Farmingdale girl welcomes diabetic alert dog home

Emma Brussell, 8, who has Type 1 diabetes, makes paintings which she is selling to raise money to buy a diabetic alert dog which costs about $15,000. These are service dogs that are highly trained to sense and alert their diabetic handlers in advance of high or low blood sugar events, before the condition becomes dangerous. Photo taken Jan. 6, 2017.

Emma Brussell, 8, checks her continuous glucose monitor at her Farmingdale home on April 27, 2018 as her mother watches. Emma has Type 1 diabetes and must wear two devices to help keep her blood sugar levels in check.

Emma Brussell's mother Kelly Brussell checks her daughter's blood glucose level in the bedroom of their Farmingdale home. Emma, who has Type 1 diabetes, recently received her diabetic alert dog, Rufus. Photo taken May 10, 2018

Emma Brussell has her blood glucose level checked by her mother Kelly Brussell at home. Photo taken May 10, 2018

Emma Brussell awaits the arrival of Rufus, her diabetic alert dog, in Farmingdale on April 27, 2018. The dogs are trained to sense and alert their handlers in advance of high or low blood sugar events.

Emma Brussell trains withRufus, her long-awaited diabetic alert dog, at home in Farmingdale on April 27, 2018. Here she works on learning how to summon him.

Emma Brussell with Rufus, her diabetic alert dog, in the living room of her Farmingdale home on April 27, 2018.

Emma Brussell embraces Rufus, her diabetic alert dog in the living room of her Farmingdale home, on April 27, 2018. 

Emma Brussell walks Rufus, her diabetic alert dog, in the hallway at Woodward Parkway Elementary School on April 27, 2018. 

While Rufus' trainer, Ahmed Hassan, not pictured, introduces him to Emma Brussell's classmates, she gives the dog a kiss on April 27, 2018 at Woodward Park Elementary School.

Rufus sits under the desk while Emma Brussell attends class at Woodward Parkway Elementary School on April 27, 2018.

Emma Brussell walks Rufus, her diabetic alert dog, past a sign outside Woodward Park Elementary School that welcomes the dog. Faculty and staff held an assembly to introduce him to the school on April 27, 2018.

Trainer Ahmed Hassan, left, eats lunch at the Farmingdale Diner with Emma Brussell, her mother Kelly Brussell and sister Lily, not pictured. Rufus, Emma's diabetic alert dog, watches from under the table on April 27, 2018.

Emma Brussell brings Rufus, her diabetic alert dog, to meet her softball team as they prepare for a game in Levittown on April 28, 2018. 

Emma Brussell shows one of her paintings to Legis. Rose Walker, right, and Legis. James Kennedy, second from right, during an April 24, 2017 ceremony at the Nassau County Legislature where Emma received a citation for her charitable work. 

Emma Brussell holds a citation she received for her charitable work during a ceremony at the Nassau County Legislature on April 25, 2017. Emma started a nonprofit called Emma's Journey, which helps other people with Type 1 diabetes like her to purchase diabetic alert dogs.

Emma Brussell relaxes with Rufus, her diabetic alert dog, at home in Farmingdale on May 10, 2018.

Emma Brussell, right, and her younger sister Lily play with Rufus, Emma's diabetic alert dog, at home in Farmingdale on May 10, 2018

Emma Brussell plays in her Farmingdale bedroom with Rufus, her diabetic alert dog on May 10, 2018.

A tired Emma Brussell lies on the couch of her Farmingdale home with her arm around Rufus, her diabetic alert dog on the evening of May 10, 2018.