Alert dog training

Alert dogs, trained to recognize and respond

Canines 4 Hope provides trained alert dogs for people with disabilities that require a dog to help with everyday tasks, early warning situations and companionship. Alert dog training includes hypo alert dogs, seizure alert dogs and epilepsy alert dogs, and each dog is tailor trained to one person's needs.

Call 1-855-885-6262 Ask about an alert dog
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What an alert dog is

Everyday tasks, early warning situations and companionship

Alert dogs are trained to recognize and respond to blood sugar fluctuations in diabetic patients, seizures and panic attacks. Canines 4 Hope has been training alert service dogs for over 20 years, and each alert dog is specifically trained to their owner's personal needs based on their medical condition.

A well trained alert service dog is trained to assist and alert, helping individuals to live a normal life and give their handlers the sense of independence they deserve.

Canines 4 Hope is located in Palm City, Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast of Florida. Alert dog training services are available to clients nationwide, in any state.

Another set of caring eyes is focused on that seizure prone child or adult.

Canines 4 Hope, on seizure alert dogs
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Alert dog programs

Three alert programs, one dog trained for one person

Alert dog training includes hypo alert dogs, seizure alert dogs and epilepsy alert dogs. Canines 4 Hope also provides customized alert dog training programs for autism alert dogs and psychiatric alert dogs.

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Diabetic Alert Dogs and Hypo-Alert Dogs

Also known as Diabetic Service Dogs, Diabetes Alert Dogs, Hypo Alert Dogs or DADs. With their superior scenting abilities, these dogs can actually sense chemical changes taking place when blood sugar goes too high or low in a person with diabetes. They are usually paired with an individual for life.

A diabetic alert service dog provides a safety net for an adult or child with diabetes by making sure that when a drop or rise in blood sugar occurs, the patient is immediately alerted to the life threatening situation.

Diabetic service dogs are carefully trained to

  • Recognize the scent changes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
  • Recognize breath scent changes of high blood sugar
  • Alert the diabetic to take medicine
  • Retrieve glucose
  • Retrieve medication
  • Retrieve a phone or dial 911

The tasks above represent what a diabetic service dog is capable of performing. Each diabetic alert service dog is specifically trained to their owner's personal needs based on their medical condition and may or may not include the tasks described.

Published on the Canines 4 Hope diabetic alert dog page

Allison's Story

Diabetes Hypo Alert Dog

My daughter Allison is eighteen years old and was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of twelve. She has been taking insulin for the past six years, but still suffers from low blood sugar attacks that often lead to grand mal seizures. Needless to say Allison's episodes are very frightening for all of us. She wears an early warning device that will alert her of changes in her blood sugar, but occasionally the device does not work properly.

Bedtime is a very stressful time for Allison and our family. Allison's blood sugar can and has dropped during the night causing her to have a seizure. There is also the risk of Allison falling into a diabetic coma. We decided as a family that we needed a second line of defense for Allison, especially when she is alone or going to sleep. We discovered research about a Hypo-Alert Dog, a dog trained to detect changes in a person's blood sugar levels by their scent.

Fortunately, our family dog Ringo qualified for the type of service training we needed. Ringo is a two year old hound mix with just the right temperament and intelligence for service dog training. Ringo went for several weeks of training with Canines 4 Hope. We live in close proximity to his facility so a Canines 4 Hope service dog trainer came to our house twice a week until Ringo's training was completed.

It has now been four months since Ringo finished his service dog training, and he has alerted Allison on three occasions to a blood sugar drop of less than forty. Our family is now able to sleep soundly at night. The additional confidence Ringo now provides gives us the second line of defense we so desired. Allison is going to school in the fall and we have received permission from the University for Ringo to accompany her. Making Ringo a service dog is the single best decision we have made for our daughter.

Published by Canines 4 Hope, in a parent's words.

Ask about a diabetic alert dog Organizations we support, including JDRF
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Seizure Alert Dogs

A seizure alert dog is highly sensitive to human body language and uses that sensitivity to alert and protect a seizure prone child or adult prior to the seizure episode. It could save the life of an adult or child with a seizure disorder, while providing a care giver the security of knowing that another set of caring eyes is focused on that seizure prone child or adult.

A seizure alert dog can

  • Summon help, either by finding another person or activating a medical alert or pre-programmed phone
  • Pull objects away from the person's body that may be potentially dangerous
  • Block the individual with absence seizures and complex partial seizures from walking into obstacles, streets and other dangerous areas that can result in bodily injury or death
  • Attempt to rouse the unconscious handler during or after a seizure
  • Provide physical support and emotional support
  • Carry information regarding the dog, the handler's medical condition, instructions for first responders, emergency medication and oxygen
  • Sense an impending seizure and alert their handler or care taker

The tasks above represent what a seizure alert service dog is capable of performing. Each seizure service dog is specifically trained to their owner's personal needs based on their medical condition and may or may not include the tasks described.

Professional seizure alert dog training requires two very important ingredients

  • A dog that is highly sensitive to human body language
  • A professional service dog trainer that is experienced at teaching a dog when and how to use this sensitivity to protect a seizure prone child or adult

Published on the Canines 4 Hope seizure alert dog page

Marc's Story

Seizure Alert Dog / Depression Service Dog

My husband Marc was a successful general contractor in Central Florida who was involved in numerous projects within the Disney community. Four years ago he suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him with severe neurological damage, and he lost his ability to speak. As a result of his injury Marc also suffers from major depression as well as seizures.

Marc was once a vibrant man, but has now lost his drive and energy to do anything. After all of the surgeries, and countless hours of rehabilitation, Marc has shown little enthusiasm towards his outlook on life and his future. Our neurologist suggested we look into a service dog to help assist Marc with his seizures. After careful research, we found Canines 4 Hope.

The service dog trainer paired Marc up with Dillon, a two year old German Shepherd Dog who is trained as a seizure response dog for Marc. The addition of Dillon in our lives has been a true blessing. The difference in my husband's behavior, and outlook on life is remarkable. Marc is a changed man. His bouts of depression have improved, and his energy level is totally increased.

Published by Canines 4 Hope, in Marc's wife's words. It also appears on our psychiatric service dog page.

Ask about a seizure alert dog Seizure response dogs
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Epilepsy Alert Dogs

Epilepsy alert dogs are response dogs, trained to recognize, respond and help someone who has epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Alongside that response work, an epilepsy alert dog can sense an impending seizure and alert their handler.

What an epilepsy alert dog is trained for

  • Summoning help
  • Pulling objects away
  • Blocking the individual
  • Rousing the unconscious handler
  • Providing physical support
  • Carrying information
  • Sensing an impending seizure

The tasks above represent what an epilepsy alert dog is capable of performing. Each alert dog is specifically trained to their owner's personal needs based on their medical condition and may or may not include the tasks described.

Ask about an epilepsy alert dog

Hope Is Only A Phone Call Away

Call to speak with one of our medical alert service dog trainers. They will be happy to answer your questions about an alert service dog tailor trained to your specific needs.

1-855-885-6262 Email Canines 4 Hope

Tasks

Tasks an alert service dog is capable of performing

A well trained alert service dog is trained to assist and alert, helping individuals to live a normal life. A trained alert dog can:

  • Retrieve medication and other items
  • Open doors and cabinets
  • Pick up phone
  • Alert authorities
  • Turn on and off lights
  • Alert owner to seizures
  • Alert owner to changes in blood sugar
  • Assist with walking
  • Alert owner to sounds (doorbell, phone, etc)
  • Provide companionship

The tasks above represent what an alert service dog is capable of performing. Each alert dog is specifically trained to their owner's personal needs based on their medical condition and may or may not include the tasks described. Canines 4 Hope has been training alert service dogs for over 20 years and understands that every person has individual needs.

In everyday life

Where an alert dog works

Our goal is to help take some of the burden off care takers and help individuals with medical or physical limitations have a richer and easier life.

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A woman in a supermarket aisle looks up at a yellow Labrador in a red service dog vest that has placed its front paws on her shoulder.
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Cost and timing

What a medical alert service dog costs

The cost of an alert dog depends upon the handler's medical needs and the number of tasks the service dog will need to alert its handler to. Each alert dog is tailor trained to respond and alert to their handler's specific needs, so the price of a medical alert service dog is based on the difficulty of the tasks and the number of tasks an alert dog must be trained to complete.

Please contact Canines 4 Hope to speak with one of our medical alert service dog trainers. They will be happy to answer questions about the cost of an alert service dog tailor trained to your specific needs.

No Long Waiting Lists!

Canines 4 Hope offers pre-trained service dogs, alert dogs and assistance dogs that can be tailor trained to your specific needs in 3 to 6 months. Service dogs, alert dogs and assistance dogs are available to clients nationwide.

1-855-885-6262

There are not-for-profit services and assistance dog training programs available, but most of these wonderful organizations have a waiting list for up to 3 years. If you or someone you love just can't wait that long, give us a call at 1-855-885-6262 or contact Canines 4 Hope.

There is hope!

Tell us about the person who needs an alert dog and what their day looks like. A Canines 4 Hope trainer will talk through the program that fits, whether that is a diabetic and hypo-alert dog, a seizure alert dog or an epilepsy alert dog.

Call 1-855-885-6262 Send a message

Serving the Disabled One Paw At A Time