Diabetes is the cause of more deaths each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined, but there aren’t many diabetes alert dogs in the U.S. that are trained to smell changes in body chemistry. They’re expensive to train, but after several near-death experiences, 44-year-old Trevor Jordan decided a service dog was the way to go.

“He's trained to smell blood sugars when they're too high or too low,” said Jordan.

Jordan has had diabetes since he was 14.

“I developed something called hypoglycemic unawareness,” explained Jordan. “That's when you can't feel your blood sugar dropping. A low blood sugar you can die within an hour.”

So, Jordan decided to get a dog after several near-death experiences in which he drifted into unconsciousness while sleeping. His dog, Boss, is trained to smell a change in blood sugar, and he can wake Jordan or other family members immediately.

“He's never been wrong,” Jordan said.

Boss isn’t covered by insurance, but Jordan believes a $10,000 price tag is worth it.

“He is saving my life and a lot of sleepless nights for my family,” said Jordan.

Jordan and his wife have started a non-profit organization to help raise money for other diabetics to get the same kinds of service dogs. Click here for a link to the organization’s website, www.missiondad.com .