‘I’m going to do this for Addy’: Man’s best friend can be a lifesaver for Redcliff girl

Addy is a home schooled student who wants to be a nurse some day.

Not only does she struggle with Type 1 diabetes, but she is also hypoglycemic unaware, meaning she doesn’t know when her blood sugar is dangerously high or low.

“It can be pretty terrifying sometimes,” Addy said.

“It does help have alarms, and I do feel it sometimes, but it’s very rare. Sometimes, I get shaky. Even after I eat, sometimes I’m still hungry.”

Diabetic service dogs are available for people like Addy.

While technology has come a long way, it sometimes takes more than 15 minutes to get a reading.

Dogs can smell the difference on someones breath immediately, something Addy’s mother Shannon said can be lifesaving.

“It makes me feel better about her going into the world by herself, being able to live on her own and do all those things,” Shannon said.

Acquiring a dog and putting it through the required training could cost upwards of $25,000.

A fundraising raffle to cover the costs is being held. Shannon and Addy have been crocheting everything from baby blankets to stuffed animals for the winner.

The Royal Canadian Legion and small businesses are also donating time, money and prizes.

Elizabeth Nevill, owner of Bizzy Lizzy Creations, said helping Addy was easy. Nevill will be donating a custom sign to the raffle winner.

“I think it was the thought of hearing her story and knowing that she needs a dog to potentially save her life, I think that was enough for me,” Nevill said.

“I’m going to do this for Addy. I don’t care what comes out of it as long as Addy gets her dog, gets to to go to college and gets to live a normal life.”

Training service dogs is rigorous and time consuming for dogs and handlers alike.

Journeyman trainer Samantha Gallant is diabetic and has a service dog. She says she understands where Addy is coming from.

“Honestly, before I started training with my dog, having a service dog for diabetes was a dream,” Gallant said.

“You know, most thought that you have to have a lot of money or a lot of time, and I didn’t think it was ever going to be possible for me.” she said.

“You gotta do your research. Definitely reach out to services and explore your options because it’s life changing.”

While owners can bring puppies for training and certification, the cost fo the 15-week program can be high.

Trainer Jamie Billings said that it’s important to remember what the training is actually for.

“A service dog is not a pet, it’s a medical instrument.” Billings said. “It needs it’s shots.”

“When a dog is fully certified under the age of two, they’re valued at anywhere between 35 and 45 thousand dollars,” he said.

“These are not games, they’re not pets, they’re medical instruments. It’s okay to love them, but you have to treat it like that.”

As for Addy, she continues to crochet and babysit to raise money for the service dog, but like her future furry friend, school takes priority.

“It’s going to be really helpful,” Addy said.

“It’s going to make it a lot easier because school makes it really hard to do crocheting and such…there’s a lot of work.”

The raffle will run until May, and the winner will receive Nevill’s custom sign, a t-shirt and a crocheted blanket.

Addy’s work can be found at the Pharmasave in Redcliff. Raffle tickets can be purchased on Facebook or via email.

by Adrian St.Onge

‘I’m going to do this for Addy’: Man’s best friend can be a lifesaver for Redcliff girl

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