There's nothing quite like a bright sunny day to get your hands dirty at MUSC's Urban Farm.

That's what patients of the Pediatric Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic found Aug. 25 when they attended an hour-long, hands-on learning activity led by groundskeeper Jane Anne Madden. The event was part of a series of support group meet ups for children living with diabetes and their families.

A very special participant was Sprinkels, a diabetes alert dog, who accompanied her owner, 7-year-old Kate Hanchon. Sprinkels, whose uniquely-spelled name was selected by her young owner, is trained to alert Kate's parents when she is experiencing low or high blood sugar. Sprinkels can alert caregivers before they begin to notice some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

Seven-year-old Kate Hanchon with Sprinkels

Diabetes alert dogs are so highly trained that they can detect when their companion is beginning a blood sugar high or low 40 minutes before the companion begins to exhibit symptoms. The dogs have a 99 percent detection rate and cost $19,000. The high cost is due to the training the dog receives and continues to receive after it is matched with a family.

Katherine Nashatker, a pediatric endocrine dietitian and outpatient nutrition manager in the Pediatric Endocrinology clinic, said the morning was a success in many ways.

Children planted lima beans, scouted through vegetation to point out their favorite vegetables and took home seedlings that they planted in individual seed pots during the visit. As the children were seen playing and enjoying hands-on work in the urban farm, their parents got a chance to network and share ideas about caring for their children who have Type 1 diabetes.

Social worker Jessica Credeur joined Nashatker for the educational session, with the two fielding questions and reinforcing learning concepts taught in the clinic, such as carbohydrate counting.

"Often times the social groups are an outlet for parents to network, to discuss the frustrations of high and low blood sugars, to learn about other children's insulin pumps, and to feel that they are not alone in the ongoing process that is managing a child with diabetes," said Credeur. "Many parents communicate with one another in between social groups, forming their own play dates or support networks outside of the clinic."

MUSC's Urban Farm garden educator Jane Anne Madden, right, helps children enjoy gardening.

Credeur said they want to give parents as much support as they can.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires daily medical and nutrition management. For many parents, the concept of giving their child multiple daily insulin injections is overwhelming, especially in young elementary school age children, she said.

The event also gave parents a chance to see Sprinkels in action.

Since Kate's diagnosis two years ago, her parents have been fearful of allowing her to sleep alone, with the concern that her blood sugar will drop too low in the middle of the night. For the first time in years, Kate slept alone in her bedroom with Sprinkels by her side, and her parents had newfound confidence and comfort in her new companion's ability to help keep her healthy and safe.

Most families who desire alert dogs participate in fundraising and community awareness events to raise sufficient funds for a dog for their child.

After Kate's family raised sufficient funds for their own dog, they began fundraising for a second dog for another patient. They formed a non-profit agency (A Dog for Kate) to continue efforts to raise money for alert dogs for local patients. They have seen the difference in their own lives since obtaining Sprinkels and want to pay it forward to the community, said Credeur.

Want More Info About Sprinkels and Pals?
To learn more about their organization or the agency that trains diabetes alert dogs, visit http://www.adogforkate.com and http://www.warrenretrievers.com.

For information on MUSC's Pediatric Endocrinology, visit http://clinicaldepartments.musc.edu/pediatrics/divisions/endocrinology/index.htm.