Edmond Family Raises Money For Diabetic-Alert Dog

When an Edmond family found out their little girl had type one diabetes last year, their lives changed.

For 8-year-old Rylie Brown, jumping on the trampoline is one of her favorite things to do however, it doesn’t come without risks.

“There's a lot that affects blood sugar,” said Lacy Brown, Rylie’s mother.

Monitoring Rylie’s activities and what she eats and drinks have become a daily part of the Browns’ lives since her diagnosis.

“It's important, it will save her life to keep track of what she's eating and drinking,” said Lacy. “We had to write everything down.”

Rylie herself has learned how to count carbs.

“Sometimes I’m eating more than one thing, so I have to add it,” Rylie said.

To help, she has all the digital tools at home that are needed to manage her care, a monitor that constantly checks her blood sugar, and a pump to dispense insulin.

“It's so much easier now that we can just look at the phone and know, and it will beep too if she goes low or high,” said Lacy.

However, there’s one more thing they want, a diabetic-alert dog.

“The dog can sometimes detect a change before the technology does,” Lacy said.

Something she says would give them peace of mind, especially at night.

“If I don't hear my phone if it buzzes, then my dog can just tell me if I’m high or low,” said Rylie.

They also feel the dog would offer emotional support.

“I think having a dog that can also help with the anxiety of managing it, I think that could be beneficial to her,” said Lacy.

A diabetic alert dog can cost thousands of dollars, so the family started a GoFundMe campaign to help bring Rylie’s dream to life.

“She's a kid, she should be able to be a kid and not have to worry about this stuff,” said Shaun Brown, Rylie’s father. “So, if we have one more resource to be able to help her remember that stuff, I just think it would be a game changer for her.”

If you would like to help Rylie get a dog, CLICK HERE