Students at Lincoln High in Falmouth, Virginia, received a delightful surprise in their yearbooks this year that is sure to brighten your day. Say hello to the star of the junior class: meet Charlie, the beloved service dog of Sam Thompson.
Senior Emma Roberts rides the same bus as Sam and was thrilled to discover Charlie’s photo in the yearbook. She instantly shared her excitement on Twitter, and her post quickly garnered nearly 3,000 retweets, spreading joy across social media.
Charlie plays a vital role in Sam’s life, who manages Type 1 diabetes. Sam shared with Buzzfeed News that Charlie can detect fluctuations in his blood sugar levels using his remarkable sense of smell, often alerting him 20-40 minutes before he notices himself. “He has saved my life multiple times by waking me up when my blood sugar drops dangerously low during the night,” Sam explained.
“Charlie is an amazing companion,” Sam said. “He transforms my diabetes from a challenge into a positive experience, turning it into a blessing instead of a burden.”
Sam told Scary Mommy that Charlie has become a vital part of the school community. “Charlie has been coming to school with me since last year, and this year, he’s by my side every day,” he remarked. “He’s truly integrated into the school environment.”
With Charlie attending school daily, it was only fitting for him to be included in the yearbook. After discussing it with a friend in the yearbook club, they received full support from the school administration. “I approached my friend about getting Charlie in the yearbook, and she spoke to the teacher in charge, who was fully on board,” Sam recalled.
On picture day, capturing Charlie’s photo was a breeze. “I took my picture, and then I moved over so Charlie could be in front of the camera too,” Sam said.
With a whole year of high school ahead, Charlie will continue to accompany Sam every step of the way. “He will definitely be with me in college or whatever comes next,” Sam added. However, he jokingly mentioned that while Charlie might join him for prom pictures, he plans to attend the dance without him.
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In summary, Charlie the service dog not only enriches Sam’s life but has also captured the hearts of his classmates, making a memorable impact on their high school experience.