I admit it: I had no idea there were service dogs trained to detect allergens. Someone sent me the link to Allergen Detection Service Dogs and my first reaction was to laugh. A service dog? For my kid? So he doesn't eat allergens? Huh.
Ignoring the fact that a dog like that would kill my husband thanks to his allergies, it might be an interesting idea.
The mission of Allergen Detection Service Dogs is simple:
"Our mission is to enrich the lives of people suffering from severe allergies by providing them with the freedom to explore the world safely, giving them greater independence, opportunity, and peace of mind. We provide exceptional detection dogs and professional training to the handler while giving families a chance to connect, learn and have fun together."
I'm not entirely sold on the idea, considering that even the dogs can make mistakes. They say on their site that, "Although we require 100% accuracy during the initial certification, this does not mean they will alert to every single trace of an allergen. No dog is ever 100% accurate all of the time. Even the best detection dogs in the world still miss traces of odor occasionally." So what kind of real confidence does this offer to families who buy one of these dogs? I feel like this would give people the confidence to not be as diligent in their own actions to protect against food allergen contact, and that false sense of security could be deadly.
And this isn't the only service that offers dogs with this training. Another company called Angel Service Dogs does the same, and goes so far as to post requests for donations to help families who "need" a service dog afford the price tag.
Prices start at over $12,000, which is a hefty price to pay for something that may or may not add much value beyond being a pet.
What do you think? Would you employ a service dog to help sniff out allergens? Is it worth the cost?
To read about what's being done to desensitize people to food allergies, read HERE. And don't forget to bookmark these handy tips for having successful playdates with an allergic child.
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