities!

Trending News

T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
  • Activity
    • 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      In July, I went on the only Medicare plan in my area that covered Afrezza. For 2024, no one is covering it. Like others, hate these formulary decisions by the Insurance providers.
    • 6 hours, 2 minutes ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Schush! I know it's supposed to be 4 but since my Endo follows my Dex and I hit an A1c of 5.4 with 0 Hypos I'm happy. Just lost my wife and will be moving further from my Endo and hope TeleVisits will do as I will also start visiting a Gerontologist.
    • 6 hours, 28 minutes ago
      Bekki Weston likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    • 6 hours, 30 minutes ago
      Bekki Weston likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I answered NO for 2023 but in 2024 I will have to switch from Humalog to Novolog.
    • 7 hours, 1 minute ago
      Bill Williams likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Four, because Medicare. I was fine going 2x/yr for decades before that. But Medicare doesn't care what your Dr thinks. Rules is rules.
    • 8 hours, 10 minutes ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      With Medicare's change to the cost of insulin, my Part D plan dropped Novolog. $35 "limit" only works if insurers have your medication on their formulary.
    • 8 hours, 23 minutes ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 8 hours, 23 minutes ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Lispro, aspart, and glulisine are also FDA-approved for pump use (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6695255/). These are the generic versions of Humalog, Novolog and Apidra, respectively.
    • 8 hours, 40 minutes ago
      jo likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      This past year my doctor appts were my new social life!
    • 8 hours, 40 minutes ago
      jo likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Schush! I know it's supposed to be 4 but since my Endo follows my Dex and I hit an A1c of 5.4 with 0 Hypos I'm happy. Just lost my wife and will be moving further from my Endo and hope TeleVisits will do as I will also start visiting a Gerontologist.
    • 9 hours, 4 minutes ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Four, because Medicare. I was fine going 2x/yr for decades before that. But Medicare doesn't care what your Dr thinks. Rules is rules.
    • 10 hours, 33 minutes ago
      Bruce Schnitzler likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      @George Lovelace. {{{{{Hugs}}}}} to you, sir. Are you getting support after the loss of your wife? I do hope so.
    • 11 hours, 6 minutes ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Medicare requires me to see my endo every 90 days if I want them to approve my insulin pump supplies....despite my very good control. Otherwise, my endo would be happy to see me twice a year. An example of Medicare being "penny-wise and pound-foolish" by paying for "medically-unnecessary" office visit costs.
    • 11 hours, 52 minutes ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      I am required to see my Endo every three months by Medicare. Otherwise, I'd probably go 2 times per year.
    • 11 hours, 52 minutes ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Medicare requires me to see my endo every 90 days if I want them to approve my insulin pump supplies....despite my very good control. Otherwise, my endo would be happy to see me twice a year. An example of Medicare being "penny-wise and pound-foolish" by paying for "medically-unnecessary" office visit costs.
    • 1 day, 2 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    • 1 day, 2 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 1 day, 2 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I didn't have to change but I couldn't get a new one from Caremark because it wasn't on the formulary. I used an AARP pharmacy card and got a $44 Rx for $18. Like Bob, I hate formulary!
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Long-acting insulin changed from basaglar to lantus for the upcoming year. Not a big deal since she moved to a pump this past year.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I have to change my insurance company now for 2024 so that i can continue to afford humalog. (or I have to switch to Lyumjev if I keep my current plan) I was startled to see that on my current plan, humalog would cost 16,000 next year (for the full year). Everyone, check your plans!
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    • 1 day, 12 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    Clear All
Pages
    • T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
    • Articles
    • Community
      • About
      • Insights
      • T1D Screening
        • T1D Screening How-To
        • T1D Screening Results
        • T1D Screening Resources
      • Donate
      • Join the Community
    • Quality Improvement
      • About
      • Collaborative
        • Leadership
        • Committees
      • Clinics
      • Meet the Experts
      • Learning Sessions
      • Resources
        • Change Packages
        • Sick Day Guide
      • Portal
      • Health Equity
        • Heal Advisors
      • Join Us
    • Registry
      • About
      • Recruit for the Registry
    • Research
      • About
      • Publications
      • COVID-19 Research
      • Our Initiatives
    • Partners
      • About
      • Previous Work
      • Academic Partnerships
      • Industry Partnerships
    • About
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Culture & Careers
      • Annual Report
    • Join / Login
    • Donate

    Would you ever consider getting a diabetic alert dog? Tell us why or why not in the comments!

    Home > LC Polls > Would you ever consider getting a diabetic alert dog? Tell us why or why not in the comments!
    Previous

    If you are an adult with T1D, have you ever had a kidney transplant? If so, how old were you at the time?

    Next

    Has a T1D diagnosis (yours or a loved one's) influenced you to pursue a career in health care?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

    Related Stories

    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Improving Quality of Life with Type 1 Diabetes Through Technology 

    Jewels Doskicz, 4 days ago 7 min read  
    Question of the Day

    Living with T1D: What Are You Thankful For? 

    Samantha Walsh, 5 days ago 3 min read  
    Lifestyle

    How to Meet People with Type 1 Diabetes in Your Local Community  

    Sarah Howard, 6 days ago 3 min read  
    Research

    Misdiagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes: Why Adults Should be Screened for Autoantibodies  

    Ginger Vieira, 2 weeks ago 6 min read  
    Research

    Day 2: Improving Diabetes Patient Care — Highlights from T1DX-QI Learning Session 2023  

    Ginger Vieira, 3 weeks ago 6 min read  
    Research

    Day 1: Improving Diabetes Patient Care — Highlights from T1DX-QI Learning Session 2023  

    Ginger Vieira, 3 weeks ago 10 min read  

    55 Comments

    1. Thomas Cline

      Not that I don’t like dogs, but my CGM works fine and doesn’t need to be fed or walked or boarded when I’m on vacation.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Melissa Neese

      I’d love to get one but they’re soooo expensive

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Andrea J. Schedel

      I’m afraid to live alone because of hypoglycemic unawareness. I do have a med-alert button, but if I wake up in a low, I don’t think of using it because my brain is so foggy. My new pump/CGM alarms are not volume adjustable. This is so awful. My phone is too old to use with my pump&CGM so I can’t make use of the app. It’s a shame they still have no good solution for this & that the dogs are so expensive.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Janice B

      I love, and have always had dogs but from everything that I have read alert dogs are not as reliably accurate as my Dexcom CGM so I will stick with the technology.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Vince Shockney

      I had one a few years ago. In my opinion, the money is better spent on a CGM. They require so much time, effort, and money. I have always loved dogs and they have been in my life for many years . I prefer them as friends, family, and pets.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Yaffa Steubinger

      I have a Dexcom and don’t feel a need for an alert dog. My Dexcom is my life saver.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Sherolyn Newell

      I already have two Irish wolfhounds, so I really don’t want to add another. For those of you who don’t know, that’s already 300 pounds of dog. When they are gone, I think I’m ready to not have that responsibility for a while.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Edwin Wright

      I chose “other” because I had started to train my Labrador Retriever for this, but realized that I didn’t have the time to devote to this, and my wife spoiled him too much when she was home with him. Don’t really need one with my new pump features, but thought it’d be nice to be able to bring the dog to more places with us if he had a “job.”

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Glenda Schuessler

      I use an insulin pump and CGM, those along with the support of my husband leads to me indicate I most likely would not pursue getting a diabetic alert dog. I’m more of a cat person! One of my cats served as my alert animal before I had a CGM, she would wake me at night if she sensed that I was too low.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Mick Martin

      We already have 5 dogs in the house, and the chances of us ever having an ’empty house’ are negligible. Both my wife and myself are animal rescuers and are forever ‘taking in’ pets. Having said that, my Medtronic 670G and CGM have worked absolute wonders for me since starting in March of this year (2020), so getting a diabetic alert dog is extremely low on my list of priorities.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Zoe Estevez

      I use my Medtronic insulin pump but sometimes it is confusing if the sensor is fine and all those aspects, for that reason I would like one so that it can be my company and also my dog body care agent 🙂

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Zoe Estevez

      I use my Medtronic insulin pump but sometimes it is somewhat confusing if the sensor is fine and all those aspects, for that reason I would like one so that it can be my company and also my care agent in my dog glucose 🙂

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Franklin Rios

      I do not see necessity.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Shannon Barnaby

      I would love to have one but the chances of having no other dogs is low.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Susan Pierce

      I’ve heard of Diabetes Alert Dogs, but never considered one for myself before. Only after this question, am I now beginning to think of one for myself.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Thomas Brady

      I had one for 10 years and he was great at sensing lows, both present and oncoming. He went everywhere with me, even overseas. I lost him three years ago to cancer and went n the Dexcom G6 recently. While the Dexcom has some advantages, e.g. my dog had to sleep, I never suffered from “alarm fatigue” as I do now. I am pretty fed up with the endless alarms, many of which cannot be eliminated. Constantly having to change my pump and infusion sites is also wearing on me also. I just spent a month in Maine and the amount of “stuff” I had to lug with me was amazing. My lifestyle with my dog was much better!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Rebecca Lambert

      I have considered it but it is cost prohibitive. CGM is covered by insurance. But if it were more affordable, I would love to have the dog in addition.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Mary Coleman

      I have had one in the past and have one currently. I find that having both the dog and the Dexcom gives me great peace of mind. I went thru an organization called Medical Mutts to train my Mini Golden which was fabulous. It’s not easy caring for a dog and keeping up the training, but I find it’s well worth the time and effort.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. James Goldman

      No Thank You! I am very happy with my insulin pump and I feel that it gives me the alerts I need when my blood sugar is low.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Caron DuBois

      Would enjoy having a dog, but can’t afford it.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Kristine Warmecke

      I said other because my current almost 4 month old lab puppy is going to be trained as my service dog; for help in standing from a fall, our trainer is like are you sure you don’t want her certified as a DAD also? It would be nice but unnecessary since I have a Dexcom now and not a MiniMed sensor. She’s already picking up on my highs and lows, when I have them, plus my stroke/TIA symptoms.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Chip Brookes

      Not likely to have a dog. First I am not a dog fancier. Second the cost for a trained dog is prohibitive., Third my Dexcom and T-slim work very well. Having said all that, I would not absolutely rule it out.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Caitlin St. Jean

      I had considered it in the past but with my Dexcom CGM and the Share feature so my husband can also monitory my blood sugar, I don’t feel it’s necessary. Plus I already have a 4 legged child (dog) who is a senior now and my priority.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. Janet Wilson

      Absolutely not. I absolutely ADORE my dog. But, the amount of money a D.A.D. costs is ridiculous when you can have a CGM that does the same job and doesn’t require a lesson in service dog eligibility everywhere you go. I guarantee that a restaurant won’t stop you from entering due to a CGM. But, they WILL try to stop you from bringing your D.A.D. inside nearly every time (I’ve seen it happen FAR too many times). Why have to deal with that struggle at every turn when you can have a CGM that does the same things, and more? We thought about a D.A.D. when my son was first diagnosed. But, it just didn’t make sense money-wise and we already had a dog. We decided against it, mainly due to the length of time it takes to train them + the overall cost. We opted for a CGM and only regretted the Medtronic CGMs. Dexcom has been fantastic. I would not trade that for a D.A.D., ever. I’ll let my dog be a dog and just do dog things. Let the Dex do the work.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. connie ker

      I had considered a diabetic dog but the catch is you have to take care of the dog too. So that means carry bags of food, take the dog for grooming and vet appointments, clean up the shedding hair, let the dog out and in or take the dog out and in. I am 72 living alone, but the Freestyle Libre is much easier to maintain and I can focus on taking care of myself. For a child, a diabetic dog would be a good option if the child likes animals. Someone in the house has to take care of the dog & the kid both.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Lawrence Clifford

      I’d consider it, I have a dog and I love dogs, but I also have a dexcom CGM that actually tells me exactly what glucose is and how fast changing! It is fantastic! L10cliff

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. Mig Vascos

      A dog is a big expense, the original investment when you buy it and the maintenance. It’s also a lot of work. A CGM is easier. I use a Dexcom G6 and I very pleased with it.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Tim Lors

      I am allergic to dogs, and have never liked them. My Dexcom G6 can not only alert me when I am high or low, but can warn me (and my spouse) when I am headed in that direction.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. James Merrick

      My dashchund Cooper alerts me and my wife when I get low. Amazing little dog,never trained, just does in naturally.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. Jana Foley

      I personally do not want a Diabetic Alert Dog, They require a great deal of care and work with physical maintenance as well as constant training that I am not up to doing. I most certainly see their worth. My T1D daughter has one. His alerts beat the Dexcom G6 by 15-30 minutes, which can be a huge advantage. She chooses to invest in the work and training because of that. I’m all for her doing that even though I do not choose that for myself.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. Trina Blake

      I have been Dexcom’ing for a long time (ever since they first came out). Now if I were a kid, or perhaps a university student, yeah. The biggest obstacle for me now is that we have several rescue dog and my bed is already full – yep they all cuddle with mommy.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    32. Greg Felton

      While a dog may sense a low BG and alert me, it won’t do any good if I am suffering a severe low and can’t think rationally. Until diabetic alert dogs have opposable thumbs and can inject glucagon I will not consider an alert dog.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    33. René Wagner

      I might consider it. I’ve been single most of my life and after 47 years dx’d, I have scarry issues. I’ve had dogs most of my life. My current buddy of 13 years keeps me on my toes and makes me walk him 4-5 times a day! 👍

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    34. Jenny Richardson

      I want one someday but I hesitate because I wouldn’t want to take the dog EVERYWHERE with me.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    35. Tina Roberts

      I’d rather use my cgm

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    36. Diane Brodie

      I’ve considered it and if I could train one of my rescue dogs to do it, that’d be great. Also, I consider my dogs to be family, so having one that “works” for me would be difficult.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    37. Germaine Sarda

      I had a Chihuahua for 16 years and never trained her for insulin reactions, but she would sense when I dropped low quickly and would alert me by scratching my chest hard and getting antsy (she was normally very chill). This was pre-CGM days and was so helpful, especially when I’d go low during the night. She’d notice it before I dropped too low. I wouldn’t consider getting one now since I have Dexcom, but that little pup worked well for me.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    38. Annie Maley

      When I wasn’t on a pump, having a dog may have been a life saver. Literally. I’ve had some close calls. If I ever have to give up the pump, due to cost, I’d definitely consider a dog. I’m sure that would cost a pretty penny as well.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    39. Melinda Lipe

      I have considered getting one in the past, but I did not have an accurate sensor at the time. CGMs are so much more reliable now so I’m not considering it anymore.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    40. Becky Hertz

      I have had a hypoglycemic alert dog since 2010. I just graduated with my second one (NICST/Dogs 4 Diabetics). They are faster than technology and are a built in redundancy not to mention the non-judgmental help and support.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    41. George Lovelace

      I’ve got a Dexcom, just a plain old dog is enough for me!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    42. NAK Marshall

      If we were ready for a dog it would be super cool but luckily I have great warning from both my cgm & my body ! A newly diagnosed friend of mine who has had a dog for about 5 years clearly amazingly trained himself to alert her !!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    43. Heather Weikel

      I have had type 1 for almost 32 years and with a cgm I do not think I would find an alert dog useful. However, if my son (currently 4 years old) were to become diabetic as well, I would consider getting one to help with his monitoring, with the added benefit of alerting for me as well. I would also consider getting one in certain circumstances as I age, such as if I were to get dementia, became disabled, and/or lived alone.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    44. Sue Herflicker

      I researched getting a diabetic dog for my son back when he was in elementary school. There were no CGMs back then and he would sleep through his lows, so I would have to set my alarm every 2 hours during the night and run a finger stick. We live on the east coast and the only place at that time was in CA, it was expensive and required a lot of travel time and training, I wished I could have afforded it!! Now I have diabetes myself and I would love to have a special dog. We have the latest technology which is awesome, but there is nothing better than the love of a dog!! I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have a bond with a therapy dog!!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    45. ANN GALLUZZO

      I heard or read that the alert dogs are not all they are “cracked up to be.” Now that we have Dexcom to give us lots of loud alerts, and Dexcom is accurate, we do not need dogs for diabetes.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    46. Rex Franklin

      I have a pump and CGM. Because they works so well, I would trade up to a diabetic alert dog and go back to MDI.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    47. Steven Gill

      Eventually might consider the help, but with having several dogs (and a cat) could be confusing for a service dog. But had some trouble several weeks ago, that cat was all over me.z

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    48. Molly Jones

      I do not have severe hypoglycemic events that require glucagon although I do have many hypoglycemic events (the lowest have been in the twenties). I was not aware of the existence of diabetic alert dogs. If I lived alone I may try looking for a dog capable of alerting me of seizures and hypoglycemia. (Seizure alert would be my priority.) Dogs are more of a responsibility than any pet I have had previously.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    49. Britni Steingard

      Aside from the expense of getting a diabetic alert dog, dog ownership is a huge responsibility for which I am not equipped.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    50. ConnieT1D62

      No. Absolutely NOT. I have Dexcom and CIQ to help me through the night. Besides my husband and I have companion cats and they are so much easier to take care of. The few people I have encountered with a DAD become too dependent on them and the attention & focus becomes all about the dog and not enough about themselves as a whole person.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    51. Jodi Greenfield

      I tried diligently to find a diabetic alert dog after being told I had low sensitivity to low glucose – by the time I catch on to it it’s almost too late. However, I was denied because my highs and lows were too unpredictable and would be hard on the dog. Gee…

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    52. Grey Gray

      I have been type 1 since 1982. I have had many dogs the ones I have been closest too, including my current 7 month old puppy, have seemed to want to get my attention sometimes to an annoying point when my BG is low. I didn’t realize till a couple years ago that dogs can smell your body chemistry.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    53. elsa

      I would love to have one. I grew up with dogs, and had responsibility for taking care of them. As an adult, I absolutely want to get a dog, and I would be so happy to have a diabetes alert dog, because wow—talk about a quality of life improvement! However, the cost is prohibitive. $10k is out of reach for all but the most financially secure diabetics. I say this as a professional with a good career.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    54. Debbie Kolterman

      I wanted to get one when I was single because of night time lows and hypoglycemic unawareness, but it cost to much. Now I have a CGM and do not need one.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    55. Bonnie Kruger

      I have had many dogs over my lifetime that basically trained themselves to seek help when I needed it but mostly they could smell when I was low or high and let me know I needed to test or they would hassle me if they thought I needed to get help. Dogs are super smart and hounds have great noses so when I was diagnosed at age 10 before we had any blood testing equipment other than Testape or Clinitest and test tubes for testing urine, my Dad’s hunting dogs, Beagles, and Basset Hounds slept with me in my room and would get help if I was too low in the middle of the night. But this was in the 1960s. I have always had rescue dogs which I trained or who trained themselves. They have been super helpful and I have been very lucky since my 2 kids and my husband have helped me numerous times when my dogs have alerted them. Unfortunately, there are ridiculous rules now from the Diabetes training Centers that don’t allow you to have more than one dog in the house at a time. My dogs have saved my life more than once over the years and we have a real difference of opinion with regard to training. I have had to train my dogs myself because of this.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply

    Would you ever consider getting a diabetic alert dog? Tell us why or why not in the comments! Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.




    101 Federal Street, Suite 440
    Boston, MA 02110
    Phone: 617-892-6100
    Email: admin@t1dexchange.org

    Privacy Policy

    Terms of Use

    Follow Us

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • linkedin
    • instagram

    © 2023 T1D Exchange.
    All Rights Reserved.

    © 2023 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
    • Login
    • Register

    Forgot Password

    Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

    Skip Next Finish

    Account successfully created.

    Please check your inbox and verify your email in the next 24 hours.

    Your Account Type

    Please select all that apply.

    I have type 1 diabetes

    I'm a parent/guardian of a person with type 1 diabetes

    I'm interested in the diabetes community or industry

    Select Topics

    We will customize your stories feed based on what you select here.

    2019 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ADA

    12 Stories Related

    2020 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ATTD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 EASD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ISPAD

    7 Stories Related

    2020 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2021 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ATTD

    4 Stories Related

    2021 ISPAD

    9 Stories Related

    2021 Publications

    21 Stories Related

    2022 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2022 ADCES

    4 Stories Related

    2022 ATTD

    10 Stories Related

    2022 ISPAD

    0 Stories Related

    2023 ADA

    12 Stories Related

    2023 ADCES

    2 Stories Related

    2023 ATTD

    7 Stories Related

    2023 Publications

    16 Stories Related

    ADA

    17 Stories Related

    ADCES

    2 Stories Related

    Advocacy

    23 Stories Related

    ATTD

    10 Stories Related

    Blood Sugar

    5 Stories Related

    Conditions

    8 Stories Related

    COVID-19

    6 Stories Related

    EASD

    0 Stories Related

    General Publications

    21 Stories Related

    Get Involved

    11 Stories Related

    Insulin & Meds

    17 Stories Related

    ISPAD

    1 Stories Related

    Journal of Diabetes

    0 Stories Related

    Lifestyle

    20 Stories Related

    Lifestyles

    1 Stories Related

    Meet the Expert

    31 Stories Related

    Mental Health

    12 Stories Related

    News

    35 Stories Related

    Our team

    23 Stories Related

    Partner Content

    7 Stories Related

    Press Release

    7 Stories Related

    Question of the Day

    31 Stories Related

    Research

    78 Stories Related

    Stories

    20 Stories Related

    T2D

    5 Stories Related

    Technology

    26 Stories Related

    Uncategorized

    0 Stories Related

    We're preparing your personalized page.

    This will only take a second...

    Search and filter

    • Clear All
    • Sort By

    • Select Category