Another Way Dogs Save Lives

For some, peanut allergies are so severe that even a very slight whiff, nearly undetectable, may cause severe, even deadly reactions. While watching a show on bomb sniffing dogs, a Mom in Colorado wondered why dogs could not be trained to use their powerful sense of smell to detect the odor of peanuts. Her curiosity was more than just casual, her son has one of those severe allergies.

The dog, a Portuguese Water dog was donated by a local breeder and recommended a trainer in Florida who trains dogs to detect explosives. Rising to the challenge of having never trained a dog to perform this task the usual $15,000 fee was waived.

The Mom, Sherry Mers and the trainer Bill Whitstine have an organization to raise money to train other dogs for those with severe allergies. Their site is: Angel Service Dogs.