Finding the right trainer for your service dog is extremely important. Most trainers will not train your personal dog to be a hypoglycemia service dog. I assume this is because the trainer has no idea of the history of the dog or its previous training. They want to work with a dog that they know. Another reason would be that most dogs are not capable of this kind of work. So, it takes a skilled trainer to even recognize a dog that can do this.

Prior to sending any money or completing any application, do your homework! Find several trainers and contact them. Read their web sites, every page. Contact them with e-mail, phone calls, and visit their facility if it's possible. Get to know the person or people that will be training the dog. After all, this dog might be responsible for saving your life some day. Besides, depending on the trainer, you're going to be giving them a bundle of money. What will you be getting in return? Lastly, ask about their hypoglycemia alert dog clients, get references and call them.

The hypoglycemia alert dog is a new idea that is getting a lot of attention lately. You can bet that there are going to be a lot of "trainers" coming out of the woodwork to make a quick buck. They may think that they can do this type of training. Ask questions! At what level do they train the dog to alert on, below 70, below 50, below 30? Below 30 and you won't need a dog, you'll know yourself that you're in the middle of a hypoglycemic event because you'll be waking up on the floor (hopefully).

Below is a list of trainers that I've found by searching the Internet. I'm sure there are others. As you find them, let me know and I'll add them to this list.

Diabetic Alert Dog Trainers

Pawsibilities Unleashed Pet Therapy (PUPT)
Web site: www.PawsibilitiesUnleashed.org
Cost: $5,000 (2008)
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky
Primary service area: Nationwide
Liz Norris, the executive director, founder, and master trainer, is extremely knowledgeable with a willingness to share. She has provided me with so much information and has asked for nothing in return. If you're looking for any kind of dog for any reason, I urge you to contact Pawsibilities Unleashed at least once.

Liz has granted me permission to pass along some of the things that she has already taught me. As I digest them, I will post them on this site. She believes that knowledge is power and that the more knowledge we all have, the more powerful we all become.

Betheden Kennels
Web site: www.bethedenkennels.com
Cost: $7,500 (2008)
Location: Amarillo, Texas
Primary service area: Nationwide
Betheden uses positive reinforcement training methods, as does PUPT and D4D. They work mostly with breeders for their dogs, German Shepherds, Collies, and Labradoodles. Something that Betheden does that others do not is to deliver the dog and complete the last couple of weeks of training at the diabetic's home.

Betheden is still new to me, but the more e-mails that I exchange with them the more I like the organization.

Dogs 4 Diabetics (D4D)
Web site: www.dogs4diabetics.com
Cost: $125 (2008)
Location: Concord, California
Primary service area: West Coast
Dogs 4 Diabetics only operates within the northern California region. So, I really do not know much about them. They definitely get a lot of attention in the press though. Most of their dogs come from a guide dog school where they were found to be intelligent but not suited for guide dog service.

They provide dogs for diabetics who are 12 years old or older. Their training is quite extensive and requires the diabetic to attend weekly classes for up to 18 months. Based on some e-mail exchanges, they would be a great organization to get involved with, if you're fortunate enough to live in northern California contact them.

D4D is currently looking into the feasibility of expanding their organization nationwide. As I learn more I will pass it along.

Heaven Scent Paws (HSP)
Web site: www.HeavenScentPaws.com
Cost: $7,500 (2008)
Location: St. Elizabeth, Missouri
HSP always comes up near the top of any search for a hypoglycemia service dog. They have been featured on TV and in print as well.

The Missouri attorney general's office filed a 23 page lawsuit against Heaven Scent Paws on June 9, 2008. You can read about the lawsuit on the attorney general's website. I have a copy of the lawsuit here. I already had concerns about HSP before the lawsuit, because of their training methods and growing number of complaints. If you would like to work with HSP, I recommend that you wait until the lawsuit has been resolved. HSP should have cleaned up what they were doing wrong by then.

All Purpose Canines (APC)
Web site: www.AllPurposeCanines.com
Cost: $15,500 (2008)
Location: Aberdeen, South Dakota
All Purpose Canines has decided to concentrate on training dogs for children with autism and a limited number of dogs for diabetic children.

Canine Partners for Life (K94Life)
Web site: www.K94Life.org
Cost:
Location: Cochranville, Pennsylvania
Even though their website comes up on a search, they do not train diabetic alert dogs.