LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A local priest known for random acts of kindness will purchase a Diabetic Alert Dog for a Dunbar graduate in need.
Katie Hoffmann graduated from Dunbar in 2019 where she was active in multiple organizations at the school including drama, choir and the German honor society. She also managed to get good grades all while fighting a battle against juvenile diabetes (also known as Type 1 Diabetes).
Hoffmann was diagnosed with diabetes when she was 9.
Hoffmann attends the University of Louisville, but she has found her illness to be difficult to manage in a city an hour-and-a-half away from her parents. Earlier this week, she went to bed and her blood sugar dropped in the middle of the night. She was unable to wake herself up and Hoffmann's mother was getting ready to call paramedics to intervene.
After that close call, Hoffmann had decided to crowdsource to certify and purchase a service dog. Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to alert their owners when their blood sugar dips or spikes.
"In my time of being in college, there have been many times where I’ve been alone and trying to handle low and high blood sugar," writes Hoffmann. "While these may seem like normal things I have to deal with daily, there are certain times where these things are scary and I can’t handle them by myself. Having this dog would allow me to be in college and feel safe and healthy while studying to the best of my ability!"
Father Jim Sichko, a local priest and missionary of mercy saw the story on LEX 18 News and has offered to purchase the dog for Katie. The cost will go to the training and certification of the dog.
Hoffmann is pursuing a career in nursing to help others like herself, who suffer from chronic illness.
