The name “Heaven Scent Paws” is truly reflective of what this organization does for families; there is no doubt that Alex, our daughter’s service dog is a furry angel sent from Heaven.  But our family has not only been blessed with the addition of Alex, but by the love and support from staff and inspirational family behind Heaven Scent Paws; they too, are Heaven sent.

Our daughter, Elizabeth was diagnosed at age 4 with type 1 diabetes.  She immediately had an allergic reaction to all forms of buffered insulin.  That meant she required shots round the clock every few hours because we could not use any intermediate or long-acting insulin.  Thankfully, her doctor put her on a pump about five weeks after her diagnosis ending the need for so many shots.  But it did not end the hardships diabetes forces children (and parents and siblings) to deal with especially the loneliness and feeling of isolation.

As many parents have to do, I was up most nights checking blood sugars and making adjustments every couple of hours.  Elizabeth’s diabetes was very brittle and also required constant vigilance during the day.  Staying on top of blood sugars was consuming and draining and served as a dark cloud reminder that not doing the right thing could mean death to our child.  Life was now about medical care and survival decisions and not much fun.  And then, Elizabeth’s devoted Dad (her biggest supporter and advocate in life) found Heaven Scent Paws.  He completed the application and Michele listened intently as he pleaded our story on the phone.  A little while later we received the happy news that we were approved!  We waited and prayed until one day the call came … a very special dog named Alex seemed an ideal match for Elizabeth; were we interested?  (One of the things that makes HSP so successful is that they match dogs and people based on a lot of things – they do not just shove dogs out the door onto the next person in line).

We spent three weeks in Missouri training with Alex, a red golden retriever.  It was a magical and memorable time of not only getting to know Alex, but Michele and her own children.  For the first time in years we no longer felt alone.

Alex, the “Super Sniffer Dog,” has been with us now for about six months.  I long ago lost count of the number of alerts he has registered.  He has given Elizabeth a sense or normalcy because I trust Alex to help care for her so she can do so many more things now without a hovering, worried mom!  And Alex has brought joy and humor into our lives in a way I never imagined.

Alex alerts to both high and low blood sugars.  In no time we taught him to “paw” us to alert so we would always be clear about what he was trying to say because Alex has a lot to say about everything going on around him.  If we are slow to respond this 65 lb dog will climb right into our lap and even pull my hand off the keyboard if I am working.  Alex even has a unique way of telling us the difference between a high and low alert.  He has adopted a toy – the ugliest stuffed pig you have ever seen.  He sleeps with “Piggy” and even takes Piggy for potty breaks in the morning.  Alex brings “Piggy” to alert for lows but when he comes alone we know Elizabeth is high. 

Alex faithfully cares for our sweet Elizabeth (now eight) and clearly adores her to no end.  They are inseparable and Alex will drape his body over hers whenever she is sick refusing to leave her side even to eat (that’s the only time Alex does not want to eat). We expected Alex to do what he was trained (or should we say “called” to do) which is react to changes in blood sugars.  But I did not fully appreciate that he would bring something just as valuable to our family:  Alex, with his funny sense of humor, his big soft eyes, and the way he races around to find his stuffed pig to sleep with before he will settle down for the night, brought back light and levity that vanished from our daily lives the day Elizabeth was diagnosed.  If it can be said, Alex made diabetes care something to smile and laugh about.

With deepest gratitude from our entire family;

• Jeff & Laura
  Elizabeth & Alex (and Piggy, of course) and
  Sam, Jon, and Rachel
  Upland, CA