Dogs trained to alert diabetes patients of low sugar - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Patients with Type 1 diabetes can also fall victim hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar levels. Now, one of the nation's top insulin makers and a local dog training program are working on new research.

Already, a Purdue University student says an alert dog sniffing out the problem, is helping him to regain his life.

On a campus known for research, Purdue grad student Dustin Hillman and his partner Tippe, are a living experiment. Dustin's life depends on it.

"I'm blind on my left side. I have difficulty with balance and walking. I've had a heart attack from hypoglycemic stress," said Hillman, 36, from Omaha, Nebraska. "My body's just conditioned me. I could still be talking to you and blood sugar's in the 30-range and then all of a sudden I'm on the floor."

Dustin has type 1 diabetes and struggles to keep his blood sugar from dropping too low. Like many long-term diabetes patients, his body no longer gives warning signals. The result is way to many close calls and visits to the emergency room.

"I would argue probably close to 40. Forty different times and it could be more than that," Dustin said, referring to ambulance runs for him because of his blood sugar.

Last year, he began getting help from an unbelievable source - a hypoglycemic alert dog, Tippe. Tippe was trained by the Indiana Canine Assistance Network and inmates at the Indiana Women's Prison. Now, when Dustin's blood sugar drops below normal range, Tippe nudges him into action.

"It adds a sense of security to just everyday life," said Dustin.

During our visit, Tippe awoke from a nap and then something happened. Tippe made an alert. Within minutes, a quick stick revealed Dustin's blood sugar was slightly elevated.

"Good boy!" said Hillman as he validated Tippe's alert with a treat and patted him on the head.

Dr. Dana Hardin describes the ability of the dogs as "incredible." Hardin is the medical director for the Eli Lilly Diabetes Unit and provides additional training for dogs like Tippe.

Right now, she's bringing 14-month old Jonesy to work for training in social and work settings. She's also collecting scientific data to try to pinpoint exactly what causes the hypoglycemic alert dogs are detecting.

"We know it has to be what we call a volatile organic acid. It's something that they smell," said Dr. Hardin, who is also a pediatric endocrinologist.

The answer, she believes, is in perspiration samples from diabetic patients.

"If we can put science around this, then other people that are perhaps naysayers (who say) 'Oh, it can't work,' will believe it," said Hardin.

Both Dustin and Dr. Hardin believe what scientists find could put more dogs and confidence into the hands of diabetes patients.

Eli Lilly and the Indiana Canine Assistance Network hope to publish dog training procedures yet this year. Research on human sweat and people with Type 1 diabetes could take up to two years.