Team Leo: Let's Educate Others, Penney- Medical Alert Dog

Team Leo wants to be an ambassadors for service dogs and T1 Diabetes. My Story---
I remember clearly waking up on November 23, 2011. This is stupid!

I remember it like yesterday and many times, I wish to forget that day. It was a cool Wednesday morning and the start of Thanksgiving Break so I slept in until about 8 am. After I woke up, I then called the doctor to set up an appointment. Being a teenager, I wanted to hang out with friends later that day so I scheduled for the first open appointment. Little did I know that the call I just finishe

d would change my life forever. I was just being a normal high school student with my “teenager” priorities. It was a normal fall day so I dressed in my track sweats, one of my Central tees to match and my purple North Face sweatshirt. I skipped breakfast because I was being lazy and did not want to cook. Last time I ate was 16 hours earlier so I felt starved but decided that I would be okay since I would only be gone for less than an hour. I thought about getting a coffee but I figured that it would not look good going into the doctor’s office. On my drive over to the office I was planning my day. As I sat in the waiting room I was dying of thirst. I felt like I had not had water in days. I finally got called back and they did their normal routine. Check temp, height and weight ... I only weighed 98 lbs. At 5' 1" and being 18, I clearly knew I needed to weigh more. I spoke with the doctor and told her "I am tired of being tired, hungry, thirsty, moody, and ALWAYS going to the bathroom." I explained how I had bathroom breaks about every 30 minutes and was drinking over 30 big bottles of water a day if not more. My doctor gave me a look; a look I have never seen. It was a look of worry and concern. Her eyes went down and then up, up right into my eyes. At that moment I knew I was going to hear something I would not want to hear. "Um, You ...You, Anna, you sound like a textbook case of Type 1 Diabetes but I don't know for sure." If only you could be a fly on that wall. I looked at her and thought so many things... "Why Me?" What I do? Why did I come? She is crazy!” The list went on... I cried and laughed at the same time. It felt like I was in a movie. I felt like someone said imagine if you had cancer or something extreme. I attempted to run out of the room but the doctor blocked me and told me everything would be alright. They took blood but it was not coming back fast enough so I was then pricked for the first time. "OW!" I looked down to see the number in the high 400's. I asked if that was good. The nurse never answered. A minute later, the doctor came in; it was official. I was a Type 1 Diabetic. I was then told that I need to give them my parents’ phone numbers. I refused and told them, “I am fine; I am going home because I can fix this. I won’t give them to you.” With some convincing the doctor’s office received my parents’ numbers. Not even an hour later, I then was checked into the hospital. Here I realized that for at least 2 months I had shown signs, strong signs. During that time something bad could have happened. I was lucky and blessed. If I waited to go after Thanksgiving things could have been different. In my three years of being diagnosed, I have been in the hospital several times, twice in ICU. I have had A1C as high as 14 and blood sugars as low as 14. My best A1C was 7.9. It has been not easy but was rewarding to hear that my A1C is getting better.

>>>>I wanted a D.A.D (Diabetic Alert Dog) for many reasons.

02/03/2024

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with Phoenix Academy Omaha students. It was special to get up and share the message of service dogs and diabetes with Penney for the first time. There were so many amazing questions about Penney's role and tasks.

Education on disabilities is important no matter the age. These students make me proud to know our future is willing to learn about the diversity of the world. I love being able to provide a safe place for individuals to ask questions they might not be able to otherwise.

Thank you to Phoenix Academy for having Penney and I and joining my army to spread our mission- "Operation LEO- Let's Educate Others".

26/02/2024

Happy Monday! I am partnering, as well as some of my other co-workers, with Open Hearts on a topic dear to my heart.

Mental health and su***de are not fun topics, but they are so important to discuss.

This month I have already walked 65 miles/58 miles to raise awareness and will keep this going strong until end of month!

If you are able to, please donate a few dollars to support people who are experiencing thoughts of su***de, those who engage in self-harm, and those bereaved by su***de.

Thank you and we appreciate all your support!
With Love, Anna and Penney

Run 58 Miles in February 2024 Help Anna Di Ruocco raise money to support Pieta

22/08/2023

I look at the clock and realize it is almost 1am and I am having a horrible allergy attack. It is 5 hours until my next back procedure- this is my 4th procedure in a year.

I am now worried my blood sugar will crash which is a problem since I can’t eat beforehand. This year, I have had knee surgeries, neurology appointments, a horrible infection to start the list.

But you know what helps to make it better is this little chocolate chip. Penney and I really bonded on our girls trip in March from there it has grown so much.

This week she has been clingy- which if you knew Penney before she was an independent diva. This diva is now my shadow. She waits outside the shower and tub for me. She waits for me to invite her to bed. Penney is by the door when I step outside for the mail. Penney knows when we walk to my office and when we leave it for the day. Penney wants to sleep on my feet when I am working and not just her bed.

She does all her tasks well but the one task she wasn’t taught was to be my new best friend. I was blessed once with this bond but to have it twice makes me not feel so alone at this early hour.

Thank you everyone who got Penney here. Penney- you are the angel I needed.

05/02/2023

365 days ago life changed. To honor Leo’s service, our local Lowe's Home Improvement gave Leo a beautiful shout out for all his hard work hours before he passed. Most don’t know but Leo worked until the last minute he passed away from his last seizure. His dedication and love was so deep. Thank you Leo. I love and miss you daily.

Penney works so hard to fill your big paws. 💙💜

Photos from Team Leo: Let's Educate Others, Penney- Medical Alert Dog's post

24/01/2023

3 months and 3 days that Penney has officially been with me. She has learned so much about me. She knows that in the morning as I brush my teeth, she gets her water. She knows our commute is to the other side of the house where she sits by my feet or watches me work all day. She knows to stay quiet unless it is time to tell me something important.

She knows that some days I can’t play as much so she naps as I can a bath 🛁 or watches a show that evening from her bed.

Penney has determined that every time I workout my blood sugar plummets. Penney has gathered that her favorite reward is me singing “I like big butts” as I scratch her rump. We have started to find our rhythm.

Penney is still a wild girl who likes to play in mud but she is so happy to never be alone.

As we approach almost a year with Leo gone, it seems to hurt a little less. I might not have my big boy but I have such a pretty little girl.

Coco Chanel, Pen Pen, Princess Penney, Penelope, my chocolate sweetie, Pen - thank you for becoming my new bestie. We are the double trouble that Brad wasn’t prepared for.

09/11/2022

Our Monday night didn’t go as planned. I had a bad dizzy spell and fell when Brad was at work. I hit my head twice. Brad knew the symptoms and was worried I had a concussion. Welp, he was right. We are monitoring me and have a follow up this week.

I am thankful for Penney staying by my side. She has now checked hospital stay off her list.

Good job Penney!

04/11/2022

Only 2 weeks after graduation and Penney nailed her first trip. Penney made it look like she had been through security 100s of times. Her first flight she was unsure but the second flight she realized napping on the plane is the best.

Great job Penney! It is amazing to see how fast she is figuring out everything. The coolest part is it was just the two of us- no help from my husband, family or friends. We are really finding the groove to become one.

Penney is able to bring piece of mind to my love ones and provide me with independence.

Southwest Airlines Pups with a Purpose

02/11/2022

Want to learn how Penney does her job for alerting to my blood sugars?

Here is the a link to a video that my friend made. Can you catch the shout of to Team Leo: let’s educate others?!

Scent Sense - What does Archer Smell? This video explains how dogs smell and what Archer is smelling when he alerts to my type one diabetes. TikTok: .a.squaredInstagram: .a.squared

27/10/2022

When your momma is taking a bubble bath but you are trying to alert but can’t boop her leg.… your problem solve. Good alert Penney 💜

25/10/2022

Yesterday, at my first doctor appointment, I alerted my girl not once but twice. Anna loved her new primary doctor too. Double win.
Today is the first day at the office (wfh) and Anna’s sugars have been good so far.

This service dog thing is easy. 💜 Penney

24/10/2022

Nebraska will always be Penney and Anna’s home. HOMAHA ❤️

24/10/2022

We want to start off by thanking everyone who made Penney’s journey possible. This community has supported in so many ways. It means so much to me to receive words of encouragement and continued love.

Every day I hope to make you all proud. I know Penney will help to keep me healthy and safe. She will also be a great ambassador as we continue help others and educate about service dogs, diabetes and disabilities.

Continue to follow along to see all the amazing things Penney will do!

23/10/2022

Penney became official. Happy Graduation Penney!!

19/08/2022

It has been really hard since leaving Penney in June. I don’t talk much about her or Leo but every day I think about how Leo would have loved XYZ and how I will do ABC with Penney. Penney’s trainer has amazing timing for sending updates. Penney is improving so much every day. It is crazy to think in 2 months I will driving back to Nebraska to get my girl officially.

03/08/2022

Today I am on an Allyship in Action Panel and this my first speaking event without Leo.

He is forever in our hearts. I can’t wait for Penney to be by my side.

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365 days ago life changed. To honor Leo’s service, our local Lowe's Home Improvement gave Leo a beautiful shout out for ...

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