Heartwarming Story Of Boy And His Service Dog Who Fight Type 1 Diabetes Together | HuffPost Life

This Dog Saved The Life Of A 7-Year-Old Boy

Amy Packham— The Huffington Post UK

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A diabetic service dog saved the life of a boy with type 1 diabetes by alerting the family when his blood sugar levels began dropping.

Luke Nuttall, seven, was diagnosed with diabetes when he was two years old. His diabetic alert dog Jedi monitors his blood sugar by smell.

Luke's mum Dorrie recently wrote on the pair's Facebook page - Saving Luke - Luke and Jedi - Fighting Type 1 Diabetes Together - about a time when Jedi saved Luke's life.

"This is a picture of Jedi saving his boy," she wrote alongside the black and white photo of her son sleeping on Thursday 3 March.

"Five minutes before I took this picture we were all asleep. No alarms were going off, no one was checking blood, no one was thinking about diabetes... but thankfully we have a Jedi," Dorrie wrote.

"Jedi jumped off the bed, then back on again. Then Jedi laid on me. I woke up. He jumped off the bed and half on and would not budge when I told him to get back up.

"I got out of bed, he bowed, Luke's CGM [Continuous Glucose Monitoring] said he was 100 steady. So I told Jedi we would watch and see, he bowed again (bowing is his low alert).

"I told him to get up on the bed, he held his ground and didn't budge, he refused. Then I knew he meant business and the sleepy fog started to wear off and I began to think clearer.

"I pricked Luke's finger and got this, 57 is way too low, and by Jedi's behaviour I guarantee he was dropping fast (he is still recovering from a stomach bug and anything under 70 is low)."

Dorrie said her son was laying in the same room as her, just inches away, but without the dog she would have had no idea his blood sugar levels were dropping outside the safe range.

"Luke has never woken up on his own for a low in over four and a half years," she continued.

"We are his safety net, he goes to bed every night, and although he doesn't know it he relies 100% on us to keep him safe overnight.

"That's why we check his blood sugar overnight, every night, and we have every tool, every monitor, and have spent everyday of the last three years training Jedi to alert to highs and lows, because type 1 diabetes is relentless and we need as much help as we can get.

"This is a picture of a Jedi saving his boy. Amidst a disease that does everything in its power to make life so much harder, this is a picture of loyalty and love and perseverance.

"A reminder that we will not let diabetes win, that we will never give up and that we will always fight for our children."

The post has been shared 182,000 times in seven days and has more than 28,000 comments on it.

Many have commented on how "incredible" the bond between the boy and his dog is.

"I cried when I saw your post since my daughter has recently asked about a diabetes alert dog," one dad commented.

"She can't feel her lows and has seizures due to the lows. I'll somehow manage to get her a partner. Thank you for your post. It has inspired me."

Since the post has been shared globally, Dorrie said she has received a huge surge of interest in these dogs and her son's story.

She encouraged people to "educate themselves" if they want to get a diabetic alert dog and said it isn't always the right choice for everyone.

The family share their experiences with having a diabetic alert dog on www.savingluke.com.

SEE ALSO:
Four Dogs Who Saved Their Owners Lives
Man Loses 9 Stone And Overcomes Type II Diabetes Through Healthy Eating And Tap Dancing
Doctors Debate Whether Children Born Through IVF Are More Likely To Face Health Problems In Later Life

Diabetes Facts

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?(01 of15)

Commonly referred to as Juvenile Diabetes, because it’s often diagnosed in childhood. However, it can also be diagnosed in adults. Type 1 diabetics have a pancreas that produces little or no insulin, which requires insulin management through medication that is usually injected. (credit:Ron Levine via Getty Images)

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?(02 of15)

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that almost always develops in adulthood — which is why it’s sometimes referred to as adult-onset diabetes. "About 90 per cent of diabetics are Type 2, meaning that their ability to produce adequate levels of insulin is highly compromised and they have significant levels of insulin resistance,” says Dr. Barry Sears, president of the Inflammation Research Foundation. "The combination leads to significant increases in a variety of additional disorders — in particular heart disease and Alzheimer’s — in addition to the standard problems of loss of vision, increased amputation, and kidney failure." (credit:Thinkstock via Getty Images)

What Is Insulin?(03 of15)

Insulin is a hormone. It’s produced by the islet cells of the pancreas, and its role is to regulate glucose levels in the blood. The pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream, where it works to allow sugar to enter the cells and lowers the level of sugar in your bloodstream. As blood sugar drops, the secretion of insulin from the pancreas does too.While both types of diabetes involve insulin and the functioning of the pancreas, there are key differences in their causes and treatments. (credit:Leland Bobbe via Getty Images)

Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes(04 of15)

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include the emergence of bedwetting in children, frequent thirst, frequent urination, unintended weight loss, extreme hunger, blurred vision, and fatigue. (credit:Westend61 via Getty Images)

Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes(05 of15)

With type 2 diabetes, the condition can exist for years before diagnosis. But many of the symptoms are the same as with type 1: blurred vision, unexplained weight loss, excess thirst and urination, fatigue. Also watch for sores or infections that are slow to heal, as type 2 diabetes can affect your ability to heal and fight infection. As well, areas of darkened skin (acanthosis nigrican) in creased areas like the armpits and neck are a sign of insulin resistance. (credit:Justin Case via Getty Images)

Risk Factors For Type 1 Diabetes:(06 of15)

A variety of factors may contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic, including possible genetics and exposure to certain viruses. Risk factors for the disease include family history and young age, with peaks in outset occurring between ages 4 and 7 and ages 10 and 14. (credit:Blasius Erlinger via Getty Images)

Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes:(07 of15)

With type 2 diabetes, the risk factors include having excess fatty tissue, carrying fat around the abdomen, having a family history of diabetes, being inactive, having polycystic ovary syndrome, and getting older. As well, people of black, Asian, Hispanic, and Aboriginal backgrounds are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, though it’s not known why. (credit:Tomasz Caderek via Getty Images)

Where You Live Might Play A Role(08 of15)

Interestingly, the incidence of type 1 diabetes increases as you travel away from the equator, according to the Mayo Clinic, leading some researchers to think it could develop more readily in winter than summer. The highest incidences of type 1 diabetes are found in Finland and Sardinia, for example, where rates are about double or triple those in the U.S. and 400 times those in Venezuela. (credit:Mina De La O via Getty Images)

Causes of Diabetes(09 of15)

It’s unknown exactly what causes type 1 diabetes, but in those with the condition, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. In type 2 diabetes, the islet cells are still functioning as they should, to release insulin — the problem instead is that the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, the body becomes resistant to the insulin, or both. But while we know about some contributing factors, it’s also not known exactly what causes type 2 diabetes. (credit:goa_novi via Getty Images)

Side Effects(10 of15)

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can both have serious effects on your health if not managed. Diabetes can affect your eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys, though keeping your blood sugar levels well managed does a lot to mitigate these effects. Nerve damage can manifest in loss of feeling or pain, usually beginning in the feet or hands. It could cause gastrointestinal problems or erectile dysfunction. Damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys can lead to kidney failure or kidney disease. Eye problems are also seen in some diabetics, and problems in pregnancy are also a risk. (credit:Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)

How Magnesium Can Help(11 of15)

Prevention of type 2 diabetes can be done in part through dietary choices, and making sure you get enough magnesium may be one of them. "Magnesium plays a pivotal role in the secretion and function of insulin,” Dean says. “Without it, Type 2 diabetes is inevitable.” Measurable magnesium deficiencies is common with the condition, she says, and related to many of the related complications. (credit:Steve Wisbauer via Getty Images)

Why You Need To Relax(12 of15)

Managing stress and anxiety can also help to keep your overall health steady, including possibly staving off type 2 diabetes. "The connection between stress, obesity and diabetes cannot be overlooked,” Dean says. "The stress chemical cortisol signals a metabolic shutdown that makes losing weight almost impossible. Magnesium can neutralize the effects of stress and is known as the anti-stress mineral.” And of course, if you do have diabetes, it’s easier to manage your condition if you aren’t overwhelmed. (credit:DragonImages via Getty Images)

Treatment(13 of15)

There is no cure for type 1 diabetes, though the disease is manageable and treatment has advanced considerably in recent decades. Those with type 1 diabetes must take insulin for the duration of their lives; the physician works with the patient to find the best insulin and dose for blood sugar maintenance. Other medications may be required for related conditions. Not all type 2 diabetics require insulin therapy, but some do. For both types, regular exercise and a healthy diet, along with weight control, can also help keep glucose levels consistent. (credit:Creatas Images via Getty Images)

Surgery Is An Option(14 of15)

For some type 2 diabetics, bariatric surgery may be an option to lose weight and control the disease. However, the surgery does involve serious risks that should be discussed with your physician. (credit:Melissa Brandes via Getty Images)

When To Talk To A Doctor(15 of15)

If you suspect you or a family member has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible. It may be helpful to keep track of your symptoms leading up to the appointment, and go in with a list of your medications and general information about your diet and exercise routines. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)

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