While service dogs help improve the lives of those with disabilities, one service dog has made a huge impact in a teenage boy's life.
Mason Gareis, 15, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 9 years old.
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"It was extremely hard doing this by myself, I have been a single mom," Mason's mother, Hollie Smith, said. "We had to account for every single piece of food or liquid that went into Mason's mouth, there was no such things as being able to sleep."
Two years ago, the family received a black Labrador named Abel whose task was to help Mason with his diabetes.
Abel is trained to detect sugar levels and alert the teenager when it is time to check his levels.
A dog has an acute sense of smell, which can discover blood sugars through someone's pores.
Abel begins to whine and pant to let Mason know his blood sugar is off.
"I'm able to breathe a little easier at night knowing Mason has Abel to be his friend, his guardian he watches over him at night, it gives us all a sense of peace," Smith said.
For more information go to SDWR.org.