A Clinton man has a new canine companion to help him manage his medical condition.
33-year-old Michael Jones has Down syndrome and type 1 diabetes.
For 20 years, Michael managed his blood sugar, until one day his body stopped showing diabetic symptoms.
Michael was hospitalized with a blood sugar level of more than 900. His independence was restricted as his parents began more closely monitoring his blood sugar, waking him up in the middle of the night to administer insulin.
With help from several East Tennessee Lions Clubs, Michael's family was able to purchase a diabetic alert service dog, which costs $15,000.
Ami, a poodle, joined the Jones family on Tuesday, and she already smelled when Michael’s blood sugar spiked or dropped four times.
“She's going to paw him, and if he doesn't respond after pawing him a couple of times, she's going to jump up on him,” said Michael’s father, Robert Jones. “Lick him all over in his face or whatever. She's going to get his attention, and if she doesn't get his attention, she's trained to make a scene to where someone will notice something isn't right.”
The Clinton Lions Club plans to continue raising funds for East Tennesseans who might need a diabetic alert service dog.