When Seconds Matter, a Dog Can Make the Difference
Medical conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, epilepsy, cardiac disorders, migraines, and severe allergies can escalate quickly and unpredictably. A well-trained medical alert dog can detect subtle body or scent changes before you feel symptoms, giving you time to act — and in some cases, saving your life.
At Canine Evolutions, Cynologist Bart de Gols and his team use cutting-edge scent detection science and neuroscience-based training to teach dogs to recognize life-threatening changes and respond reliably, even in distracting real-world settings.
Conditions Medical Alert Dogs Commonly Assist With
Our programs are always customized, but most medical alert dogs are trained for one or more of the following:
Diabetic Alert — Detect and alert to low or high blood sugar before you feel symptoms.
Seizure Response & Alert — Warn of impending seizures when possible, or respond after an episode by seeking help or retrieving medication.
Cardiac & Blood Pressure Events — Recognize changes that may precede fainting or cardiac distress.
Severe Allergies & Anaphylaxis — Alert when allergens are present or when reactions begin.
Migraine & Neurological Episode Alert — Detect scent or behavioral changes before severe migraines or other neurological events.
Your dog is trained for your specific condition and lifestyle — no cookie-cutter protocols.
How Our Training Works
Olfactory Science: Dogs have over 220 million scent receptors and can detect changes in body chemistry far earlier than humans can. We pair those changes with clear, reliable alert behaviors.
Task Reliability: We teach the dog to perform specific, unmistakable alerts (pawing, nudging, fetching a medical kit, activating help devices) and ensure consistency through thousands of proofing repetitions.
Public Access & Real-World Training: Dogs learn to alert discreetly in restaurants, workplaces, and public transit so you can stay safe anywhere.
Handler Education: We teach you to read early signals, maintain the dog’s alerting accuracy, and integrate the tasks seamlessly into daily life.
Program Roadmap
Initial Evaluation — Understand your medical condition, triggers, and daily environment. Assess your current dog or help you select the right candidate.
Foundation Skills — Engagement, stability, and calm focus in distracting environments.
Scent & Symptom Training — Pairing your unique biological changes with an alert signal and proofing for reliability.
Response Tasks — Retrieving medication, bringing help, activating alarms, deep pressure therapy if needed.
Public Access Proofing — Practicing alerts and responses everywhere life takes you.
Handler Transfer & Lifetime Support — Transition training to you and provide ongoing guidance.
Most programs require 12–18 months, depending on complexity and the dog’s starting skill set.
Investment & Tax Information
Medical alert dog training is a specialized, life-saving investment. Programs at Canine Evolutions typically range from $30,000 to $60,000+, depending on tasks and medical complexity. According to IRS Publication 502, medical alert dog training and related expenses are generally tax deductible when prescribed to assist with a diagnosed disability.
Why Canine Evolutions?
Proven Success: Our dogs have reliably alerted to life-threatening episodes in real homes, workplaces, and public spaces.
Science-Based Training: We combine olfactory conditioning with neuroscience and behavior shaping for maximum reliability.
Customization: Every program is built around your specific diagnosis and lifestyle — no generic “alert dog” training.
Ongoing Partnership: Lifetime support and advanced handler coaching after graduation.
Take the First Step
Your health deserves reliable protection. A medical alert dog can provide early warning, life-saving intervention, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
📞 Call 360-469-3171