SHELBYVILLE, IL. — One little girl is on the list to get a special dog and is looking for help to get him.

Six-year-old Alissa Shasteen of Shelbyville and her family and friends are raising money to receive a Diabetic Alert Dog (D.A.D.) that will detect when her blood sugar drops too low or rises too high.

Alissa, daughter of Nick and Jamie Shasteen, was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes (also known as Type I diabetes) at 14 months of age. She is unaware of fluctuations in her blood sugar levels, which can put her in a life-threatening position.

“She has to have her blood checked every two to three hours around the clock,” said her mother Jamie Shasteen. “Alissa doesn’t feel different no matter what her blood sugar level is.”

A diabetes alert dog (D.A.D.) is specially bred and trained to detect fluctuations in her levels through its sense of smell even before the diabetic realizes it, or before monitors register it, and alerts the diabetic or family members.

Warren Retrievers in Orange, Virginia, speicalizes in the training of diabetes alert dogs. Dan Warren is an former Marine who trained dogs to detect narcotics, explosives, and arson. He was also diagnosed as a Type I diabetic in 2004 at the age of 30.

“I did a lot of research and used all the information I knew about a dog’s detection capabilities to develop this program. I didn’t invent the program; I just developed the dog’s natural gift,” Warren said. He worked with the University of Virginia in the research study.

Warren explained that when a person’s blood sugar rises, the body emits a sweet smell. When a person’s blood sugar level drops, the body emits an acidic smell. The dog’s nose receptors, which number nearly 50 times more than a human’s, detect those subtle changes and the dog alerts the patient through a nudge or a touch of the paw or alerts family members. The dog can also be trained to retrieve medication or the glucose meter for the patient. Special devices can also be used by the dog to call 9-1-1 , family members, or other numbers with a specially recorded message stating that there is a medical emergency.

“It’s a great help for those living alone,” Warren said.

The dog is a service animal just like the ones for the blind, those with seizure disorders, anxiety disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, hearing impairment, traumatic brain injury, autism and other health issues. It is not a pet and is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Warren’s Diabetes Alert Dog program was begun in 2010 and has been endorsed by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Over 300 families each year have enrolled in the program and dogs have been placed all over the country and overseas.

Jamie said she heard about the program from a friend of hers in Texas who got a dog for her little girl.

“A dog will give her more independence and give us more peace of mind,” Jamie said.

The dog, a lab retriever,  costs about $19,000 and Alissa is expected to get her dog sometime this fall. The dog will be about 3-4 months old and have passed the scent training.

“There will be a two-year training period. A trainer will come to our house every 90 days to work with the dog,” Jamie said.

Warren said diabetes alert dogs are not covered by insurance and that it costs about $40,000 to train a dog.

“We’re able to offset the financial burden about 50 percent through gifts, donations, and endowments. There are several philanthropic organizations, such as Lions and Rotary Clubs, who give,” Warren said.

“The families agree to a three-year fundraising commitment not only pay for their dog but also to pay it forward to other families. Money raised will stay in the area to help other families in that area.”

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be held June 2 from 5-8 p.m. at the Shelby Christian Church. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children. Monical’s will cater the spaghetti and the rest of the dinner will include salad, breadsticks, dessert, and drink. There will also be a bake sale and silent auction.

Tickets for the spaghetti dinner may be purchased by contacting Jamie Shasteen, (217) 357-5300, or Kristina Theiss, (217) 827-2405.

A vendor fair will also be held for Alissa’s benefit at the ConDov Plaza, North Morgan and First Street, on June 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Donations may be made at First Federal Savings & Loan, Shelbyville (Alissa Shasteen’s Alert Dog); online at www.guardianangelservicedogs.org. (designate Alissa Shasteen’s D.A.D.); or mail donations directly to Warren Retrievers at Guardian Angel Service Dogs, Inc. P.O. Box 910, Orange VA 22960. Write Alissa Shasteen’s D.A.D. on the memo line.

For more information about the program visit www.diabetesalertdogs.com.