Minnesota ( WCCO ) -- A dog named Nova is suiting up for a very special purpose: keeping a close eye on her human, University of Minnesota medical student Wesley Flint.

"Everyday we come in and I put on her boots and her lab coat and her goggles," Flint said.

It's all part of Nova's personal protection equipment (PPE) routine as Flint's trusted assistant.

Nova is led to her work space, a plush mat under a nearby table, and patiently waits until she's needed.

"She's my medical alert dog. I'm a Type-1 diabetic," Flint said. "Diabetic alert dogs can actually smell the change in your blood sugar before any glucose sensor can pick it up a lot of the time."

Sometimes, Nova can sense a blood-sugar drop up to a half hour before Flint's arm sensor does.

"When my blood sugar is low, she'll g

See Full Page