Canine Comfort

It starts with a look, followed by a nudge, then another glance directed in her son’s direction before a drop to his hind legs to show “low” and prompting Katja Hissler to spring into action. 

For the past two years, Taylor, a rambunctious golden retriever, has been alerting the Hissler family when their 8-year-old’s blood glucose levels have dropped to a dangerously low number. The canine is a highly-skilled and trained assistance dog hailing from Power Paws Assistance Dogs based in Scottsdale. 

“If I don’t react, he’ll nudge you again,” says Katja, Sami’s mother. “You’re always scared (when you have a child with a disease). So, for me, Taylor is someone to help me. He gives me peace of mind. I would recommend this program to every parent with a child with diabetes.” 

When Sami was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 4, Hissler immediately began researching everything she could about the autoimmune disease. Her diligence paid off when she learned about Power Paws, whose main training areas of placement are for mobility assistance, PTSD for civilians and veterans, diabetic alert, and facility dogs (dogs specifically trained to assist professionals in law enforcement, courts, forensics and teachers). Established in 2001, the nonprofit is one of three agencies in Arizona accredited by Assistance Dogs International and since its inception, has placed 400-plus dogs into service.

The dogs, primarily golden and Labrador retrievers, are skilled to do many tasks that are difficult for those with mobility impairments. These include turning light switches on and off, opening and closing doors or drawers, retrieving dropped items, untying shoelaces, removing gloves and socks, as well as providing love and companionship.
 

Dogs trained to assist in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder calm their handler, help with stressful situations, or wake them from night terrors. But more than anything, Stark says the assistance canines give clients independence. 

“It improves social engagement because the dogs need to exercise, forcing clients to get out,” she adds. “The companionship is a huge role with the service dog. It absolutely helps with confidence.”

Although the application process to obtain a service dog can be tedious, Starks and Hissler agree that potential clients must be committed and mature before taking on the responsibility.

 “The process to have a working dog is long and you have to invest—go to the classes, learn, be there, research,” Hissler says. “If a family doesn’t like dogs or a child is frightened of dogs, it probably won’t work.” 

Applications to request a service dog are available on the Power Paws website. In addition to a brief biography with the applicant’s basic information, a physician’s prescription is required “to make certain the client is not misdiagnosing themselves,” Starks explains. 

Once the information is received, applicants are contacted within 48 hours. A questionnaire and medical release is then required, which is evaluated by a training staff member to see if a good match can be found. Placement of a service dog is approximately 12 to 16 months after the client has met the requirements. 

Dogs undergo extensive health testing, including hip and elbow X-rays, as well as a full checkup on heart health by a canine cardiologist, and eye health by a canine ophthalmologist. Intensive training consists of science-based, positive reinforcement clicker training and force-free methods. 

Hissler says Taylor’s service is priceless. “There are so many downs this child has had. It’s not easy to have diabetes. This program is something incredibly special,” she says. 

Another priceless aspect of the program is the dedication of the staff, volunteers and donors. Starks says without this teamwork, “it would be impossible for Power Paws to serve the community of 1,000 at-risk Arizonans each year.”