Dec 28, 2009 12:55 pm US/Pacific
Specially Trained Dogs Protect Kids With Allergies
MIAMI (CBS) ―
-
-
Allergy alert dogs can sniff out danger to save kids from severe and sometimes life-threatening food allergies.
CBS
More than three million children in the U.S. suffer from food allergies, for some of them a reaction can be quick and deadly. Now some families have found a new way of better protecting their children; dogs that sniff out allergy danger.
For the past four years, Toni Cygan has lived in almost constant fear.
"When [my son] Chase was five months old, he almost died in the emergency room," said Cygan.
A severe allergy to soy formula prompted a trip to the E.R. Since then Cygan has learned that Chase is also allergic to milk, wheat and all kinds of nuts.
"It's been difficult. He's had many hospitalizations," she said.
Last fall Chase started preschool and his mother was very worried about protecting him there.
"I'm on edge. A lot of times I don't leave the area," Cygan said.
Then she heard about Angel Service Dogs. It's a non-profit organization created by Sherry Mers whose daughter, Riley, also has life-threatening food allergies.
"It's very scary and dangerous," said Riley Mers.
Riley's dog, Rock'O, is one of 10 allergy alert dogs trained by the group so far. The dogs are taught to sniff out the scents of dangerous foods the same way law enforcement dogs are trained to identify drugs and bombs.
"We want our dogs to really want to go crazy to find that odor. That's their one purpose in life," said dog trainer Sean Hartley.
While the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says it doesn't have an opinion at this time on allergy alert dogs - some allergists think it is a good idea.
"The allergy dog is just an extra safety net that probably gives the child, and the family, some comfort," said Dr. Mary Kay Tobin, director of Rush University Asthma Center, Chicago.
The Cygans' dog, Slinky, went through several months of training in Colorado Springs. Then just before Halloween, Slinky joined the family at their home in Orland Hills.
Every morning now, before other children arrive at school, Cygan and Slinky check out Chase's classroom and snack area for anything that could trigger an allergic reaction.
"This dog is amazing. I can't even believe how much he has changed our life in just three weeks," Cygan said.
However, the dog is just one line of defense for children with food allergies.
Dr. Tobin said they still have to carry an EpiPen and have an "allergy plan" in place at school.
What if you're allergic to dogs? Angel Service Dogs says it uses "allergy-friendly" dogs like Australian Labradoodles and Portuguese Water Dogs.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments