Dogs are man's best friend for a reason.
They make caring companions, they cuddle up to us when we're sick, and they can even aid the blind. But that's not all. With the right training, a dog can sense change in a human's body chemistry and save a person's life.
At the young age of 5, Dylan Lancaster was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. People who have Type 1 diabetes must always be careful to monitor themselves because their body does not produce an appropriate amount of insulin on its own.
Considering how young Dylan was when he was diagnosed, his family decided it would be in his best interest to get him a service dog to monitor any dangerous changes in his body.
Jack the service dog has changed Dylan's life for the better, and he wanted to make sure kids just like him could be offered the same opportunity. The only problem is, trained service dogs can cost upward of $20,000!
Undeterred by the price tag, Dylan has been motivated to help other children with Type 1 diabetes get the help they need.
Scroll through below to find out how Dylan is helping to place service dogs with families, and let us know what you think of this incredible kid in the comments!
[H/T: WAAY 31]
This is Dylan Lancaster. At the young age of 5, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Since there is currently no known cure for diabetes, all anyone diagnosed with this disease can do is monitor their insulin levels closely.
Jack, Dylan's service dog, has been trained to monitor his owner's body in the event that he has a hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic attack.
Although his service dog was expensive, he was worth every penny.
At the age of 9, Dylan began to think of ways to help other kids just like him connect with service animals.
The only obstacle was the price tag. Service dogs can cost anywhere between $15,000 and $20,000.
The cost of a trained service dog is a hefty price for someone who already has to pay more medical bills than the average person. Dylan was not deterred.
Instead, he created the nonprofit Dylan's Dogs for Diabetes, or D-Cubed.
Dylan and his supporters began hosting fund-raisers.
The motivated young man even began getting sponsors for hiking events through the Appalachian Mountains. For every mile he hikes, he raises more money for the cause.
Their first goal was to match three families with service dogs of their own.
Not only did D-Cubed reach its goal of placing three dogs with three families, but other people caught wind of the program and began to express their interest.
Dylan says his organization now has a waiting list!
Between fund-raising, going to school, attending church, and running his charity, Dylan is one busy kid. The one thing he says will never slow him down? His diagnosis.
"I have diabetes, it doesn't have me," he told WAAY TV.
If you would like to learn more about Dylan's Dogs for Diabetes or would like to donate to the cause, visit their website!
What do you think of Dylan Lancaster's incredible charity? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to SHARE with anyone you know who could benefit from a service animal!
