Medical Alert Service Dog Teams

For people facing unpredictable medical conditions, every moment matters. Our Medical Alert Service Dogs are specially trained to detect early signs of medical emergencies—like drops in blood sugar or cortisol levels—before their handlers even notice symptoms. This early warning gives individuals precious time to take action, helping to prevent serious crises.

Beyond their lifesaving skills, these dogs provide steady companionship, comfort, and confidence—empowering their handlers to live more independently and with peace of mind.

Read and watch stories from individuals and families whose lives have been transformed by the vigilance and devotion of their Medical Alert Service Dogs.

Tamera and SDV Irene

In 2015, EMT Tamera Mason’s life changed in an instant when a yellow jacket sting triggered a rare autoimmune response. Suddenly, she was facing adrenal failure, dangerous drops in blood sugar, and constant medical emergencies.

Then in 2018, Irene—a medical alert service dog—came into her life.

“She’s made the difference between life and death,” says Tamera. “Irene is literally a lifesaver.”

Irene detects blood sugar drops before Tamera can feel them, retrieves emergency meds, and even saved her life during a pump failure while she slept. On another day, after multiple stings left Tamera unconscious, Irene pulled her to safety.

Irene is more than a dog—she’s a guardian, a partner, and a best friend.

Click here to read more about how Irene is truly a lifesaver.

Woman in medical scrubs sitting on grass with a yellow Labrador Retriever dog outdoors.

Hannah and SDV Clara

For Hannah, service dogs have been nothing short of life-changing — providing not only safety and stability, but the confidence to live independently and pursue her dreams. After being diagnosed with Addison's disease, a rare adrenal insufficiency disorder, Hannah’s future once felt uncertain. But that changed when she was first matched with Olive, her  first service dog from Service Dogs of Virginia.

With Olive by her side, Hannah gained the freedom to thrive. Olive’s ability to detect dangerously low cortisol levels allowed Hannah to graduate college, land her dream job in theater, and even purchase her first home to live on her own.

“Every day with Olive was truly invaluable. Moving into my new house, I was especially grateful for her — she made me feel comfortable living on my own.”

When it was time for Olive to retire, Hannah knew how essential that support had become. She applied for a successor dog and was matched with Clara — a new partner, equally devoted to keeping her safe and independent.

Like Olive, Clara detects low cortisol levels before a crisis occurs, but her role goes beyond that. With Clara by her side, Hannah’s confidence, independence, and joy have continued to grow.

“This has greatly increased my independence — I've even bought my first house and can now live on my own. Every day with Clara is invaluable, but being at the theater with her has been extra special because I get to share the world I love with the dog I love. She allows me to do my dream job, and I am forever grateful.”

A woman with curly hair sitting on the sand at the beach, smiling, wearing a red T-shirt and sunglasses on her head, with a black dog lying next to her wearing a red harness.
A woman kneeling next to a guide dog, both looking at the camera, with a plain white background.

Pictured: (Top)Hannah and SDV Clara (Bottom) Hannah and SDV Olive

Kindra and SDV Monroe

We’re proud to share Kindra’s story—a powerful reminder of how life-changing a service dog can be. Kindra was honored in 2025 as a Joslin Hero for living with Type 1 diabetes for 50 years, a journey marked by resilience, courage, and the steady support of her medical alert dog, Monroe.

Since Monroe joined Kindra in 2016, their bond has become a lifeline. Monroe’s unwavering vigilance and intuitive alerts have saved Kindra’s life countless times—detecting dangerous drops in blood sugar before symptoms even appear. More than that, Monroe steps in when Kindra’s health challenges make communication difficult, even reaching out to strangers when she can’t, ensuring she always gets the help she needs.

“I have no doubt that Monroe has saved my life,” Kindra shares. “He gave me hope and confidence that I could be safe and thrive. When I first met Monroe, I didn’t expect to live this long—but now, I feel so much better.”

Monroe is far more than a service dog — he is a guardian, a partner, and a source of calm during the most difficult moments. His presence empowers Kindra to live boldly and independently, knowing she is not alone in facing the unpredictable challenges of diabetes.

This partnership is a testament to the profound impact a well-trained service dog can have—not only in saving lives but in restoring confidence, offering comfort, and inspiring hope for a better future.

Woman walking a black Labrador retriever wearing a red service vest along a city waterfront promenade.

reagan and SDV Pearl

Reagan is a courageous brain tumor survivor who faces ongoing health challenges due to Addison’s disease, a serious adrenal insufficiency disorder. Because her body cannot produce cortisol naturally, Reagan’s health can decline rapidly without warning—leading to life-threatening adrenal shock if not treated immediately.

That’s where Pearl comes in. With her incredible sense of smell and instinct, Pearl alerts Reagan to dangerous drops in her cortisol levels well before any physical symptoms appear, giving Reagan critical time to take action.

“Pearl can sense my levels through her amazing sense of smell before there are any physical signs that I may be going into adrenal crisis,” Reagan explains.

The thought of living independently once felt overwhelming for Reagan—everyday tasks like going to the store or attending school alone made her anxious. Her mom could always tell if something was wrong, but Reagan worried about what might happen when she was on her own.

“All of my worries disappeared when Pearl started alerting me on the first day of training with her! She knows when I need meds before I do and has me on a better schedule with my medications than the doctors ever did. I now feel more safe and secure with my health than ever before, and it’s all thanks to my Pearly girl.”

Pearl is more than a service dog—she’s Reagan’s best friend, her lifeline, and her unwavering support system. With Pearl by her side, Reagan is confidently attending college and living independently, empowered by the security and companionship her dog provides.

“I cannot imagine my life without her!”

A smiling woman with shoulder-length light brown hair and a nose piercing, wearing an orange blouse, sits next to a black Labrador retriever with a tag that says "Pearl." The background is a blue, textured backdrop.
A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a red and white patterned sleeveless top, sitting with a black dog wearing a red vest, in front of a black wall with butterfly wing art. The woman is holding the dog, which has a slightly surprised expression.

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