Having a trained dog in your life opens your eyes to just how unbelievably smart and intuitive they really are.
We often don’t give dogs enough credit—they have this amazing ability to pick up on things we might completely miss. With their sharp instincts and heightened senses, they can sometimes detect issues even faster than high-tech machines.
While we rely on devices to monitor the little things, dogs seem to simply know. It’s pretty incredible when you stop and think about it.
One family in Ohio learned this in the most unforgettable way. When they welcomed their service dog, Kona, into their lives, they knew he’d be helpful—but they had no idea just how much of a difference he’d make.
The Goodest Boy, Indeed
Kona isn’t just any dog—he’s exceptionally smart. One of the main reasons the Berce family brought him into their home was to help monitor their young daughter’s blood sugar levels.
Lindsey Berce’s six-year-old daughter has type 1 diabetes, and Kona was specially trained to alert the family if her blood sugar dropped too low—or spiked too high.
Not only was Kona perfectly suited for the job, but he quickly became a beloved member of the family. Calm, obedient, and affectionate, he got along with everyone—and he was always watching over Lindsey’s daughter, even when it wasn’t absolutely necessary.
His usual way of alerting them? Gently placing a paw on her leg to let them know something was off.
One day, Kona noticed a change—but instead of alerting the child, he turned to Lindsey and locked eyes with her. At first, she wasn’t sure what was going on. Why was he staring so intently?
Then it clicked—he was trying to get her attention. Her daughter’s blood sugar was changing, and Kona was waiting for the adults to respond.
Luckily, nothing urgent happened at that moment—but the family was reminded yet again of just how disciplined and tuned-in Kona really is.
Although Lindsey’s daughter wears a glucose monitor, it turns out Kona is often faster than the device itself. Incredible, right?
A Viral, Heartwarming Moment
Lindsey often shares snippets of her life and Kona’s work on TikTok, so naturally, she recorded and posted this moment, too.
The video quickly went viral, earning over a million views—and the numbers keep growing. Viewers were amazed to see just how effective dogs can be in detecting medical emergencies.
One viewer commented:
“I’m a T1, and this just blows my mind. I had a really bad low one time and my cat appeared and sat right in my face until it came back up.”
Turns out, some cats might have the same instinct!
Another added:
“Me: cheese isn’t a great choice for low blood sugar… ohhhh it’s a GREAT choice for the blood sugar alert system!!”
Of course, a dog as dedicated as Kona deserves a tasty reward now and then. After all, he’s doing some truly life-saving work.
And someone else asked:
“Has Kona ever detected another diabetic with low blood sugar?”
Lindsey responded that yes, he has—and on more than one occasion. His abilities go beyond just his own family.
Kona is clearly more than just a service dog—he’s a loyal friend, a protector, and an extraordinary helper. This Ohio family couldn’t be luckier to have him by their side.