Finn spends a lot of time on campus. He naps daily and consistently eats peanut butter by itself. However, Finn is neither student nor faculty. Finn is a British Labrador and is part of Wildrose Kennels’ Diabetic Alert Dog program.
Wildrose Kennels trains dogs to recognize scent patterns in their human companions that mark either a high or low glucose level, according to descriptions of the Diabetic Alert Dog program published to the Kennel’s website.
Finn accompanies University of Mississippi Facilities Projects and Space Management Coordinator Dave LaBanc to his office, meetings and various job sites. He is responsible for alerting Dave when his blood sugar level becomes high or low. LaBanc then rewards Finn with a scoop from his jar of peanut butter for a successful alert.
Junior nutrition and dietetics major Gracie Hanks acquired her first diabetic alert dog, Garbo, when she was 15 years old. Hanks noted that keeping people from feeding Garbo was the most difficult aspect of living with her in Crosby Hall.
“Food is how they are treated for alerting, so when they receive food elsewhere it interferes with their training,” Hanks said.
LaBanc said managing Finn’s interactions with other people is one of the biggest challenges in his training.
LaBanc volunteered to help with Finn’s training in January, after his wife,Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Brandi Hephner LaBanc, met Wildrose owners Mike and Cathy Stewart at a dinner honoring UPD staff and retirees.
Wildrose tasks local Type 1 diabetic volunteers with proofing the dogs. After an alert dog has been through obedience, scent, and public access training, it lives with a Type 1 diabetic.
Though the “Wildrose Way” focuses on obedience and functionality, Finn’s personality shone through in the interview with LaBanc. Finn had no trouble remaining in his designated space, but paid little attention to the bright orange border on his mat as he lay sprawled across the clearly marked boundary.
Hanks reflected on the difference in personality in her past two canine companions. Hanks acquired Garbo as well as another dog, Flay, from CARES, a canine assistance program in Concordia, Kan.
“Each dog has a different personality. Garbo, who lived in the dorms, was sassy and petite and very princess-like,” Hanks said. “She was perfect for sorority girls. Flay was very cuddly and loving. He wasn’t quite as sassy or determined as Garbo.”
According to LaBanc, Finn accompanies him nearly everywhere. He did mention that he had not yet taken Finn to any black tie affairs, thinking his blonde fur might be a problem.
“You literally try to expose them to every human situation that you possibly can, at least that’s my goal.”
— Drew Jansen
ajjansen@go.olemiss.edu
