At the age of three, Alena Hughes was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Determining the moment when the child's condition is about to worsen, the girl is helped by her friend and, in the literal sense of the word, the savior Labrador Maisie.

As soon as the dog feels a disturbing smell, it warns Alena by nudging her. Thus, the girl knows that she needs to take medicine to normalize her blood sugar.

Labrador Maisie is specially trained at Medical Detection Dogs, where the dog was taught to distinguish a smell that warns of an exacerbation of the disease, and to react accordingly, warning the girl of danger.

“Maisie is an indispensable assistant for Alena. We trust Maisie 100 percent. Alena always goes everywhere with her. Maisie looks up and sniffs the air. Alena knows exactly what she has to do when Maisie gives the sign to take her medication. If Maisie sees that Alena has not taken her medicine, she comes and tells me, so I know that Alena needs help” - says Alena’s mother.