Diabetes

[fimbo]

We have a child in our setting with type 1 diabetes - mum has approached us about the possibility of him having a diabetes dog - has anyone had any experience of this in their setting ?

[Fredbear]

Hi check out early alert canines, it has some interesting thoughts.

[mundia]

I don't think the support dogs are suitable or recommended for very young children and even if they are used at home, they're not usually ideal at school. I think i recall a conversation a while back suggesting not under the age of 12 although I may have mis remembered that. You could contact diabetes UK and ask for advice.

[Fredbear]

Yes it does say 12 years and over on the early alert canines website. Also thinking about the school as a whole, they may well have other children with allergies to pets and phobias too, so may not be a suitable method within the school system.

[sunnyday]

Doesn't sound practical to me at all - not that I know anything about such matters.......

[Mouseketeer]

Ask mum if she's going to be available to come in and clean up after it each time.....she'll soon see it's an unworkable idea ;-p

[Upsy Daisy]

There are usually long waiting lists for assistance dogs. The child may have left your setting before this happens.

[fimbo]

Many thanks for all the replies - we seem to be managing her diabetes quite well in the setting , so I'm not sure what benefit we would see tbh ? We are in the grounds of a school - so not sure how we would manage the poops and the pee's either

[finleysmaid]

we have an adult with an assistance dog who works in a pre-school in this area. Seems to be very popular !! They are often trained as to when to go to the loo! I know one of our local boys got his assistance dog at 7 but i'm not aware that he ever took her to school. I presume that the trainers would come to your setting and see if it is possible (does Mum know she is getting one soon??)