Dogs are trained as Guide dogs for the blind, Hearing dogs for the deaf, Cancer detecting dogs and Seizure alert dogs for people with epilepsy (1) as well as Autism Assistance dogs and Disability Assistance dogs.
Hypo-detecting dogs
More recently, dogs are being trained to detect low blood glucose levels and alert their owner to the need to take some form of hypo treatment in a variety of ways.
It is not known what it is that the dog detects – behavioural changes or an odour given off when a hypo occurs (2) – but for a person who has lost their hypo awareness or someone whose blood glucose levels drop very quickly, a 'hypo' dog can give great confidence, enable them to live life fully and may avert the hypo progressing to needing hospital care.
Who would qualify for a hypo dog?
Hypo dogs would not generally be placed with a person with diabetes until their hypos have a significant negative effect on their life.
Where do hypo dogs come from?
There are organisations throughout the world that are training these wonderful dogs.
Hypo dogs are chosen for their even temperament and motivation. They are either rescued from animal shelters or become a hypo dog by default by alerting their owner to a hypo without any training at all. They need to show a close bonding with their owner so it is important to know the dog's background. The dog needs to be even-tempered as assistance dogs will need to be able to work in a variety of settings without problem.
Guidance about hypo dogs
The dog should be registered as an assistance dog so that it can be taken into stores, restaurants etc in the same way as a guide dog. (3)
Jackets for dogs for the above purpose are only available from the organisations that train dogs for specific purposes and are only available if you and your dog are enrolled on the scheme run by that organisation.
There are strict regulations about the training that a dog must have undergone before being allowed to go into public places where ordinary dogs are not allowed. (4)
After applying for a hypo dog a person may have to wait for up to a year before one is ready to be placed.
More information can be found on the Hypo Alert Dogs website.
References
1 Visit the Support Dogs website
2 Visit the Cancer Dogs website
3 Visit the Assistance Dogs International website
4 Visit the Dog Aid website
Reviewed July 2009