By Grace Allen
For the North Star Reporter
Savannah Langford is an 8-year-old child living with Type 1 diabetes. The Wrentham girl faces daily challenges while managing her condition and trying to have a normal childhood.
To enhance her safety and quality of life, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to raise funds for a diabetes alert dog—a specially trained canine that can detect changes in blood sugar levels and alert Savannah before a crisis occurs. These dogs offer a unique blend of critical health monitoring and companionship, making them a welcome and invaluable addition to families struggling with the illness.
The certified service dog will come from Diabetic Alert Dogs of America, an organization vetted through the office of state Rep. Marcus Vaughn, says Jamie Domenica, Savannah’s mother.
The dogs are trained to alert their owners of low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar levels before they become dangerous. Domenica, a single mom who has had to balance a job and household responsibilities while caring for her daughter, says the decision to start a fundraiser did not come easy, but the cost of $25,000 for the dog plus worries about Savannah’s medical and emotional needs were the impetus to turn to crowdfunding.
“I hate asking for help, but I think this is going to be the best thing for Savannah,” she said. “It’s just me handling this, and I cannot leave her alone nor do I sleep much at night because her diabetes requires 24/7monitoring.”
Savannah uses a continuous glucose monitor to measure blood sugar levels, but the device has limitations. It does not work in water, which hampers pool and beach time, and is frustrating for Savannah, who loves to swim. Domenica, who is supposed to be alerted to her daughter’s sugar readings via an app on her phone, says the device has failed on occasion, sending her into a panic if Savannah is not with her. The mother has also slept through some alerts out of sheer exhaustion. The insulin pump Savannah wears has failed and fallen off, and the child is currently battling her second staph infection this month from the needle.
Savannah has developed severe anxiety because of the constant worry about blood sugar levels, says her mother.
“She hates diabetes,” says Domenica, a life-long Wrentham resident. “She hates having to wear devices on her body, she cries every time she has to go to the doctor. She asks, ‘why does this have to be me?’”
Savannah is in second grade at Wrentham’s Delaney School.
Domenica, 39, says if she can raise enough funds, Savannah would receive a diabetic alert dog in 8 to 10 months. The dog will be matched with the family’s needs and lifestyle and will come with a lifetime training guarantee. Domenica will be responsible for the dog’s food and veterinary bills.
Savannah was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes five years ago on Nov. 14, National Diabetes Day. On the same day, Domenica was diagnosed with lupus.
“It’s a lot, I’m not going to lie,” said Domenica. “I’m under so much stress. Savannah has never been on a sleepover at a friend’s house, and hardly goes on playdates because I have to be there. Summers are tricky, I can’t send her to just any camp because they don’t all have a nurse. I just want her to be a normal kid. She doesn’t want to be different.”
Domenica hopes a dog will provide a measure of assurance that Savannah’s condition will be monitored, especially at night, and while she grows. Puberty can bring on hormonal changes that can impact metabolic control in diabetes.
“I need to know that when she’s older or on her own, that she’s got this. I won’t be able to do it all forever, and right now there’s just so much to worry about. I think this will be the best thing for Savannah.”
To help Savannah acquire a dog, 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, 6037 S. Fort Apache Rd., Suite 120, 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.
