Girl & dog bond over type 1 diabetes
by Karyn Zoldan on Feb. 06, 2012, under Animal News, Dogs, Canines, Fun with Fido, Barking Encouraged, Pet Health & Safety
Bonded over Type 1 diabetes
from the press release
Girl and one legged diabetic dog draw inspiration from each other
The unconditional love of a dog can be an amazing source of strength and resilience for its owner. Eight year-old Madalaine Hembraugh and her foster dog, Petey, are living proof of that. They each have Type 1 diabetes and have formed a bond which is helping to heal both.
Petey, a 1 year old Terrier mix, came to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona as a stray. He was very skinny, and barely alive with a severely injured back leg that had to be removed. After months of treatment at the HSSA Spay & Neuter Clinic, Petey went home with Madalaine and her mom Dr. Karter Neal,veterinarian and Medical Director of the HSSA, to recover in foster care.
Madalaine and Petey test blood sugar levels each night together. Now that Madalaine uses an insulin pump, she gives Petey her excess insulin. “It has really helped. It’s nice to have someone else who has diabetes living here,” says Madalaine.
When Madalaine was diagnosed five years ago, she was the only one in her school with diabetes. Today six in her school have it. “She is teaching Petey that you can live a normal life with diabetes, says Dr. Neal. “It’s amazing to see how they have responded to each other.”
Type 1 diabetes is the most common in canines. Dr. Neal says to keep an eye on your pet’s habits. She cautions to look out for the following signs in your pet as symptoms of diabetes: increased urination, drinking of excessive amounts of water or sudden weight loss.
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona was founded in 1944. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, funded solely by donations and the services they offer to the public, receiving no government funding. HSSA is not a department of federal, state, county, or city government, nor affiliated with any other charitable organization. It stands on its own and saves the lives of thousands more animals that all other agencies in southern Arizona combined. Visit the website or call 520-327-6088.
