Lisa and Ryan Hartzvell are embarking on a fundraising mission to pay for a special dog for their daughter, Avery, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two years ago at the age of 6.
The addition of a Diabetic Alert Dog to the Berlin family will be costly, but crucial in managing Avery’s condition, her parents say.
“The first year of diagnosis was certainly the hardest as there is so much to learn,” said Lisa. “We went from eating freely to measuring and counting carbs on a daily basis, giving insulin for each meal and snack, frequenting blood sugar checks, and learning how to pair foods along with timing in order to control blood sugars as best as we can.Â
“We also learned there is no break with diabetes,” she added. “Diabetes is a disease that requires 24-hour attention.”
The couple learned that a Diabetic Alert Dog (DAD) can provide additional medical protection to their daughter by helping to control and manage the highs and lows in Avery’s blood sugar, among other ways to enhance her overall well-being.
“We envision a Diabetic Alert Dog to help us with all of those aspects,” Lisa noted. “Medically, a (DAD) will alert us when a sugar is within a specific low range as well as a high range.”
Lisa and Ryan are in the process of training their new dog via puppy kindergarten. The training extends beyond an initial phase and will require continuous positive reinforcement from the couple.
Avery’s dog cost the family an estimated $35,000, so they’ve launched a GoFundMe campaign and received donations from the likes of the Berlin Fire Company, its police department and its Lions Club. Additional fundraising efforts include a Super Bowl football pool and a forthcoming basket raffle.
But the Hartzvells want to go beyond fundraising for themselves by making other families grappling with Type 1 diabetes aware of what they’ve learned by acquiring their dog. Lisa also expressed gratitude for the community’s support so far, including from area businesses and individuals through the GoFundMe page.
“We have also received cash and check donations as well,” Lisa said. ” … In the event we exceed the cost necessary, we plan to donate to Maylee’s Mission, a nonprofit organization to help diabetics with their needs.”
Lisa’s advice to other families about a Diabetic Alert Dog for their child emphasizes the life-changing nature of a diabetes diagnosis and the hope that a DAD can offer a quicker response to changes in the child’s condition.
“From our experience, we gained awareness of how to go about getting a (DAD) from another family by word of mouth,” she explained. “We would love for others who are also experiencing the challenges that come with Type 1 diabetes to know the way to go about getting (one).
“We’ve also received cash and check donations as well,” Lisa added. ” … In the event we exceed the cost necessary, we plan to donate to Maylee’s Mission, a nonprofit organization to help diabetics with their needs.”
For more information on how to help Avery Hartzvell, visit https://gofund.me/1649aff5
