Melissa Wilson, a teacher at Idyllwild Arts Academy for the past 12 years, has a daughter, Amara, 14, with Type 1 diabetes. Amara has had the disease since age 2-1/2. Mother and daughter, who live on campus, are raising funds to for a diabetes alert service dog to help keep Amara safe and healthier overall.

These dogs are trained like FBI drug-detecting dogs but, instead, detect blood sugar levels. The dog will alert Amara before she hits dangerous levels.

The family needs to raise $9,000. For more information, view Amara’s video at www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/a-life-saving-diabetic-alert-dog-for-amara/76791 or email Wilson at [email protected].