Lions Clubs International Marks World Diabetes Day With Medical Response Dog Training Program
New Program Will Train Dogs to Assist People With Diabetes Manage Their Condition
Chicago, IL (November 14, 2023) - In recognition of World Diabetes Day, Lions Clubs International (LCI) is launching a new program to train medical response dogs to assist people with diabetes manage their condition. The program will provide training for Lions Club members and their dogs to detect and respond to blood sugar emergencies, such as hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, over 537 million people worldwide have diabetes. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 34.2 million people have diabetes, and 90 to 95% of those cases are type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body's ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
Medical response dogs can be trained to detect changes in blood sugar levels by smelling the person's breath or sweat. When the dog detects a change, it will alert the person and take action, such as retrieving a glucose meter or calling for help. Medical response dogs can provide peace of mind and independence for people with diabetes, and they can help to prevent serious complications.
LCI's new medical response dog training program will be offered in partnership with Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to people with disabilities. CCI will provide the dogs and training for the Lions Club members. The program will be piloted in several Lions Club districts in the United States, and it is expected to be expanded to other countries in the future.
"We are excited to partner with Lions Clubs International on this important program," said CCI CEO Paige Mazzoni. "Medical response dogs can make a real difference in the lives of people with diabetes, and we are confident that this program will help to train more dogs to assist people with this condition."
"Lions Clubs International is committed to serving our communities and making a difference in the lives of others," said LCI President Douglas X. Alexander. "This new medical response dog training program is a great example of how Lions are working to improve the lives of people with diabetes."
About Lions Clubs International
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization, with over 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Lions Clubs International is a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian services to communities around the world. Lions Clubs International is the sponsor of the Lions Clubs International Foundation, which provides financial support to Lions Clubs International programs.
About Canine Companions for Independence
Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to people with disabilities. Canine Companions for Independence has trained over 7,000 service dogs since its founding in 1975. Canine Companions for Independence is the largest provider of service dogs in the United States.
