Special dogs track allergens to keep kids safe

AP ^ | June 09, 2011 | STEPHANIE REITZ

[algernonpj]

NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Boo and Riley are more than affectionate, protective family pets. To their owners, the specially trained dogs are a furry layer of security to sniff out peanut products and other life-threatening allergens. ... "Our goal is for the dog to be with her everywhere she goes," Gianna's mother said. "I don't expect people to change their world for us, but I do expect them to allow us to protect our child in the way we need to."

[Joe 6-pack]

WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

[Shannon]

Interesting article. In most cases all there wouldn't be any problems. But then there's this, from the article:

In Indianapolis, for instance, a woman with a potentially life-threatening allergy to paprika got a specially trained dog to sniff out the substance. When she brought the dog to work, though, a co-worker who was allergic to dogs had an asthma attack.

The dog's owner filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after she was asked to leave the dog at home or take unpaid leave. The case is pending.

[algernonpj]

There is a video from 2010 here:

Allergy Sniffing Dogs

[algernonpj]

I have read that in an attempt to get around dog allergies, many allergy sniffing dogs are of breeds that are not likely to cause an allgergic reactions. IIRC it has to do with fur vs hair.

In one instance a HEPA filter was added to prevent this problem.

[algernonpj]

I found this article on WIKI about dog allergies. It contains information new to me:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366826/School-makes-graders-rinse-mouths-class—ONE-CHILD-peanut-allergy.html

What I liked was the families focus on imposing as little as possible on the rest of the world. Quite different from:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366826/School-makes-graders-rinse-mouths-class—ONE-CHILD-peanut-allergy.html

[Ditter]

As an allergy sufferer and a parent I can see both sides. I am not allergic to peanut butter but tobacco smoke and strong perfume causes me breathing problems.

BTW it isn’t the hair or fur in dogs and cats that causes the problem, it’s the dander/skin flakes. I am not allergic to dogs (thankfully) but I am allergic to cats.

[Celerity]

But.. Tobacco smoke doesn’t contain allergens . Is the smoke just bothersome to you, or is there a reaction ?

[Ditter]

A definite reaction, it causes my breathing to become difficult, asthma. Smoke from other sources is irritating but doesn't cause the same reaction. For instance, smoke from a charcoal grill gives me a headache.

[Colorado Cowgirl]

I’m betting the Dog’s owner wins her case. She has a life-threatening disability that is protected by Federal law.

[Shannon]

That article out of the UK although about a school in Florida shows how nuts things have become. Did you see this part: "They claim their children are losing time in class and are having their faces wiped with Clorox."

The day would never come when someone wiped my kid's face with Chlorox. Never.

[algernonpj]

... BTW it isn’t the hair or fur in dogs and cats that causes the problem, it’s the dander/skin flakes. I am not allergic to dogs (thankfully) but I am allergic to cats

Thanks for the info. I knew about cat dander and it never quite made sense that the same problem would not exist in dogs

[algernonpj]

I wonder how the problem of dog allergies is handled regarding seeing eye dogs.

[tob2]

I’m the same way with tobacco smoke and strong perfumes. Asthma, COPD. Have to use extra medicine when the strong headaches and difficulty breathing occurs. Some people are so selfish they don’t care how tobacco and strong perfumes can ruin an allergic person’s day. My sympathies are with the woman allergic to paprika and hope the one allergic to dogs gets some relief also.

[potlatch]

Unreal what they can train dogs to do nowdays but this is no surprise to me. I have a Yorkie and out of all the dogs I’ve had in my life, this one has the best sense of smell!

If a person comes into my ‘large” yard, Piper can later follow their tracks all over the place. He smells the deer way out in the pasture, etc. It’s funny to see him with his nose in the air just sniffing...