In September 2024, my daughter Journey, who was just 4, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. For months before that, we were struggling with potty training and she was constantly thirsty. We’re an active, outdoorsy family though, so I didn’t think too much of it at first. Still, something felt off. I even mentioned Type 1 Diabetes to a couple people as it popped into my head, but I honestly didn’t know much about it.

The morning we planned to take her to a walk-in clinic just to ease my mind, she was unusually sleepy. She’d slept for over 14 hours and wouldn’t even wake up for her favorite Texas Roadhouse hotdog (if you know Journey, you know that’s serious!). That afternoon, they did a quick finger poke and the result was instant and terrifying: the meter just read “HIGH.” Her blood sugar was so elevated it wouldn’t register (normal is around 70–100; hers was over 600). We were rushed to the ER and admitted straight into the PICU. Journey was in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition, and spent a full week in the hospital.

At diagnosis, Journey had lost so much weight she was skin and bones. Since then, she’s gained almost 10 pounds! But the challenges haven’t stopped. We’re now facing possible celiac and a thyroid issue and waiting on bloodwork for answers.

We’re coming up on a year since diagnosis, and Journey now wears a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and an Omnipod insulin pump. We’re learning, but nothing about this disease is simple. You really can’t understand how relentless Type 1 is until you live it every day.

This little girl has been through so much already. Her name is Journey for a reason. She was born premature in the height of Covid, was later diagnosed with multiple anaphylactic food allergies, and now Type 1. But through it all, she’s the sweetest, smartest, most grateful kid you’ll ever meet. For her 5th birthday, the only thing she asked for was help getting a Diabetic Alert Dog. That’s how much she wants one!

Journey is also super active. She does tumbling, cheer, soccer, swim, and loves hiking with her parents. Physical activity (especially in the heat) makes her blood sugar swing unpredictably, even with the best technology. That’s where a dog can make a huge difference.

These amazing Diabetic Alert Dogs (D.A.D.s) use their sense of smell to detect blood sugar changes often 15–30 minutes before a CGM does. That early alert could mean the difference between a normal day and an emergency. Especially since young kids like Journey can’t always feel when their blood sugar is going dangerously high or low. A D.A.D. would help us keep her safe and give her someone to watch over her during play, sleep, and adventures. Knowing there’s an extra set of eyes (or nose) on her would bring so much peace of mind.

Of course, these dogs aren’t cheap. A fully trained D.A.D. can cost over $20,000. To make this dream possible, we’ve decided to do part of the training ourselves with the help of a professional trainer. We’ve picked a reputable breeder with health-certified puppies and a trainer we trust.

• Puppy cost: $2,900
• Initial training: starting around $7,000
• The puppies were born around July 4th and will be ready to go home in just a few weeks. We’re hoping to raise the funds in time to bring one home and start the bonding process right away.

Every dollar raised will go directly toward:
• Puppy purchase
• Travel for pick-up and training
• Initial and ongoing training
• Vet care
• Trainer support

We know this is a big ask, but this dog could truly change Journey’s life. If you’d like to donate, share, or even just send a kind word, we’re so grateful. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us give Journey the gift of safety, confidence, and freedom.

With love,

Alyssa