Dogabetics

Dogabetics offers a Diabetic Alert Service Dog Program for individuals 12 years of age or older. The program begins with an application review, followed by an interview and demonstration if the applicant is deemed appropriate.

Training is individualized and requires the handler to be present at their Tacoma facility and in real-life situations, as dogs are not trained and shipped. The curriculum includes obedience, scent training, and public access, covering ADA regulations.

Dogs accepted into the program must be 6 months to 2 years old, under 60 lbs, and good with people and other dogs.

Pricing Summary

The total cost for the Diabetic Alert Service Dog Program is $9,500. A reduced cost program is available for clients who already have a qualifying dog.

Dogabetics is a dog training business formed in February 2009, specializing in training service dogs, specifically diabetic alert dogs. The business was inspired by the story of a young boy named Liam and his mother, aiming to assist individuals living with type 1 diabetes.

Ron Pace, the owner and Master Dog Trainer/Instructor, leads Dogabetics. He brings over 30 years of experience in dog training, having researched and perfected professional, humane methods for various settings, including homes, industries, and police departments.

Dogabetics focuses on training dogs to detect changes in blood sugar levels, leveraging the dog’s keen sense of smell, which research indicates is more accurate and sensitive than meters. Their signature teaching style incorporates praise training, blending positive and traditional methods.

The training program emphasizes a strong team concept, requiring handlers to learn alongside their dogs at the Tacoma facility and in real-life situations, as dogs are not trained and shipped. Dogabetics aims to help 100 teams per year, providing a successful canine partnership for those committed to the intense training process.

Accomplishments

Ron Pace, the master trainer, has been training dogs since 1976, accumulating over 30 years of experience. He has researched and perfected humane training methods for homes, industries, and police departments. His accomplishments include assisting in forming K-9 programs for various City, County, State, and Federal Agencies, and being the first civilian hired to perform drug searches in Washington State public schools. He is also the author of the book “Pace Yourself.”

Dogabetics was formed in February 2009 with a mission to assist individuals with type 1 diabetes. The business has been featured in various media outlets, including Wild About Animals, Tacoma News Tribune, KING 5 News, CNN, The Spokesman Review, and Tacoma Weekly.

How to Get Started!

To begin, prospective clients must complete an application detailing their medical needs and goals. After reviewing the application, staff will contact the applicant within 10-14 days to schedule an interview and demonstration. If accepted into the program, the next step involves selecting a suitable dog for training.