Our Story

Since 2004, Dogs4Diabetics (D4D) has created life-saving partnerships for insulin-dependent diabetics. As the first service dog provider in the world dedicated to this population, D4D petitioned the Department of Justice to include the term medical alert dog under Service Dogs in the Americans With Disabilities Act.  D4D was also the first service dog provider for insulin-dependent diabetics accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI). Our first life-saving partnership—between D4D founder Mark Ruefenacht and his yellow Labrador Retriever, Armstrong—is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first dog in the world trained to alert to blood sugar changes in diabetics.

Our Vision

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored what we have long known—that the need for highly trained medical alert dogs and skilled canine support has never been greater. In response, we expanded our services beyond our foundational programs, broadening access to medical alert dogs and related training to support individuals with complex medical, neurological, and mental health needs. With this growth came a name that reflects our expanded scope and leadership in the field: The National Institute of Canine Service and Training (NICST). Today, we continue to respond to our community with innovation and purpose, helping people move beyond survival toward stability, independence, and the ability to thrive in daily life and at their fullest potential.

Evidence-Based Innovation

With science and rigorous standards at our core, NICST is focused on advancing the future of canine training through statistically sound, evidence-based methods. Our programs are informed by data collection, measurable outcomes, and continuous evaluation to ensure reliability, consistency, and real-world impact. We know what these remarkable animals can achieve in partnership with people and science, and by applying research-driven practices to medical alert dog training, NICST is paving a future defined by improved health outcomes, independence, hope, and overall wellness.