MEDICAL ASSISTANCE DOGS
ABOUT OUR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE DOG PROGRAM
It is estimated that 1 in 20 Australians are living with diagnosed diabetes, including both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. With this it also remains as one of the 10 leading causes of death in Australia. Diabetes is a debilitating and life-changing condition that typically is misunderstood and misrepresented (1).
After identifying a gap in Assistance Dog services, we commenced development of the Medical Assistance Dog program in 2021, with a goal to utilise our skills in Assistance Dog training to support people with varying health conditions. The first service provided in this program is Diabetic Alert Dogs for people with type 1 diabetes.
A Diabetic Alert Dog is trained to support their recipient in multiple ways. The first is much like the Hearing Assistance Dog Program, though instead of alerting to sounds in the home, our dogs will alert their owner to any changes in their Blood Glucose Levels (BGLs) through a touch of a paw. A dog’s nose is highly sensitive compared to that of a human, so when someone’s Blood Glucose Levels increase or decrease, a scent is produced by chemicals emitted through saliva and sweat.
A Diabetic Alert Dog is also trained for the following:
- Retrieve a Hypo-Kit (a small pouch containing sugar sources, medicine, or testing kit) and place it gently in their recipient’s lap. This assists the recipient if their BGL is impacting their energy levels.
- Retrieve help from another member of the household with a ‘Go Get’ command.
- If the recipient should fall unresponsive, press an emergency button fixed to the wall that will send an alert to a series of pre-determined emergency contacts.
The second part of their training is public access; all Lions Assistance Dogs must pass a Public Access Test (PAT) prior to delivery, as well as an accreditation 3 months after delivery, and subsequently every two years. Each dog’s behaviour is closely assessed and monitored to ensure it is well-behaved and represented in all public environments.
Each Medical Assistance Dog costs us approximately $40,000 to raise, train, and deliver. However, they are provided to recipients free of charge—made possible through donations from the general public and Lions Clubs across Australia.
The positive impact of having a Medical Assistance Dog is evident, with benefits such as:
- Earlier detection of varying Blood Glucose Levels
- Reduction in risk of hospitalisation and long-term effects of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia
- Increased independence and autonomy of lifestyle
- Enhanced mental and physical health
- Increased social activity and community involvement
- Improved confidence and sense of security
If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about the Medical Assistance Dog program, please feel free to contact us. Alternatively, you can apply for an Assistance Dog online.
