PROJECT 2 HEAL PUPPY TRAINED AS DIABETIC ALERT DOG
MEET SAMANTHA PRESSLEY:
Samantha first teamed up with Moonpie when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes as a child. Donated by Project 2 Heal, Moonpie was trained by Samantha herself in partnership with a training organization in South Carolina. Ever since, Samantha and Moonpie have become totally inseparable—even attending school together!
Because of Moonpie's ability to alert Samantha of low blood sugar even before a glucometer, there is less strain on the pancreas. Moonpie also provided invaluable emotional support during spells of low blood sugar, which can be incredibly difficult.
"MOONPIE HASN'T LEFT MY SIDE SINCE SHE WAS BORN... I TRUTHFULLY DON'T KNOW WHERE I'D BE WITHOUT HER."
life-threatening hospital visit results in life-changing partnership.
In 2013, Samantha was rushed to hospital due to a serious medical incident. Over the next four days and three nights, her family realized the severity of the situation. After a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes, Samantha's mother began researching the condition and all available methods of prevention. During her research, she came across the idea of diabetic alert dogs.
After learning about Project 2 Heal, Samantha's mother reached out to founder Charlie Petrizzo, who had coincidentally attended a seminar discussing diabetic alert dogs recently. Charlie agreed to donate a puppy from an upcoming litter, and so Samantha began working with these puppies to imprint the scent of low blood sugar. By collecting saliva with dental gauze and freezing the samples, Samantha was able to rehydrate the scent and spray it on the mother dog when the puppies were nursing.
This created a positive association for the puppies between the scent of Samantha's low blood sugar and food or other rewards. After eight weeks, Samantha brought home a puppy who had really taken to her, which she named Moonpie. Samantha began training Moonpie by working with a training organization in Anderson, South Carolina. By the time Moonpie was one year old, she was fully trained as a diabetic alert dog, going everywhere with Samantha—even school!
"Moonpie hasn't left my side since she was born... I truthfully don't know where I'd be without her.
Samantha Pressley
Diabetic Alert Dog Recipient
Monthly donors—which we call, "Healing Pawtners"—are the foundation of Project 2 Heal and our mission of reducing the cost and time it takes to place a service dog with a person in need. We're the only nonprofit in the country dedicated to breeding, nurturing, and donating Labrador Retriever puppies to become service dogs for veterans, children with special needs, and adults with disabilities. Our work can change—and in some cases, save—lives of people in need.
Through your monthly donation of $10, $30, $50 or $100, you provide Project 2 Heal with a consistent and reliable source of funding to allow us to meet our mission.
As a Healing Pawtner You'll Enjoy:
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Knowledge that your donation will be immediately put to work.
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Monthly "Pup-Dates" via email.
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Opportunity to tour and visit our facility.
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Access to playtime with our service puppies in training.
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Car magnet to display and show your support.
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Ability to change or suspend your donation at any time.
