A recent Instagram clip shows a daughter’s medical alert dog jumping into action to warn parents she was “in danger,” according to the post.
Shannon Boggs told Newsweek that her daughter has had her medical alert dog, Spy, for about a year and a half. But getting Spy to where she is now with alerting took a “ton of work.” Spy didn’t come trained for blood sugar alerts, she explained.
This was disappointing, she said, because that’s what they needed for Raelynn. But they put in the work, and now Spy smells when her blood sugars drop too low or get too high.
In the October 15 Instagram clip shared to the account @theboggs_family, Spy is seen running to Raelynn’s parents, who were walking behind her. Raelynn was ahead on a bike, but when Spy alerted her she got off, sat down and waited. Spy can notice her blood sugar levels changing about 15 to 20 minutes before her Dexcom device sends an alert. This time, the Dexcom didn’t even go off.
“Technology is great, but it fails and Spy is a great resource backup for those times,” Boggs said.
Spy happily ran back and forth between the parents and Raelynn, her tail wagging. She was proud of herself for doing the right thing. When Spy knew the parents were on their way, she stayed by Raelynn’s side, offering comfort.
Boggs is thankful Spy was there even though they were just out for a walk by their house. It was a reminder that even when they’re close to home, Raelynn should prepare by bringing snacks in case anything like that happens again.
An Instagram video shows how a daughter’s medical alert dog came to her parents to let them know she was in danger. The dog is trained to smell whether her blood sugar is too low or too high.
@theboggs_family/Instagram
This wasn’t the first time Spy alerted the parents of Raelynn’s blood sugar changing. Boggs said she will wake them up in the middle of the night. She stays on her paws, ready to alert whenever Raelynn needs it.
“She recently even alerted us when Raelynn was at her cousins’ over a mile from our house,” she said. “She does go to school and stay with her often, but sometimes she will ‘take a break’ if Raelynn attends a sleepover or goes somewhere with other dogs.”
Raelynn and Spy are “inseparable.” Boggs said they sleep together every night and go to school together. Spy is even there to comfort her during painful injections or bad days.
“I am always transparent that these dogs are amazing but take ongoing training and a lot of responsibility, especially on the handler’s part,” she said. “Young children sometimes aren’t ready for that type of responsibility. But for us it was worth it.”
The Instagram video has over 5.6 million views and 234,000 likes as of Monday.
“Hate that your little girl has to go through this but what a blessing Spy is for her and your entire family! Animals will NEVER cease to amaze me!” commented one viewer.
Another added: “This is sooooo sweet. Thanks Spy for alerting mom AND Dad about her low blood sugar. You’re a hero. Lifetime supply of treats coming your way.”
