Diabetic Alert Dogs of America

We had a deeply disappointing experience with this company. From the beginning, there were numerous red flags, and in hindsight, we wish we had trusted our instincts. Please read every contract thoroughly — we were told many things that didn’t align with what we ultimately signed. When discrepancies arose, we were met with, “Well, the contract you signed says this.” That’s on us for taking their word at face value, but it highlights a serious lack of transparency. The entire process took nearly a year. During the matching period, communication was poor, and we often felt like we were being given the runaround. There also seems to be a significant disconnect between the owner and the training staff. Once we were finally matched with a dog, we did receive weekly training updates, which we appreciated. However, based on our earlier conversations, we expected to be more involved in the training process — especially to ensure the dog was exposed to our two-year-old with Type 1 diabetes. That involvement was a key reason we chose a local company. We only met the dog twice before she was placed in our home. At just 10 months old, she exhibited many typical puppy behaviors: nipping at our toddler, chewing, and trying to grab toys. It was clear she wasn’t ready for placement — and certainly not with a toddler. We asked for her to continue training and receive more exposure to our child. It wasn’t fair to our toddler or the dog, Winnie, to move forward under those conditions. Winnie also hadn’t been exposed to toddlers before placement, and her scent alerting seemed forced — more like a reaction to treats than an actual detection of blood sugar levels. While we understood that alerting would take additional practice, she simply wasn’t ready. The trainers agreed she needed more time and were open to working with us on a plan. Fortunately, we did not sign the satisfaction paperwork stating we were happy with her training. That decision, however, upset the owner, Ed, who responded in a way we found extremely unprofessional. He refused to continue training despite his staff's willingness to move forward. Because we didn’t sign the papers, we were immediately issued a refund, returned the dog and the relationship was terminated. We do not recommend this company. Not only are we back to square one searching for another service dog, but the situation left our two-year-old afraid of dogs — a heartbreaking and completely avoidable outcome.

As a Type 1 Diabetic and a nearly fully defrauded client, I feel compelled to warn others about this organization. They do not honor their word, their contracts, or their ethical responsibility to the people they claim to serve. Worse, they are not properly certified or qualified to provide legitimate, accredited international service animals. If you are seriously looking for a trained service dog that meets federal and international standards, this is not the place. The animals provided here may be little more than overpriced pets. They are not formally recognized and you may have problems with both traveling and accommodations with work/school. Do not sign any contract with them. Do not pay them a single dime. You will be putting your money and your well-being at risk. Thankfully, I was able to walk away before they took more of my hard-earned and fundraised money. But others may not be so lucky. I strongly urge you to instead work with Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). Organizations that are recognized worldwide for their rigorous standards, transparency, and genuine commitment to supporting people with disabilities. Living with a chronic illness like diabetes is already challenging enough. When you seek support, you deserve compassion, professionalism and integrity. Not exploitation! Please stay far away from this organization and place your trust in those who truly want to help, not profit off your need. RUN!!!!!! Do not walk away from this organization and others like this.

Working with DADA over several months and could not be happier with the professionalism, the training methodology and the accredited service dog, Loki, that was matched with me. The energy and focus of Loki in alerting my hypoglycemic events is outstanding and highly accurate, even holding superior alerts over my CGMS. Every member of the support team at DADA shares the dedication and desire to matching Loki with me: Kristen's thorough and quick response in all matters, the coordination team of Edwin, Luis and Sean helping in the simplest to unexpected matters, and Joanne & the core trainers! I could not sing higher praises of their work and professionalism - I will gladly recommend and support other diabetics needing a service animal to work with DADA!

Our family has been nothing short of grateful for the life-changing service we’ve received from Diabetic Alert Dogs of America (DAD). My husband, who has Type 1 diabetes, has experienced severe blood sugar lows, one of which even triggered a seizure. This obviously left us particularly nervous since he works from home and is often alone during the day. It became clear that we needed a solution to ensure his safety while also giving our family peace of mind. We were connected with DAD, and from the very start, they made the entire process of acquiring a service dog as seamless as possible. The team was extremely patient and attentive, answering all of our questions and keeping us informed with regular updates on the progress of the dog’s training. The level of care and dedication that went into their training process was evident, and it was clear that they genuinely care about both the people they serve and the dogs they train. When it came time for our dog to come home, our trainer, Shelby took the extra step of delivering him to our house and staying for several days to help with the transition. She trained us on how to live, work, and play with a service dog, making sure we were comfortable and well-prepared to support him in his role. Shelby and any other trainers we worked with were incredibly patient, thorough, and supportive, ensuring that our family felt confident in the dog’s ability to alert my husband to dangerous blood sugar fluctuations. Even months later, DAD has continued to be a reliable resource. Whenever we have a question or need additional guidance, they’re always happy to assist. Their team remains courteous, professional, and responsive, which has been a huge relief for us. In addition to the skill and expertise of the trainers, the bond we’ve formed with our dog has been incredible. He’s truly become a vital part of our family, and knowing that he’s there to help monitor my husband’s blood sugar levels provides a tremendous sense of security. I can’t recommend Diabetic Alert Dogs of America enough. They’ve made an incredible impact on our lives, and we are so thankful for their service. If you’re looking for a highly skilled and compassionate team to assist with the life-saving service of a diabetic alert dog, DAD is the place to go. Rating: 5/5 stars