Cristina Saint-Blancard of Plantation and Tatiana, the 3-year-old, specially-trained Labrador mix service dog that paramedics credit with saving her life during an asthma attack last August. Tatiana is one of eight finalists competing in a national Hero Dog contest. Family photo

Cristina Saint-Blancard of Plantation and Tatiana, the 3-year-old, specially-trained Labrador mix service dog that paramedics credit with saving her life during an asthma attack last August. Family photo

Tatiana, credited with saving his owner’s life, is one of eight finalists for Hero Dog in a national contest. The 3-year-old Labrador mix was also awarded a degree in friendship when owner Cristina Saint-Blancard of Plantation graduated from Purdue University last December. Fmaily photo