Student's service animal featured in Summit County high school yearbook


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COALVILLE, Summit County — There is a picture in North Summit High School’s yearbook that is turning a lot of heads this year — and for good reason.

It is a picture of a dog listed as a student. Why? It is high school junior Hailee Blonquist’s service animal.

“She's helped me a lot. She just tells me when I'm high and when I'm low,” Blonquist said.

Hailee has diabetes, and her dog, Katie, can alert her in advance of low or high blood sugar events before they become dangerous. Diabetic alert dogs are specifically trained to react to the chemical change produced by blood sugar.

Blonquist’s dog has been by her side since sophomore year. Their bond is unique, and the yearbook committee wanted to highlight it.

"I think it helps her realize that this is normal and natural and it's just part of her [high school] experience,” said yearbook advisor Hannah Wilde.

The team worked tirelessly for nine months, spending about 2-3 hours a day on this year's book, and admitted this particular page is a little unconventional.

“This is the first time we've ever had a dog headshot,” Wilde said.

In Virginia, another high school student had his service dog featured in his school yearbook.

Blonquist really enjoyed being pictured by her best friend, especially because her dog goes to all the student events with her.

"She does everything that the rest of the students do. I mean, she even goes to lunch with us,” she said. “I think she's part of the student body so she should be pictured."

Hailee and Katie have one more year at North Summit High. The yearbook committee is planning on having them both in a cap and gown for next year’s yearbook picture.

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