WMBD/WYZZ/KFDA TV - From sit to fetch to roll over - most dogs have a few tricks up their sleeves. But some four legged friends have a bit more to offer their owners. In fact, they can help detect unhealthy blood sugar levels.

Nine-year-old Allison Voges was diagnosed with type one diabetes two years ago, but a recent severe diabetic seizure made her parents realize just how much she needed extra help.

Allison’s mother, Laura said, “She had her first diabetic seizure around Christmas time and that really convinced us we needed to do something more for her.  We had no idea what to expect and it was really scary for our family.”

So after researching the possibility, Allison was put on a waiting list for a diabetic alert dog.

Allison's parents say they chose a poodle so that other kids at school will not have any allergy problems. Now after only five days with her dog, the family says Keony can already detect abnormal levels.

Allison said, “He will eat my hair if I'm high and he will either lick me or paw at me if I'm low.”

Trainers say most of the time, the alert dogs can detect a drop in levels even before the glucose monitor will.

For Allison’s mom Laura, Keony is the security she needs to help keep her daughter's levels stable: “I can let my daughter have some independence it's a great blessing to have these dogs and I can actually sleep through the night knowing that she's going to be safe”

Currently, there are only a few groups in the United States that are training assistance dogs to sense hypoglycemia.

For more information on service dogs click here or call the Delta Society at (425) 679-5500.