LE ROY — Several Le Roy townspeople are helping raise funds for 7-year-old Kyla Lankton, who has a new companion to help her battle with type I diabetes. KOREY LANKTON is a physical education teacher and football and basketball coach at Southern Coffey County.
Lankton, a second-grade student at Southern Coffey County Elementary School, was diagnosed about a year ago. Her body no longer produces insulin. She must wear an insulin pump 24 hours a day, and closely monitor her diet and activity levels.
Her blood sugar level must be monitored constantly.
That’s where a new, four-legged tool enters the picture.
Kyla’ parents, Korey and Lacy, recently acquired Arley, a 2-year-old female yellow Labrador, trained to detect through her keen sense of smell a person’s blood sugar level .
The Lanktons picked up Arley earlier this month from the Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education and Services (CARES) program in Concordia.
Arley’s ability to detect Kyla’s blood sugar level is much less intrusive than an electronic glucose monitor, “which is painful to check,” Korey Lankton said.
If Arley senses Kyla’s blood sugar level has changed, she will begin licking Kyla’s face as a warning that she needs to check her blood.
“She’s a remarkable dog,” Kyla’s father said, “and they bonded almost instantly.”
The Lanktons were on a waiting list for more than a year before acquiring Arley. They read about the CARES program while Kyla was in the hospital at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, Mo., in July 2012, shortly after her diagnosis.
Arley accompanies Kyla everywhere. The dog’s jacket serves as an indicator to others that she is a service animal, and thus should be allowed access to restaurants, stores, airplanes, even school.
Arley spent the first year of her life learning social skills by CARES staffers. Later she was trained by inmates at Ellsworth Correctional Facility, who taught her to obey commands.
Now, at the young age 2, she has become a guardian for Kyla.
He and his wife make monthly payments to their bank to pay for Arley.
To help defray the cost of the dog, The Smilin’ Thru 4-H Club is hosting a fundraiser. Both Kyla and her big sister, Kyanna, are members of the club.
Several around town have donated items for a drawing, including a processed beef from Greg and Penny Gleue, a one-year shellac certificate to Tiff’s Tips and Toes, gift card to the Sunflower Cafe, a lap quilt donated by Kay Lankton, a certificate to Pizza Parlor, a gift card from True’s Hardware, a holiday wreath donated by Angel Lankton, and several other items.
Footballs autographed by high-school and middle-school athletes also will be given away as drawing prizes.
The drawing will be at Southern Coffey County High’s last home football game of the season Oct. 31
Gunlock and Gleue Designs also is selling “Kyla’s Guardian” T-shirts for a $10 donation.
Those interested in contributing may make checks payable to Smilin’ Thru 4-H and sent to Marie Lehmann, 2015 Fifth Road SE, Le Roy, KS 66857.
“The community’s response has been humbling,” Korey said. “Their help has really been a stress-reliever for our family.”
More than man’s best friend
