We had a wonderful opportunity to welcome an amazing puppy into our family in September 2011.  This puppy is no ordinary pet.  He was specifically flown across the country to live with and assist our five year old daughter.  She was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in May 2011.  After researching Service Dogs for Type 1 Diabetics, we contacted several organizations and breeders.  One of those calls made was to Rebekah Wright, owner of Highland Springs Breeders.  After speaking to Rebekah, my husband and I decided to purchase a puppy from her. 

Rebekah took the time to find the puppy that would best work for our family.  She paired us with an adorable Australian Shepherd.  As our new puppy was preparing for his departure east, Rebekah took the time to send us updates, pictures and videos of his progress.  Since he was scent imprinted, Rebekah offered to use our daughter’s real-time low blood sugars to continue working on scent.  We overnighted several of her lows so Rebekah could work with him.  She also asked us to name him so she could start teaching him to respond with called.  We let our daughter name him since he was her dog.  She called him, “Shadow”.  She said he was going to be her Shadow.

From the moment he arrived at our home, we have been very pleased with the results and progress of this amazing puppy.  Shadow knew our daughter’s scent, his name and was already puppy pad trained.  He had very few accidents in the house.  Within a couple of weeks, we had no more issues in this area as he discovered how to tell us he needed to go outside.  Yes, he is a puppy and does typical puppy things.  However, he has also alerted to our daughter’s blood sugar drops prior to her Continuous Glucose Monitor!  His first alert was within the first few days of his arrival.  We continue to be amazed with his alerts and ability to learn quickly.

We are continuously working to ensure that Shadow alerts to potentially dangerous blood sugar issues.  At the same time, we are striving to train him in the full capacity of a working service dog.  With a local trainer to help teach our puppy manners and continuous contact with Rebekah via phone, email and Facebook, we feel confident we made the correct decision in selecting Rebekah as our Service Dog’s Breeder. 

Sincerely,

J.  ~1/27/2012~

Shadow is doing wonderfully. He is sleeping through the night. He usually wakes up if we are up and moving around the house. I actually felt bad because I thought he was just playing with R. last night. She was on the floor with him. He was jumping on her and pulling at her hair. She said she was hungry. I told her to wash up and sit at the table for dinner. Shadow then became very subdued and just layed down. I told him it was time to check R. (was usually check her at the table). He walked over to us and I picked him up. When she checked, she was 63! I really think he was trying to tell us she was low! We had him smell her test strip and she blow in his face. I told him "Good low Shadow! Good low!" He was so excited. After she ate, she was playing. Shadow when over to her and started pawing at her. He then came to me and pawed at me. I decided to check her. She was 306! Since we are working on the lows, I used a monotone voice and said, "She's high Shadow. We will take care of it." After that, Shadow resumed playing with his toys. I think he is teaching me more than I am teaching him right now.

~9/26/2011 8 weeks old~

I wanted to give you another update on Shadow.  He is one amazing puppy!  Last night at around 2:00 AM, Shadow started jumping on me, licking me and whining.  My husband and I decided to check our daughter given Shadows reaction.  She was 79! He knew she was getting low.  After the check and some juice, our daughter went back to sleep.  Shadow curled up on the pillow right next to her!  He stayed there for about 15 minutes before going back to the foot of the bed and back to sleep.

~9/28/2011  8 weeks old~