Asher was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes this past April, April Fool’s Day to be exact. After several months of feeling fatigued, dropping 25 pounds, losing all interest in sports and activities he loved, and doctor’s puzzled as to why, he finally ended up in the ER with this diagnosis.
Diabetes seems like a household name; a common disease, but we have witnessed firsthand family members struggling with this disease and have mourned with family members who have lost children too young to Type 1. Your financial contribution to Asher for a Diabetes Service dog is invaluable in preserving his life and guarding him from emergency situations. A dog who is born and trained specifically for Asher’s needs will be a game-changer. It will wake him up at night when he sleeps through his low blood sugar alarms, helping him avoid going into a coma or having a seizure. This is our most urgent need as we are waking up several times a week at 2am to administer sugar.
The dog will alert him if his blood sugar is too high, keeping ketones in check and Asher from
future trips to the ER. Dogs are amazing creatures that sense these fluctuations before a meter
can. A service dog would allow Asher to be more independent, at school, or summer camp
without the fear of being alone because most people are not knowledgeable of Type 1
management. He won’t have to fear his blood sugar soaring when he inevitably becomes
sick with a simple virus or life-threateningly sugar low if he exercises.
Type 1 has affected Asher in several negative ways and although we are thankful for the
medical advancements available to him in Dexcom meters, insulin pens and pumps, we
realize that even simple daily living will always be harder for him. This disease will follow him
his entire life and some activities regular 10-year-old boys get to do, he will either have
pain doing them or not be able to participate.
Your help is invaluable.
Contribute to Asher’s dog below
Training a service dog to meet our child’s requirements can be very costly. On average it costs between $40,000-60,000 to raise, train, and place a service dog at 4 Paws for Ability. While 4 Paws for Ability fundraises to help cover a significant portion of this cost, families are tasked with raising $20,000 of that amount or $23,000 if receiving a poodle, doodle or papillon. We hope that we can receive assistance from our beloved family and friends to help make our service dog dream a reality.