Michael Löwa, Germany

Germany: Johannes’ four-legged sister

Type 1 diabetes – around 35,000 children and young people in Germany suffer from this autoimmune disease and have to keep a constant eye on their blood sugar levels. Eleven-year-old Johannes is one of them. At least it has led to a very special relationship for him: with a Labrador dog that he calls his sister, and who watches over him like a good nurse. Enya has the ability to recognize dangerous fluctuations in a diabetic’s blood sugar level based on their breathing rate and smell. She is also trained to step on a bell with her paw to alert his parents, or to quickly bring Johannes some glucose. Her reward? A piece of dried meat.

The ability of some dogs to warn of diabetes has been scientifically observed since the 1990s; such assistance dogs have also been trained in Germany since 2007. German photographer Michael Löwa has captured this unusual and symbiotic relationship in heart-warming images.

Photographer: Michael Löwa, Germany, for Dein Spiegel (Agentur laif)

Michael Löwa, born in 1974 in Hildesheim, began working as a freelance photojournalist after completing his photography studies at Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts. After a six-month internship at FAZ, he moved to dpa as a freelance photographer. He currently works as a freelance photographer for various German magazines, newspapers and advertising agencies. Since 2010, he has been represented by the photo agency laif.

Löwa’s work has been published in numerous German magazines, exhibited in France, Italy, and Japan and has been shortlisted for the Sony World Photography Award as well as receiving honorable mentions and nominations in other competitions, including the UNICEF Photo of the Year 2004.