Amazing dog has saved her owner's life more than 100 times
Chris Gardener, 34, lives with his wife Samantha who is his full-time carer, six-year-old son Jayden and Jade, his hypo alert dog.
In a three-month period, Jade has alerted Chris 456 times to his lower blood glucose levels, preventing him from a possible hypo attack. In the three years that Jade has been looking after Chris, she has helped him more than 4,000 times.
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Hide AdBefore diagnosis Chris worked as a hospital porter and was a typical 22-year-old enjoying his job and in his spare time playing basketball, running and drinking with his mates.
Then, with absolutely no warning, he collapsed. He awoke to find himself in A&E with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Understandably, he thought his life was over.
Since that dark day in 2005 Chris has had more ambulance call-outs, high dependency stays and A&E visits than he can remember – all with dangerously high or low blood sugar levels.
As if the diabetes itself was not enough, it has resulted in numerous other serious health complications such as heart disease, retinopathy, dual incontinence and a disease that kills the nervous system in his back, bladder, bowels, feet and knees.
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Hide AdChris is just one in a handful of patients whose diabetes the NHS cannot get under control, despite an insulin pump, glucose monitoring and various courses.
In desperation he enquired about a full pancreas transplant, but he was rejected because of the severity of his diabetes and the very real risk that he would not come around from an anaesthetic.
Deprived of any independence and unable even to play with his young son, Chris felt he was existing rather than living.
Just before Christmas 2014, came the magical moment when Chris met Jade who came from the charity Medical Detection Dogs. In that poignant moment, both man and dog seemed to know that their lives had changed forever, for the better.
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Hide AdChris said:“Her attachment to me is phenomenal, she is always by my side.
“She sleeps beside my bed and even when she is out running free on a walk she prefers to keep by my side.”
Jade is trained to alert Chris when his blood sugar level drops below five and she does this by placing a paw on him if he is sitting down and jumping up at him if he is standing up.
In a three-month period, Jade alerted Chris 456 times and his wife only had to use three hypo kits (as opposed to more than 12 a week before Jade arrived) when, despite Jade’s alert, his sugar dropped so fast he couldn’t treat himself quickly enough.
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Hide AdThe difference Jade has made to Chris is monumental. She has not just saved his life, but has helped him regain his confidence and independence and lead a life like any other 32-year-old husband and father.
From a bleak, dependent existence when he could never go out on his own or be left alone he is starting to enjoy the simple pleasures that most of us take for granted – like going to the shops or having friends round while his wife goes out.
Chris is a regular user of global diabetes community diabetes.co.uk and has made a network of new friends who he can share his experiences with.