Northern Indiana Family Raising $30K to Get Diabetic Alert Dog for 5-Year-Old
NORTHERN INDIANA — For many, a dog is a loyal companion. But for 5-year-old Maybel Lowry, a diabetic alert dog could be the difference between life and death.
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Maybel’s body cannot produce insulin. Her blood sugar can plummet or spike within minutes — a dangerous reality her parents, Kylee and her husband, live with every day.
Why Maybel Needs a Diabetic Alert Dog
Maybel currently wears a Dexcom device to track her blood sugar, but like many parents of diabetic children know, technology has limits. The device can lag up to 15 minutes behind real-time readings — precious minutes that could make all the difference.
Her mother recalled a terrifying moment during a swimming lesson when the device failed to give a proper reading:
“When she came back out, I noticed that she was a little bit shaky, so I checked her blood sugar and she was like 45,” Kylee said. “If we would have known, I would have stopped her and had her come get some juice.”
A trained dog, sometimes called a “sugar dog,” could alert the family immediately when Maybel’s levels become dangerous, even while she’s asleep. “If we had a dog, it could help us say you’re fine, you can go back to sleep, and not have to be up every five minutes all night long,” Kylee explained.
The Cost of Safety and Independence
The Lowry family has set a goal of $30,000 — covering the $25,000 cost of a specially trained dog plus another $5,000 for weekly travel to Top Notch Dog Training in Elkhart, where the family will undergo months of preparation with the dog.
Beyond health, Kylee says the dog will also give Maybel something her condition often takes away: freedom.
“For her, it would build freedom and keep the protection for her,” Kylee said. “And then the extra bonus is that mom and dad get a little bit of a break and we don’t have to be on call.”
Maybel’s Own Efforts to Help
Even at just 5 years old, Maybel is pitching in. She’s been making bracelets and beads, running lemonade stands, and even setting up hot cocoa bars to raise money for the dog she’s already named “Luna Unicorn.”
Her mom says Maybel “just loves it” and sees fundraising as her way of helping protect herself.
A Community’s Chance to Make a Difference
The Lowry family is inviting the community to join their efforts and help give Maybel the life-saving service dog she needs. The goal is to provide her with not only safety and companionship, but also the chance to live like any other child her age — to play, explore, and sleep through the night without constant fear.
The story of Maybel and Luna Unicorn is more than just about raising money for a dog. It’s about giving a little girl the chance to live freely and giving her family the peace of mind they desperately need.
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