Our Story

For over 15 years, Dogs4Diabetics (D4D) created life-saving partnerships for insulin-dependent diabetics. D4D was proud to be the first service dog provider for insulin-dependent diabetics accredited by Assistance Dogs International. Our first life-saving partnership, between D4D founder Mark Ruefenacht and his yellow Labrador Retriever, Armstrong, is also recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first dog trained to alert for blood sugar changes in diabetics.

Our Vision

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed what we have long known– that people need our dogs now more than ever. Once again, we responded to the needs of our community, expanding our programs in order to help more people transform their lives from surviving to thriving, from the day-to-day to their fullest selves.

Future Forward

With science and standards at our core, we are focused on the future of canine training. We know what these amazing animals can do in partnership with people and science, and NICST is paving a future of hope and wellness.