Norwich welcomes service dog on campus

Norwich has a new permanent guest on campus, in the form of a service animal. Ian Sellers, an 18-year-old freshman mechanical engineering major from Germany, says Tucker serves him well by monitoring his blood sugar level.

"Tucker can smell the change in my blood glucose by smelling the key tones in my blood sugar levels," said Sellers.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a service animal has been trained to provide assistance or perform tasks for the benefit of someone with a physical or mental disability.

Dogs like Tucker can sense low blood sugar levels with 90 percent accuracy. They can sniff out these drops in blood sugar levels by detecting changes in their person's scent; however, it is unknown exactly what the dogs detect in a diabetes case, according to Sellers.

Tucker was trained in Oklahoma and taught to sniff out the smell of Seller's low blood sugar by practicing with his sock. One of Seller's socks worn while having a drop in blood-sugar levels was taken to a lab, where the smell of this sock could broken into small pieces. Tucker was asked to sniff out the sock with the low blood sugar levels.

"When there is a spike in my blood-sugar levels, Tucker will paw at my hand and I will know to check my sugar levels," Sellers said.

According to veterinarian scientists and service animal trainers, the dog picks up the scent of lows and highs in blood-sugar levels from his owner's sweat.

Ian has had specific training with Tucker, and can function with him daily with no problem whatsoever.

When he was 13, Sellers was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and cannot join the military. It was difficult for him because he comes from a military family, and serving has always been a dream of his.

Sellers wants to be in the corps of cadets, and hopes to do so next year. This year is a test run to see how things work with Tucker on campus.

Sellers says the dog does not debilitate him physically, and he can pass the Army APFT, run, and workout in his free time.

Many students support Sellers having a dog on campus.

Stephanie Ulrich, a 20-year-old junior architecture major from Dillsburg, Pa., said, "I'm pro-dog, and have a Golden Retriever at home, just like the one walking around campus."

"Would I mind the dog being near me in class?" said Ulrich. "No, but I would certainly have to pet it!"

"I have no problem with the dog walking around campus," said John Powers, a 20-year-old political science major from Westhampton Beach, N.Y. "In fact, I think we should have more dogs on campus because when I see a four-legged furry creature walking around, a cheerful side of me perks up."

"I'm glad the person with the service dog has the guts to step up and get the help he needs, because I know that a lot of students on other campuses are not getting the help they need," said Courtney Williamson, a 20-year-old junior international studies major with a minor in Chinese from Tennessee.

"Certain (visually) handicapped people cannot always walk in a straight line, and these dogs can help guide them in the right direction," said Williamson.

Not only is the dog serving an important purpose for its owner, but it is also adding color and warmth to the stressful campus environment, according to some students.

"Look at that dog walking around campus, and tell me how many people you see smiling when they pass by it," said Williamson.

"'Why does this student have a dog on campus?'" asked Mitch Przybocki, a 19-year-old sophomore communications major from Pine Bush, N.Y. "I thought, this guy isn't even trying to hide his pet, just strolling into the chow hall with it!"

"It caused such a stir at the football table one day, and then finally someone spoke up and told me he had diabetes, and that this dog can sense his blood sugar levels," said Przybocki.

Seeing how well-behaved Tucker is has prompted some students to think that pets should be allowed on campus under the right circumstances.

"This campus is such a stressful environment, and a pet can have such a huge impact on staying relaxed," said Powers.

Many students admit they love seeing a happy-go-lucky golden retriever walking around campus.

"We are at a school of pet-deprived people, students are dying to pet a dog," said Ulrich.