About Us

The Armstrong Project, now formally known as Dogs4Diabetics, Inc. began almost seven years ago, when the founder, Mark R., began researching the possibility of training dogs to detect type 1 diabetes-related hypoglycemia and physically alert the diabetic to the impending hypoglycemia.

In October 2003, Armstrong was obtained from Guide Dogs for the Blind and the scent and alert training was started. Armstrong enjoyed his new "career" and was soon alerting on diabetic-related hypoglycemia.

In October 2004, Dogs For Diabetics, Inc. was formally incorporated in the State of California and applied for nonprofit status. The IRS granted 501(c) nonprofit status in early 2005.

Today, our dogs are obtained primarily from Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, California and retrained for diabetic alert work. We have also obtained a dog from Genesis Services of Boise, Idaho. Dogs4Diabetics also works closely with Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut Creek, California. A Golden Retriever, Cody, was obtained from a private donation to our program.

When we receive our dogs for diabetic alert training, they've already been professionally trained and socialized as assistance dogs from the time they are 8 weeks old.

All of our dogs reside in local foster care homes. Foster care providers bring the dogs to Dogs4Diabetics each day for training. In the evening, our foster care providers socialize the dogs in the local community.

Watch our 5-minute video and find out more about Dogs4Diabetics!

About Armstrong

Armstrong is a 4 year-old male yellow Labrador Retriever. Armstrong was obtained in October 2003 from Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. to begin training as a hypoglycemia-alert dog.

Armstrong has an excellent nose that gives him the ability to smell the chemicals emitted by a diabetic handler that begins to experience hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).

Armstrong has traveled extensively throughout the United States with his diabetic partner. He also enjoys working with juvenile diabetics at the Diabetic Youth Foundation camps.

Armstrong resides in the San Francisco East Bay area.