Successful Pawtners - Barbara & "Kora"

I'd like to start of by introducing myself. My name is Barbara, I live in Florida, and have been a Type 1 Diabetic now forover 20 years. Living with this disease is a daily and minute-to-minutebattle. It engulfs your life as you have to watch what you eat, count the carbs of everything you eat, take your blood sugar at least 8-10 times per day, give yourself numerous shots, eat on time, exercise regularly, get enough rest and the list goes on. So, finding something beneficial to add to this daily equation is a prayer most, if not all, Diabetics ask for.

Well, my prayers were answered late last year when I was getting down on myself and my disease because I felt as if I had no more control and management over it. After so many years with Diabetes, my body became unable to show me signs of a low blood sugar/hypoglycemic episode that was setting on, so I would literally be fine one minute, but passed out the next. This would occur whether I was home relaxing or I was out and about doing my daily routine, even driving. I had searched for help and answers on how to better manage this horrible disease. To my surprise, I was searching the D-Life forum on the internet and came across an episode which spoke of dogs that could be trained to help individuals with Type 1 Diabetes, by alerting them to a hypoglycemic episode which was setting on, even before they knew it.

I then got on the Heaven Scent Paws website and I read what they stood for and why, as well as how they have decided to continue their work in helping other Diabetics and their families. Well I spoke about this to my husband, who is a Detective with our County, and although he wanted to further review the company, he encouraged me to submit an application and see what would happen. As he stated, "worst case scenario is that they say no and then we just keep on the way we are." Well, lucky enough, I submitted my application and without a moments hesitation , I received a call from HSP asking me about myself and letting me know that they'd get back with me to see which class I could be placed in. I was thrilled beyond belief, to say the least!!! I later received a call stating that I would be placed in the Feb. 2008 class. That was 5 months away only, but it seemed like a lifetime to me!!! Well, we started our fundraising and had extra support and encouragement from HSP staff when I thought I wasn't going to fulfill my part, but I did without a problem. My husband, remember him the inquisitive Detective, well he got to calling around and checking on this HSP company and when all was said and done, he was backing me up 100%, but still with a bit of skepticism.

Well, even before we made our trip to Missouri, I was called, reassured, encouraged and always kept informed by HSP's Director Ms. Michele. All our expectations, assumptions, questions and whatnot were being addressed from the get go so that when we got to class we weren't in a shock to find out something new. This made both my husband, Travis, and myself at ease, because we knew what we were heading for and what the 3 weeks of training was all about.

The day finally arrived when we reached the hotel in Missouri and upon arriving late in the evening, we contacted Ms. Michele and let her know that we made it in safely. She then stated that we would meet in the lobby the next morning to attend church, if we wanted to, but if not we would meet at 1pm to start the class/training. When we initially met as a group, we got to see and hear first hand the intensity that this training would have upon us. We were all receiving dogs that already are trained, but know we are the ones that have to be trained to read our dogs and learn their behaviors. For me, it was like having a second child. Travis and I went into this as partners and realized that we had to do this together and he supported (and continues to do so) me when I am at my lowest with this disease and have trouble taking care of myself.

Training was intense, but hey we ALL knew this before attaining the assistance of these Service Dogs. We worked hard from morning till evening. Travis and I personally saw ALL the dogs alert to their human counter parts at one point or another.

We knew from the get go that this wasn't going to be a vacation or social time by any means, this was going to be hours upon hours of work.

Well, to say the least, we made it through the intense 3 week training. We finally got to bring Kora home withus and introduce her to yet the most important and precious thing in our lives, our 5 year old daughter, Tori. Now mind you, Kora is an almost 90 pound German Shepard, which can scare anyone just by her appearance, but Kora is a gentle giant indeed. She's loving, gentle, protective, caring, mothering, hard-working, obedient, loyal, etc... Neither Kora nor Tori were "afraid or intimidated" of each other upon meeting, they now have their own bond. By this I mean that Kora tattles on me to Tori when my blood sugar is either high or low. We know that Kora does this as so because of the daily "hide and seek" exercises that Tori and I do with Kora.

An example of this was the other night, I was sitting in my glider watching TV., while Travis was in the computer room playing his Xbox and Tori was already in bed sleeping. Well Kora was by the back door sleeping and all of a sudden she got up and just stared at me, then she went to Travis, pawed and licked his face and he came out to me to check on me. He asked me if I was ok and I said yes that I felt fine. Well, we are guessing that that wasn't good enough for Kora, cause I then saw her go to Tori's room and start whining at Tori and when Tori didn't pay attention to her, then Kora crept into Tori's bed and started licking Tori's hand and face. I then heard Tori get up and say "Mommy Kora just told me to tell you to check your sugie."

Kora is taken out daily and "worked" in public places and she has always been complimented on how well she behaves and interacts with other humans and animals, when we are doing our "hands-on" exercises. Kora has a very loving and gentle demeanor that is put to the test daily when I take Tori to pre-school. Tori, Kora and I walk to class together and I put Kora in a corner of the classroom in a down-stay position and she stays there for at least 20 minutes, while I get Tori settled into class or I help out in class activity. It's amazing to watch the 10 kids in class band toys, slam books, doors, blocks, play games, jump over Kora, etc.. and Kora just watches them all go about there daily activities, without even moving or feeling out of place. I give her lots of love and reassurance and I believe that this is a vital part of the bond/connection that keeps Kora as a happy and successful Service Dog.

I, as well as my family and friends, have been blessed to have Kora placed into my life and I can't imagine my life without her by my side. As my friend stated to me a couple of weeks ago, "I'm in tears because thanks to Kora, I have my old friend back."

Travis was somewhat skeptical about this, but ask him today and he is a firm believer in HSP and Kora. Travis now goes to work and is able to concentrate on his job instead of constantly worrying about me and if I'm alright. "He's more at ease." This is what family, friends and co-workers say about him since we got back from our 3 week training.

I wanted to share with you my positive and grateful experience that my husband and I have shared with becoming part of HSP. We see how this program works multiple times in our daily lives and we can never say "thank you" enough.

So, I can't say this enough, but THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU HSP for giving back some normalcy to my life!!!!

Sincerely,

Barbara

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