By Grace Allen

Nine-year-old Savannah Langford of Wrentham has a new ally in her fight against Type 1 diabetes. On August 15, Savannah and her family welcomed Dexter, a certified diabetes alert dog.

Local Town Pages first reported in October on Savannah’s fundraising quest for a diabetic alert dog, detailing the challenges she faced managing her condition and her mother’s determination to find a solution. Since then, donations from friends, neighbors, and supporters near and far have made that goal a reality.

“Dexter will provide Savannah with extra reassurance,” said Jamie Domenica, Savannah’s mother. “She is so anxious about her blood sugars, and Dexter should help.”

The black Labrador arrived after months of specialized training through Diabetic Alert Dogs of America. According to Shelby Joachimi, client advisor and lead trainer with the organization, Dexter was carefully matched to Savannah based on personality, energy level, and lifestyle.

“Dexter is outgoing, confident, and loves his job,” Joachimi said. “He’s a sweet dog with an incredible nose, which makes him a great match for Savannah. He works well in environments relevant to her life.”

Dexter’s ability to detect blood sugar began with personalized scent training. Savannah provided scent samples when her blood sugar was above 150 and below 80, allowing Dexter to learn her unique chemical changes.

“After completing the program, our dogs are able to alert everyone, but we teach them using their client’s individual scent,” Joachimi said.

The eight-month-old puppy is trained to break any command to alert Savannah, putting her safety above everything else, explained Joachimi. Dexter’s alert signal is direct—he will approach and paw at Savannah until she responds. During training, each correct alert is rewarded with a minimum of five treats, reinforcing the behavior.

Although Savannah uses a continuous glucose monitor, Dexter will provide a critical advantage. 

“Dogs are able to catch changes in glucose levels instantly,” Joachimi noted. “Our dogs are typically twenty to thirty minutes faster than continuous glucose monitors. That extra warning can prevent extreme ranges and critical levels.”

For Domenica, that speed will provide extra reassurance in situations where technology can fail, such as swimming, one of Savannah’s favorite activities, or device malfunction.

After placement, diabetic alert dogs go through a 30 to 90-day adjustment period, following what Joachimi calls the “3-3-3 rule” – three days to settle in, three weeks to learn routines, and three months to fully bond.

Savannah, a third grader at the Delaney School, named Dexter after her continuous glucose monitor, a Dexcom CGM. Dexter will accompany her to school and will wear a service vest, helping others quickly recognize he is on duty and should not be distracted. When the vest comes off, Dexter knows he can be a regular puppy.

For a family that has faced sleepless nights, medical device frustrations, and constant monitoring, Dexter is more than just a service dog, emphasized Joachimi.

“Once he bonds with the family and the relationship develops, it’s very special,” she said. “Our dogs provide medical support, but also provide companionship, love, and positivity during hard times.”

The GoFundMe campaign for Dexter is ongoing, since the family is still incurring expenses related to his training. To contribute, visit www.gofundme.com and search for “Support Savannah’s Journey with a Diabetic Alert Dog.” Or mail a check to Diabetic Alert Dogs of America LLC, 5130 S. Fort Apache Rd., Suite 215-377, Las Vegas, NV 89148. Write “Savannah Langford” in the memo line.

Donations can also be made directly on the organization’s website: www.diabeticalertdogsofamerica.com.