Can an Allergen-Sniffing Dog Prevent A Severe Allergic Reaction?

One in three people are allergic to some kind of food. The reactions can range from irritating rashes to life-threatening airway blockages. Those with allergies have to watch what they eat, but that’s not easy when a child faces food allergies.

Dogs may be able to help

There’s a new trend that could make living with allergies a little easier, especially for the younger crowd. A non-profit is raising and training allergy-sniffing dogs.

Trainers teach the dog which foods a child is allergic to and if the dog picks up that scent, it sits down. This alerts the parents and the child that the specific allergens that can cause a reaction are present in the area. The dog can sniff the playground, for example, to check for peanut dust and let parents know if there are any issues.

Family raises money for allergy-sniffing dog

The Gartrells rushed their 13-month-old son, Ashton, to the hospital after he suffered a severe allergic reaction to peanut butter.

“I carried my son in thinking, ‘Oh my God, is this going to be the last time I hold him?’” Aston’s mother, Stephanie, recalled.

Doctors were able to help Ashton, but the fear of another allergic reaction was overwhelming for the parents.

The Maryland-based family started staying home more, not wanting to introduce any unknown elements to their son. Then the couple learned about allergy-sniffing dogs trained by Angel Service Dogs.

The non-profit has trained and placed 65 dogs, mainly Australian Labradoodles, with allergy-suffering families.

“The reality is these parents live every day knowing that every given minute a kind stranger can hand them a cookie that can kill them,” Sherry Mers, Angel Service Dogs executive director, said. “That’s why we do what we do with Angel Service Dogs. The children who have our dogs are going more places, and they’re having fewer allergic reactions.”

The Gartrells are working to raise the $20,000 to buy a specially trained dog that detect Ashton’s allergens, according to a recent news article.

“I don’t want to rob my son of a childhood,” Gartrell said. “I want to take my kid to the playground. I want to go to the grocery store with my kid and not have to worry.”