21
1205 Broadway Ave Yankton, SD 57078
Map
when Benji was just a couple years old. Those two
years, though, left a lasting impact on the Dennison
family and led them on the path to finding a
trained medical alert dog for Benji.
Dennison began to read and research and
speak with trainers. She found an online
community of parents who also had children
with hyperinsulinism to be a particularly valuable
resource.
“We researched breeds and decided that a mixed
breed would be the best option to reduce health
concerns (with the dog),” explained Dennison. “At
one point we looked into bloodhounds as they are
excellent for diabetic alert, but they are just too
large for a small child.”
Dennison worked with a private trainer and
consultant in eastern Iowa who matched them with
Johnnie, who was three years old at the time she
came to live with the Dennisons.
“Yes, she’s a girl named Johnnie,” said Dennison.
“That’s what happens when you let a three-year-old
name a dog!”
Johnnie is part Shiba Inu, a breed not traditionally used for service
work. The Shiba Inu, a spitz breed originating in Japan and first bred
for hunting, is also a breed that generally requires experienced owners.
“Fortunately for us, she possesses only a few traits of her breed,” said
Dennison. “I’m not sure what she is mixed with, but her small size and
sunny disposition make her the perfect match for Benji.”
As with all diabetic alert dogs, Johnnie, now 9, was scent trained
to identify the smell that a diabetic person has when their blood
sugar is outside of the normal range. Johnnie’s
training took place in a nursing home. In
addition, Johnnie was trained to be in multiple
public settings just as any other service dog to
ensure she could demonstrate assertive yet not
aggressive behavior.
When Johnnie senses that Benji needs
help, she lets the rest of the family know very
clearly.
“Johnnie paws at the feet of my husband
and me when she senses that Benji’s blood sugar
has dropped,” said Dennison. “When she thinks
that her alerts have not been addressed fully she
tends to emit what is know as a ‘shiba howl.’ It’s a
tough noise to describe, but it can’t be ignored.”
Johnnie came to the Dennison home when
Benji was a preschooler and medically at his
lowest point.
“After she joined our family, I remember
her frequently having a kind of wild look in her
eyes as she watched us frantically try to keep
(Benji) stable on a daily basis,” said Dennison.
“Her demeanor always remained calm, although I’m sure she must
have been thinking ‘What did I get myself into?’”
Johnnie soon eased into her role as Benji’s diabetes alert dog. It
didn’t take long for Dennison and the rest of the family to realize that
Johnnie would also become Benji’s friend.
“Benji has a great appreciation of the importance that Johnnie plays
vDENNISON continued on page 22
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