Dogs being trained to assist diabetic patients

INDIANAPOLIS --  Pete is not an ordinary dog. He is one of many dogs being trained to detect low blood sugar attacks in diabetic patients.

Low blood sugar can cause a person to suddenly pass out. In severe cases, death can even occur.

"A dog is ten thousand times more sensitive to smell then we are," Dr. Dana Hardin, a dog handler, said. "They have an entire chamber of receptors in their nose just for smell."

The training programs is funded by the Indianapolis Canine Assistant Network and Eli Lilly.

The dogs are also taught to detect changes in a person's body chemistry.