Bismarck Teen Aidan Meets His Service Dog Anakin (VIDEO)

One of my favorite parts of my job is to attempt to make people feel good. This world is tough enough as it is with everyday struggles, it's a real privilege to find a story that brings out the emotion in others - and this one is a textbook example. Last May I wrote an article about a Bismarck teen named Aidan Johnson. A young man of just 14 years old was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 12. KXNET reported that the family applied for a service dog through a nonprofit out of Kansas. The Johnson family's search in the past became frustrating for financial reasons. You see a service dog is not cheap - KXNET added that some organizations wanted to charge as much as $25,000 to $30,000 a dog.
A service dog is not just for the blind, Aidan's father Nicholas explained “We did a bunch of research on service animals and diabetic lurk dogs so that they will alert for any highs and lows in blood sugar,” - KXNET- The nonprofit group from Kansas had a dog available for Aidan at the cost a much more reasonable price of $5,000. With a huge support from family,friends, and the Mandan Dakota Lions Club, money was raised and Aidan and his family were all set for the big day - which was yesterday!

Here is what happiness looks like, here is what happens when people care for one another - this is what life is all about. I have probably watched this video about 20 times, and I still feel the smiles a million times over.