DOGS4DIABETICS FALL 2014

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1 Quarterly Newsletter DOGS4DIABETICS FALL 2014 Keeping you in the KNOW - latest and greatest at Dogs4Diabetics YEAR END GIVING As the year draws to end learn how you can help our program expand & grow. p3 HAPPY TAILS Dylan and Celeste s story of courage, triumph and lasting friendship. p4 GRADUATION Graduating & honoring 10 Client/Dog Teams Saturday, November 8. p5

2 KIBBLE FROM THE CORNER OFFICE - by Mark Ruefenacht, Founder & President & Ralph Hendrix, Executive Director D4D is enjoying a wonderful year of growth and accomplishment. As we move towards the Thanksgiving giving season, we want to give you some insight into steps that we have taken to Pass the Bringsel during our 10 th Anniversary year. Our primary objective was to make sure that D4D was doing the right things to move our mission forward. First and foremost, we have trained a number of great dogs and clients. Our graduation on Saturday, November 8 will honor 10 great dogs and 8 wonderful clients. All have worked hard to achieve the standards of excellence that will serve them for the years to come, working together to safeguard lives. They will also serve as wonderful ambassadors of the highest quality medical-alert service dogs available in the world. Additionally, D4D has been pleased to engage the services of several new leaders to help develop our program. We ask you to help D4D grow in its ability to assist persons with diabetes, both locally and around the world! Thank you for your support!!! - Ralph Hendrix, Executive Director Gayle Bitner joined us as our new Board Chair; Karen Thompson, the Associate Development Director for the Junior Blind Foundation was also elected to our board. Karen has her Doctorate in Public Health and has been helping in the development area for some time. Kevin Fick, the CEO of Worldwise, has been working as an advisor to our board over the last several months, having been an advocate for D4D for many years. These are great people helping move us to new accomplishments. D4D has been working to help all medical alert service dog providers do it right! Carrie Skym and Dr. Steve Wolf hosted a session at the International Assistance Dog (ADI) Conference with over 50 participants from around the world, teaching them critical elements of training and support for these dogs and clients. We also hosted a week-long seminar for members of ADI to teach training techniques for this work. It was extremely well received and will result in more dogs becoming available around the world. We hope that as the year draws to a close, that each of you will look at your ability to help us expand our program and grow. Our clients have worked together to tell their stories in a wonderful short video that we will be sharing with all of you over the next 2 months. It expresses their thanks for the many things they can do in safety and confidence due to these live-saving dogs. 2

3 HAPPY TAILS - CELESTE, MY BEST FRIEND - By Victor Walsh, Volunteer One of Dogs4Diabetics (D4D) youngest graduates Dylan Calamoneri was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic in 2003 at age six. In his mother Andrea's words, "his diagnosis was scary, really scary." No one in his family, including two older siblings, had diabetes. His symptoms were initially misdiagnosed, and by the time he was hospitalized for five days, the pale, thin, dehydrated boy was a shell of his former self. "I don't have a memory of not being a diabetic," the 17-year old Danville high school senior tells me while we are sitting in the backyard patio with Celeste, his 70-pound yellow Labrador lounging at his feet. Diabetes, Dylan admits, makes him "different" from his peers. School, sports, and other activities can be challenging. My blood glucose is not always going to be 110, and I need to take time-outs to test myself because it can drop quickly, and I'm not able to think clearly or do anything," he explains. He is well-aware of his need to adhere to a complex medical regimen. "I've grown up a lot quicker," he says, referring to others in his age bracket. "Diabetes has taught me to be responsible. It's my life, and I have to take care of it." Dylan's maturity and fondness for dogs while working for the SPCA convinced him when he was twelve to enroll in D4D's program. Originally matched with a dog named Bacon, who proved too difficult for clients to handle, Dylan was eventually paired with Celeste. The two of them graduated in Before Dylan got Celeste, he was sometimes embarrassed in public by his condition. "When I'd go out with my friends to a restaurant, they would watch me test my blood sugar or take insulin." The irony is that Celeste, who goes everywhere with Dylan including San Francisco Giants games, has helped alleviate much of his discomfort about being a diabetic. "Having Celeste has made my life and diabetes a lot better," he says. "Her presence starts conversations. I'm much more relaxed and my social life has really changed a lot." "I take care of her, and she takes care of me," he continues. "My low blood sugars were a problem at night because I'm a heavy sleeper. Celeste has figured this out, and now goes into my parent's room and wakes them up. It was hard at first learning about each other, but now she's become a big part of me." As the afternoon winds to a close, I asked Dylan who should avoid acquiring a service dog. "People who aren't going to change or listen to the trainers," he immediately replies. "People need to be very open-minded and they need to understand that having a service dog is a big responsibility. They are more than just pets!" 3

4 ARMSTRONG S DOG HOUSE - by Danielle, Mark Ruefenacht s Trusted Medical-Alert Dog & Best Friend Woof! Please join us for D4D s Graduation on Saturday November 8 from 2-4:00 PM at the Walnut Creek Christian Academy at 2336 Buena Vista Avenue in Walnut Creek. It will be a great afternoon honoring 10 of my canine friends and their humans. I love hearing how much you humans value the love and support that we bring to your lives. This graduation will recognize the work that has been going on over the last year in our training room and in the homes of our humans. I have watched all of our dogs put in long hours, going through every training step, from learning how to identify the low blood sugar scent to picking up their bringsel for a flawless alert. I was honored to watch each of our specially trained canines get partnered with their own special humans who are afflicted with diabetes. The teams have all worked diligently to learn their alerting game at home, work, school and on the go! They come back to the training center every month and I get to hear about the challenges and remarkable successes that each team has had. Doing this work every day in public is tough. Lots of distractions, but I know they are dedicated to their tasks, because the D4D trainers have taught each of us how to work and taught our humans how to help us get it right and stay focused. Woof! Woof! By the way, I heard that November is human Diabetes Awareness Month. Also, Mark told me that the November issue of Diabetes Forecast has a very good article On the Nose. It gives people excellent advice on what to look for when trying to get a dog like me and my friends to help them with their diabetes. Here are some of my pals you will see at graduation - can t wait to see you there, woof! - Danielle 4

5 NOVEMBER, DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH - by Christy Gillham, Director of Development Diabetes: if you don't live with it yourself, then it's likely you have a family member or friend who does. Although D4D s purpose is to support diabetics, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, in order to improve their lives today, we join the diabetic community in hoping for a cure of this disease. This November during National Diabetes Month, we challenge you to help raise awareness of this evergrowing disease and the many people who are impacted by it. The month of November is an opportunity to use our collective voice to reach as many people around the world as we can, to raise awareness about diabetes and to celebrate the lives of those who live with T1D and T2D and those who love them. So, what can you do? You can donate to non-profits such as D4D who are supporting diabetics to live relentlessly awesome lives in safety with Medical-Alert Assistance Dogs. Diabetes Statistics: Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. Another 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion. Courtesy of American Diabetes Association You can become a D4D fundraiser; fundraising volunteers are crucial to our organizations success, impact and longevity. You can tell all your family and friends about D4D and encourage them to get involved and give back. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter to help share and spread the word about the work we do for insulin-dependent diabetics. There are many ways your efforts can make a big impact during National Diabetes Month. We at D4D will be working like dogs during the month of November to get the word out about diabetes. We will be using our social media to challenge you to get involved and become an advocate. Together we can make a difference and and improve the lives of all affected by diabetes. 5

6 TREATS FROM THE TRAINER - thanks to our friends at ASPCA TIS THE SEASON FOR PET SAFETY TIPS... Of course you want to include your furry companions in the festivities, pet parents, but as you celebrate this holiday season, try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. Also, during the Holidays pet safety should be at the top of your list. Not all furry friends embrace the loud noises, scary gestures and costumes that come with the season. Below are some helpful tips to keep your pets safe and secure during all the fun festivities and steer them clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations. HOLIDAY DECORATIONS Tinsel, ribbon and similar decorations can cut up the digestive tract and cause intentional obstruction. Ornaments should be kept off low-lying Christmas tree branches. HOLIDAY PLANTS Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias may cause irritation, vomiting, diarrhea and heart arrhythmia in both cats and dogs. ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS Artificially sweetened treats may cause vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, seizures and liver failure. ALCOHOL Alcohol drinks may cause vomiting, discoloration, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma and seizures. FATTY TRIMMINGS & BONES Pets may experience vomiting and diarrhea. Fatty foods can also promote pancreatitis. Swallowed bones can cause stomach perforation and painful constipation ELECTRICAL CORDS If chewed, live electrical cords can cause burns in or around a pet s mouth, difficulty breathing, seizures and cardiac arrest. LIGHTS & CANDLES If your pet can reach them, they may be a fire hazard if knocked over. COOKIES & CANDY Consumption of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, high heart rates, tremors, seizures and even death. 6

7 MEET KAREN KOH THOMPSON - D4D S NEWEST BOARD MEMBER Karen Koh Thompson has been one of D4D s biggest fans, having arrived on D4D s doorstep in spring 2012 to submit her volunteer application to help out with fundraising/grantwriting efforts to now in 2014 being one of D4D s newest members of the Board of Directors. With 15 years of working in the nonprofit sector ranging from local community-based organizations to large internationally-renowned nonprofits, Karen brings her public health, healthcare administration, and fundraising backgrounds to her role as D4D s newest Board member. Originally from southern CA, Karen moved to Berkeley for college and has since become a Bay Area resident. Currently, she is the Associate Director of Development for Junior Blind of America, and she has previously worked for Easter Seals Bay Area, Children's Hospital Oakland Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente. I am so honored to be a part of the D4D Team!!!! - Karen Koh Thompson Karen received her Bachelor s, Master of Public Health, and Doctor of Public Health degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. Karen also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Berkeley Youth Alternatives. Karen s love of dogs stemmed from her childhood, and she and her husband have been proud pet parents to several beagles and one kitty. Being involved with D4D over the past few years has been a source of pure joy for her as it has combined two of her most favorite passions: dogs and fundraising! Help us welcome Karen to the D4D Team! - Riley, Ginger & Lily - the Beagle Brigade WELCOME KAREN! 7

8 S E Q U O I A C L U B DID YOU KNOW... IT S OFFICIAL!!! Dogs4Diabetics' Founding Dog, Armstrong, and Mark Ruefenacht, are named by Guinness's 2015 World Book of Records for being the first dog trained to detect low blood sugar in diabetics. Armstrong, your work and impact on the diabetic community will never be forgotten and your legacy will live on through-out the ages! Fun Fact - Guinness World Records is the official reference, and ultimate authority, for world records. It is distributed in more than 100 countries and translated into 20 languages. Way to go Mark and Armstrong for being the first!!! 8

9 SPECIAL WAGS...Dogs4Diabetics was pleased to solicit support from The Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation. The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation has a clear and simple mission to enhance DONATE the quality of life TODAY for the residents of Contra Costa County. SPECIAL Established in 1989, the WAGS grants of the Foundation have touched many lives and communities. The mission of the Lesher Foundation is to support their nonprofit partners and join with them to create a better place. Much like D4D, the Lesher Foundation values programs and projects that reflect excellence and make a difference in the communities they serve. We sincerely thank the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation for their support and helping us fulfill our mission to provide quality Medical-Alert Assistance Dogs to insulin-dependent diabetics! DONATE Thank you to each and every donor, your donations, large and small, contribute to the success of our program! Donate online at Mail in a donation to: Dogs for Diabetics, Inc Willow Pass Road, #157 Concord, CA Or visit to find out the various other ways you can contribute D4D THANKS YOU Thanks to all who ve made this newsletter possible: Victor Walsh, Volunteer Mary Hooker, Ralph Hendrix, Executive Director Christy Gillham, Director of Development Carrie Skym, Programs Manager Christina Vincent-Power, Trainer Diane Ketcham, Programs Coordinator FIND US ON FACEBOOK, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER & SHARE US WITH YOUR FRIENDS 9

10 CORPORATE SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT BECOME A PARTNER OF D4D The following Organizations have supported Dogs for Diabetics, Inc. for many years with donations of dogs, financial resources and various other goods and services which have been critical to D4D s mission. They have earned the right to be thought of as partners to the achievement of our mission. We welcome other organizations to develop a similar commitment to serve the medical assistance dog community throughout the United States and the World. THE D4D FAMILY THANKS YOU!!!!!!! 10

11 WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON - from the D4D Team