News

My Diabetes Dog can Save my life

JUL 3, 2006

Natalie Martin has been diagnosed with a condition called Latent Autoimmune Diabetes, which straddles both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Not able to be put on insulin, Natalie, 27, is susceptible to hypoglycaemic episodes. Left untreated, they can lead to coma or death.

In a bid to help control her condition, she signed up for a PAWS for Diabetics program, which trains dogs to give advance warning to diabetics of an impending episode.

"I found there's basically no prior warning system for low blood sugar," says Natalie, from northern Sydney. "You can be anywhere, at any time. I was scared of being by myself, or at night and possibly slipping into a coma in my sleep."

Natalie was teamed up with a Shetland Sheepdog named Aramis, whose parents are both "alert" dogs. They are in an 18-month training program, until Aramis passes his public access test. But the clever canine has already alerted Natalie to abnormalities.

"Aramis has had a couple of alerts to my blood sugar levels," she says. "He started to lick and nibble my fingers. Now with Aramis, we have a bond. If something were to happen, I think he would alert me or wake me. It's given me a bit more confidence".

Source: Woman's Day