Music teacher Kenzie Turk’s service animal, Bear, an 8-month-old black Labrador retriever, helps Turk by waking her when her Type I Diabetes flares up and causes her to doze. Bear alerts her when complications from the chronic disease flare up again, so that Turn can take action before something goes tragically wrong.

Bear helps Turk manage her severe diabetes condition by monitoring her blood-sugar level through Bear’s sense of smell. When he senses that the blodd-sugar level has become too high or low, Bear signals Turk with kisses or gentle nudges, alerting Turk that her levels have changed.

“He is my guardian angel,” said Turk, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the young age of 11, and her blood sugar levels are subject to dangerous and sometimes uncontrollable swings. Turk has suffered seizures and blackouts due to her condition, on occasion.

Turk acquired Bear from a Virginia-based nonprofit called Warren Retrievers. Bear is trained to retrieve her blood glucose meter, alert others when Turk’s condition flares up, and even can wear an emergency responder alert device that contacts 911 if Turk is unresponsive and no one comes to her aid.

Without Bear’s help, Turk’s condition would present a much more hazardous danger. But with Bear by her side, she is able to live and work with confidence that her condition will not get in the way of her pursuit of happiness.