After collecting pennies for the last four years, a boy finally gets to meet his service dog.
Aiden Health, 8, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 3 years old. After he learned how dogs can sense when sugar levels are getting low in those with diabetes, he made it his mission to get a pup of his own.
But with each service dog costing about $15,000, it was going to take awhile for Aiden to get his dog. Still, it didn’t deter him.
For the next couple of years, he would collect one penny at time, putting them in his red wagon he called “Brinks,” according to ABC News. He wouldn’t ask for birthday gifts, buy toys or try to save for Disney. All he wanted was a dog.
In April, he was still $9,000 short but thank to local middle coverage, telling the world about Aiden’s story, his family was able to raise $20,000 practically overnight.
They were now able to buy a service dog named Angel, who they had been keeping their eye on. Angel, a chocolate Labrador, came from Nevada and since April had been in training, to help people like Aiden. To begin the connection, they mailed Aiden’s scent to Angel at Diabetic Alert Dogs of America.
Yesterday, Angel met Aiden for the first time. While a trainer is helping the two get acclimated, it sounds like they are off to a good start.
“Aiden is over the moon,” Jenni Heath told ABC News. “He was on pins and needles waiting for her.”
