Eleven-year-old Piper Stroud was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes years ago. To help her on a daily basis, the little girl can count on her dog, Marley, a 3-year-old female Golden Retriever. This was trained to spot variations in blood sugar levels.
At only 7 years old, Piper Stroud had to learn to monitor her glucose levels after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. But since the arrival of Marley next to her, a purebred dog Golden Retrieverthe little girl can count on the support and attentive presence of a new friend.
An ally for monitoring your blood sugar
It is in 2022, after suffering several unusual symptoms noticed by his mother, Faith DeSantiagothat Piper received his diagnosis. Between discomfort after eating sweets, frequent urges to urinate at night, but also significant thirst and hunger, the signals were there to alert his mother, a cardiovascular intensive care nurse. But thanks to his attention and responsiveness, Piper could very quickly be diagnosed. This is where she had to learn how to use a continuous glucose sensor and an insulin pump with the support of Faith. Faced with type 1 diabetes, this type of device made it possible to Piper and his mother to monitor his health in real time, even when they were separated. But Faith wanted to offer her daughter additional help.
It's on TikTok that Faith discovered diabetes alert dogs. With her family, she launched a fundraiser which very quickly made it possible to obtain the necessary money thanks to the mobilization of people. Marley then joined the family, to the greatest happiness of Piper. The dog, trained to detect variations in blood sugar levels, is able to alert the little girl in the event of changes, then stays by her side while she carries out the necessary checks. As confided Faith to the media People, Marley does not need to intervene often thanks to medical devices Piper, “ but she is very proud when she does it “.
Faith DeSantiago / People
A complicity that goes beyond its mission
Marley is, however, more than just an assistance dog for the 11-year-old girl. Side by side, they developed a very close relationship. One day, to celebrate a drop in blood sugar, the dog was so excited that she knocked his juice out of his hands. An unforgettable memory that still entertains Piper and his mother: “ Marley and I are the best of friends “, confided the little girl who describes her companion as “ adorable, wacky, cuddly and intelligent “.
True emotional comfort, the dog is present to support Piper when she feels anxious due to high blood sugar. Marley then lies down against her like a huge weighted blanket », recounted Faith.
Faith DeSantiago / People
“It’s not the end of the world”
Despite the constraints that type 1 diabetes imposes on Piper, Faith refuses to let illness define her daughter. She loves baking, drawing and dancing like cheerleaders. In addition, she seeks to raise awareness of her illness among those around her.
It is with this intention that she created her own “ Diabetes College », a questionnaire and certificates intended for her friends, so that they know how to react in the event of an emergency. She wants her experience to reassure other children. She told the media People that, even if the management of diabetes “ can sometimes be difficult “, it is not ” not the end of the world “. “ With the right tools, you can take care of yourself while enjoying life to the fullest », she concluded.