ROCK SPRINGS – The worst news a parent can get is finding out their child is sick. Fear, sadness, anger and frustration become daily emotions as parents work hard to give their child every advantage they possibly can.
For one family, these emotions became reality after learning their young daughter Kalista Sheridan had diabetes. As Kalista’s mom began the search for tools to help her daughter, she came across a unique way to provide help.
Through friends, Danielle Tomison learned of dogs who are trained to alert when levels take a dangerous turn. As she started looking for companies, Danielle found the National Institute of Diabetic Dogs.
Shortly after, they welcomed Daisy into the family.
Daisy is a Goldendoodle – part Golden Retriever, part poodle – and is eight months old. Danielle said Daisy came from a breeder in Las Vegas and is one in a litter of eight puppies, all of which were trained to be diabetic alert dogs.
Training for these dogs starts from the minute they are born. A dog’s most critical learning period is it’s first six months of life. Danielle explained that from birth, trainers use cotton balls with the scent of a person during a low blood sugar episode all through scent. As the dogs grows up, they are then trained to alert when levels changes. Daisy will paw at Danielle’s leg to let her know when something is not right. Danielle said she will even bite down and tug on her hair to let her know somethings wrong.
As with everything in healthcare these days, costs are very high and this includes Daisy. The family is trying to raise $15,000 to pay for Daisy.
After hearing the story of Kalista and Daisy from Cheri Lloyd, local veterinarian Paul Zancanella got involved. He sent Danielle a letter telling her he would do all Daisy’s veterinarian needs for free for as long as Daisy is alive.
“The community has been very good to us and I felt it was important to give back to the community,” he said. “Daisy will help Kalista live a more normal life.”
Since joining the family, Daisy has alerted Danielle several times already. Parents who have children with diabetes can tell you the scariest time is during the night. This is when most children suffering from diabetes pass away. Daisy has relieved some of this anxiety.
“I feel like I can breath now, Danielle said. “Daisy provides a little more reinsurance and since we have had Daisy, she has not missed a low once.”
The family and Daisy are still adjusting to each other. Danielle explained Kalista gets a little frustrated with Daisy because she knows if Daisy alerts, she has to get her finger poked. Danielle smiled as she said Kalista will look at Daisy and tell her to stop it. Even as they are adjusting, Danielle said Daisy is honestly Kali’s guardian angel.
If you would like to help Kalista and her family, there are several ways to do so.
Johnny Mac’s will be hosting a benefit for Kalista’s guardian angel this Saturday, July 12 from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. You can also go to fundrazr.com and it’s under guardian angel for Kali. Also, US Bank has a account set up under diabetic alert dog for Kali.
