Positive Response has a specialised trainer who can assist clients to train their dogs in scent work for medical and diabetic alerts, to detect hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), bradycardia (low heart rate), tachycardia (high heart rate), hypertension (high blood pressure), hypotension (low blood pressure), hypoxia (low oxygen saturation) and hyperoxia (high oxygen saturation).
We outline the types of tasks that support specific medical conditions. Because every dog and handler is different, some may need additional or specialized tasks. In those cases, your trainer will review your options with you and tailor the training to meet your individual needs.
Tasks for Diabetes, Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia:
- Diabetes -There are two types of diabetes Type 1 and Type 2. These include Reactive or unstable sugar levels of any kind including Autoimmune conditions
- Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycaemia)
Task: Alert paired with calming behaviours, grounding pressure, medication retrieval, or prompting the handler to rest
and monitor levels.
Alert: Nose boop, paw, or bark
Task: Dog alerts to blood sugar drop and retrieves emergency glucose or medication kit, or guides handler to sit safely.
- High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycaemia)
Alert: Bark, persistent pawing, or focused stare
Task: Alert is paired with a complex behaviour such as retrieving insulin supplies, prompting blood glucose testing, or alerting another person if required.
Tasks for Cardiac episodes:
- Cardiac or Autonomic Episode (General)
Alert: Intuitive alert (paw, nudge, or bark)
Task: Stay-with behaviour, emergency button activation, retrieval of medical kit, or alerting another person.
- Fainting / Pre-Syncope
Alert: Silent nudge or down behaviour
Task: Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT), bracing support, or activation of an emergency alert system.
Tasks for Heart rate fluctuations:
- Low Heart Rate (Bradycardia)
Alert: Nose nudge, paw, or sustained contact
Task: Dog alerts to dangerously low heart rate, applies grounding pressure, and encourages the handler to sit or lie down safely.
- High Heart Rate (Tachycardia)
Alert: Persistent nudge, circling, or bark
Task: Alert paired with Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT), grounding behaviours, and guiding the handler to a safe resting position or exit.
Tasks for Oxygen levels:
- Low Oxygen Levels (Hypoxia)
Alert: Nose boop, pawing, or repeated alert behaviour
Task: The dog alerts to falling oxygen levels, retrieves oxygen equipment or medication as needed, and alerts another person if required.
- High Oxygen Saturation Changes (Oxygen Instability)
Alert: Behavioural change alert (nudge, paw, or sit-stay focus)
Task: Alert to abnormal oxygen changes paired with prompting rest, grounding pressure, or equipment retrieval.
Tasks for Blood Pressure changes:
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
Alert: Silent nudge or down behaviour
Task: The dog alerts prior to dizziness or fainting, applies DPT, provides light bracing if trained, and assists the handler to safely sit or lie down.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Alert: Paw, nose boop, or bark
Task: Alerts are paired with calming behaviours, grounding pressure, medication retrieval, or prompting the handler to rest and monitor their levels.
For more information about the Asisstance dog program see our FAQ page.
Our trainers are accredited through GHAD (guide, hearing and assistance dogs).
If you are interested in training medical and diabetic alerts with your dog book private training.