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Helping Paws Academy

Dash Can Do It: Taking on Diabetes

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New from Mayo Clinic Press Kids’ Helping Paws Academy series , Dash Can Do It follows a facility dog who helps a child with diabetes.

This inviting chapter book series explores health topics through the friendly lens of facility dogs. Follow an adorable facility dog helping a child through a diagnosis of diabetes, with strong messages of empathy, kindness, and courage. Facility dogs are specially trained to help kids through medical experiences—from lifting spirits, motivating movement, modeling the power of play, and more. Nonfiction back matter provides more information about medical topics introduced in the books, from acute to chronic issues, while also providing more information about facility dog programs and the Mayo Clinic Children's Center.

Mayo Clinic Press Kids creates empowering health and wellness content in partnership with pediatric experts. Proceeds from the sale of every book go to benefit important medical research and education at Mayo Clinic.

80 pages, Paperback

Published August 8, 2023

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About the author

Pat McCaw

12 books1 follower

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Sonja Charters.
2,734 reviews140 followers
September 5, 2023
This is the sixth book I've read in The Helping Paws Academy series which follows dogs with their handlers as they visit the hospital to help comfort and motivate children who are worried about visiting hospital for either the first time or for certain procedures.

I think this one is the first in the series as we meet Dash on her very first day being a facility dog.
It's a great introduction to the job that they do and how much they've been trained for the position.

It was interesting to know that Dash isn't naturally calm and chilled and that, like her name, she's often rushing around and playing. But when it comes to being near the children in the centre, she can be trained to be calm and supportive to the patients.

In this book, Dash meets Francisco who has just been diagnosed with diabetes. Dash helps Fransisco to be calm and listen to what the condition means for him. She also shows him that taking shots or needles won't be as scary as he imagined.

I don't think I've mentioned that these books also have some lovely illustrations which help children to visualise both the dogs and the images of inside the centre.
The images are simple and plain and make it easy to see the important information from the story.

I've really enjoyed exploring this series, meeting all the facility dogs and getting information about all the conditions and children in the hospital.

An absolute must read series and a brilliant addition to all bookshelves.
Profile Image for Jess Twibey.
230 reviews24 followers
August 29, 2023
This one hits hard for me as someone who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child. My story was very different but Francisco’s dread and nerves around the condition was very relatable. Seeing representation for T1D is very uncommon in books and this was the main reason I chose to start these books, I’m glad I did as they could definitely help young kids going through similar issues or even just help them learn more about the world and how people are different but that’s okay
Profile Image for Siobhain.
997 reviews36 followers
September 4, 2023
Introduction
I was given several of the Helping Paws Academy to review for a book tour by Love Book Tours. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. I will always try to avoid spoilers in all reviews as well. #HelpingPawsAcademy #PatMcCawMD #LoveBookTours #LBTCrew #AD #BookReview

Review
The Helping Paws Academy series is a brilliant series of illustrated educational children books to help children understand various medical issues they may face either themselves or with family members. Each book explores these health topics through the lens of therapy dogs. Each chapter book follows one of the dogs of Helping Paw Academy helping children through certain obstacles with messages of empathy, kindness and courage. On top of the fictionalised story each book contains nonfiction back matter that provides more detailed information on topics introduced in the books.

I really enjoyed all of the Helping Paws academy books I have read as part of the book tour. Each one focuses on a different medical or health issue and highlights important information for younger readers in a fun and informative way. The therapy dogs personality shines through and being told from their point of view gives a comforting and childlike feeling to the writing and subject matter. I also enjoyed we get to see the doctors, nurses and of course therapy dog handlers shine through and help put the children at ease, explaining the situation to them.

On top of this the illustrations are adorable, colourful and engaging. It is nice to see the elements of the procedures in the book take place, for example in Lumos Keeps Calm we see the doctor performing the stitching helping children understand what to expect and what they might see. This pairs perfection with the added non-fiction section at the back that goes into greater detail.

In short this series is perfect and a must read for young children and families to help them gain understanding of medical and health issues they may face or be facing in the future.

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Profile Image for kirsty.
1,286 reviews86 followers
August 26, 2023
This review will be covering the next three books in this series

Cricket Helps Out: Understanding Appendicitis

Dash Can Do It: Taking On Diabetes

Lumos Keeps Calm: Dealing with Cuts and Stitches

I am so happy to see my favourite pawsome trio back helping children through some of the toughest times they will have. I have taken these three dogs to my heart where they can stay forever rent free.

These books are such an important read for children, families, care givers or anyone else coming into regular contact with children that have illnesses.
They are well written with colourful and engaging illustrations and narrative and content which is both informative with out being to over weighty and helpful.

The fact that the main characters are dogs will also help engage children and make them more relaxed and will help other children realise what their friends or family members may be going through, as these could also be helpful for children whose parents are sick too.

I used to be a paediatric nurse and there was nothing available like this before in the children's wards it was just stuffy leaflets for the parents to read and staff to help explain to children, thus these books being on wards as well would be so helpful and help alleviate family fears somewhat too.

A fantastic collection of books
521 reviews30 followers
September 5, 2023
What can I say, this lovable pup Dash is helping again, this time with diabetes. This is one of the books that I wanted to review as my granddaughter is just starting her journey and I wanted to see if this would help us. The book begins with us meeting Dash and her handler Navya, along with Cricket and her handler, Tunde and Lumos and his handler Eun Ji. On floor two we meet Francisco, 10-years-old who has type 1 diabetes and staying in hospital until his blood sugars are within the right range. I loved how through Francisco we learn about diabetes and what it means to have it and how it can be treated. Dash meets many children that day in hospital. I love how Dash shows how injection are done, this was something my granddaughter wanted to know. The back of the book has a note from Francisco and Dash, we also meet Alicia. We found this a really helpful book and would be great for all children
Profile Image for Amorina Carlton.
Author 2 books38 followers
September 19, 2023
These three books introduce us to the three stars of the Helping Paws Academy series. I would recommend that you read these ones first, before the set of three we highlighted last week, but overall it wouldn’t be devastating to read them like we presented them. They’re not horribly sequential.

I love this series so much. They are an awesome resource for parents, doctors, teachers, and anyone who works with children. Any kid who gets diabetes, appendicitis, or needs stitches would benefit from reading one of these books. Sometimes just knowing you’re not alone – even if it’s just a fictional character – can help so much. Representation really does matter!

As a parent, I wouldn’t have thought to look for resources like this, and they’re so awesome. Using a dog, which is a much-beloved animal by most children, is a great way to educate them about various illnesses and diseases in a non-threatening and engaging manner. As a parent, I really see what the Mayo Clinic Press is doing with books like this and others I’ve seen recently as a game changer. I’m so glad that they’re making these books available to kids and their families to help them navigate these various issues with more ease.

Though I have Type II, it is great to have a resource to help teach my daughter more about the disease I have in a kid-friendly way. She isn’t quite ready for the book – she’s only five – but I’m excited to have it for when she’s a little older. She got excited about the books when we got them and tried to read the cancer one with me. She’d seen a YouTube video about cancer and wanted to read more. But, it made her a little sad, so we didn’t pursue that any further. It’s nice to know we have these resources if any of these issues come up again and we can talk about how the various dogs handle it.

I found the books very simple to read, making them very appropriate for children and explaining the various health concerns in an understandable and enlightening way. I am grateful to the author, illustrator, Mayo Clinic Press, and Love Book Tours for including me in this tour, and the first week as well. You can find my review for Week One here.
Profile Image for Lauren Flewett.
489 reviews15 followers
September 5, 2023
These books are great and there should be more of these around to help children understand medical procedures and help them not to be scared.

Adding the dogs in to the story is also very appealing to children and the illustrations were great.

The notes at the end were very educational and you get to see a picture of a real facility dog - super cute!

I highly recommend these books for kids going through tough times in hospital.
Profile Image for Sheri.
1,745 reviews53 followers
September 7, 2023
Dash is new graduate of the Helping Paws Academy and today is her first day in the hospital. What I loved most about this story was it showed Dash’s worry about being a good helper and how she overcame it. Children reading this story will relate to a time they felt scared or nervous about a new activity and hopefully think of Dash can do it, so can I! The story about teaches about diabetes so anyone can understand. This is a great book and is part of an excellent series!
Profile Image for Bookish Coffee UK.
330 reviews20 followers
September 14, 2023
My honest thoughts:
I love this series!

I do diabetes should be spoken about more, the understanding of diabetes and why people do the diabetes tests should be told to children more so its less scary when actually going through it.

Even having these books in schools, clinics and hospitals would make such a massive impact!
Profile Image for Corinne Anderson.
301 reviews13 followers
February 19, 2024
Today, I feel like diabetes is a very common affliction across adults. I know a few kids that had it when I was younger and it was always an odd and slightly scary medical condition. Needles, pumps, and the need for snacks on hand were confusing for those who had never interacted with diabetics before. This series is such a helpful way to introduce kids to medical conditions they themselves may experience, or that their friends may experience. I love that these books are so calm, fun and informative.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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