• Diabetic Alert Dog Application

    Welcome to MD Dogs' Diabetic Alert Dog Application. Our priority is to find an individual who will be the best match for each dog in all aspects such as activity, lifestyle, career, etc. This application is just one step of many in our matching process. If you have any questions about this application or the process, feel free to contact us at mddogsinc@gmail.com. We look forward to reading your application!
    • THE BASICS 
    • Format: (000) 000-0000.
    • Applicant birth date
       - -
      2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
    • Does anyone in the household smoke (cigarettes or otherwise)?*
    • YOUR DIABETES 
    • Applicant's diagnosis date (Minimum of 1 year since diagnosis)*
       - -
      2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
    • Date of last A1c (approximate is fine)*
       - -
      2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
    • Which condition affects the applicant?*
    • How often is the applicant's blood sugar checked each day with a glucometer? (Not a CGM)*
    • How is the applicant's blood sugar managed currently? (select all that apply)*
    • If you utilize a CGM, we may ask for the last month's of data to better understand your BG ranges and fluctuations to ensure one of our DADs is the right fit. Are you comfortable with this?
    • Are you looking for a DAD to alert to lows or highs? (Select all that apply)*
    • A DAD requires frequent finger pricking and testing with a glucometer during the day to validate the dog's alerts. Is the applicant comfortable with this and have enough test strips for up to 10 blood sugar checks/day?*
    • What brand of glucometer do you use?*
    • YOUR IDEAL DOG 
    • While DADs go through extensive training and know a wide variety of cues and behaviors, they each still have their own personalities and energy levels. What kind of energy levels are you open to? (Select all that you'd consider)*
    • What breed of dog are you open to? (Select all that you'd consider. If you do not select a breed, you will not be contacted when we have one available)*
    • Would you prefer a dog from a breeder or who was rescued?*
    • What type of public access training are you open to your dog being prepared for? (Select all that you'd consider)*
    • What level of training are you looking for (Select all that you'd consider. Visit our website to learn more about the descriptions of each https://www.mddogs.org/trained-dogs.html)*
    • Will you require a DAD who can travel on airplanes? This is something that not all dogs enjoy and is case by case. We will test most dogs on this before they are placed, but we cannot predict whether a puppy will be comfortable as an adult.
    • We occasionally have trained DADs that are in our breeding program and can be placed in homes as Service Dogs but return to us for 2-3 litters to help produce future DADs for others. The fundraising fee for these dogs is about 50% off since they are in the breeding program and must remain intact and will need to return to us for a few weeks at a time. If you live within a 3 hour drive from Lexington, KY, would you consider this?*
    • Are you willing and able to travel to Lexington, Kentucky 3 times for transition training? (Transition training will also occur in your home, but the first few sessions are in Kentucky)*
    • Do you have a dog proof fenced in yard? (Not a requirement but helps us get to know the environment)*
    • Our dogs are not hypoallergenic; does anyone in the household have dog allergies?*
    • How many hours per day would the Diabetic Alert Dog be left at home?*
    • DADs require daily training to keep their skills sharp. Are you willing to set apart at least 30 minutes of dedicated training each day for a DAD?*
    • THE PRACTICAL SIDE 
    • MD Dogs trained Diabetic Alert Dogs have fees between $12,000-$24,500, depending on their level of training. Many families choose to fundraise within their community toward this goal so they need 6-12 months of lead time before having a DAD placed with them. Will you need time to fundraise or are you able to provide the fees whenever a DAD is ready?
    • In a perfect world, when would you receive a DAD? (This should also be based on the time needed for fundraising, if required. Fundraising the entire amount can be a big task and is equivalent to it's own job. Please select based on the time you anticipate fundraising to take.)*
    • Are you willing and able to accept the continual financial obligations of a Service Dog - approximately $2,000/year? (insurance, vet bills, leashes, vests, private trainer, etc.)*
    • Have you completed MD Dogs' required online course about our Diabetic Alert Dogs? It's free and the link is here: https://mddogs.thinkific.com/enroll/480887?price_id=505273*
    • Are you and all household members willing to treat the dog as a working dog rather than a pet? (e.g. follow strict rules regarding the handling of the dog - such as only the applicant feeds the dog, no excessive play by other family members, etc.)*
    • We will do our best to train for night alerts, but not every dog is capable of them and it depends greatly on the dog's schedule and new environment. Do you understand that night alerts can never be guaranteed?*
    • If you have a Diabetic Alert Dog in public, your diabetes will never be invisible. You will receive countless comments - good and bad - and it's remarkably similar to having a toddler with you, requiring more attention and supplies no matter the circumstances. If you plan to have a full public access Diabetic Alert Dog, are you comfortable with this attention and the burden of bringing a dog in public?*
    • Have you researched Diabetic Alert Dogs and what they do? If so, how much have you researched them?*
    • Should be Empty: