The city councillor that is trying to ban guide dogs from public meetings seems to have some other issues.

In all the years of using my service dog, and ‘working with” folks with allergies, I have met only one individual who had a severe allergy to “my” dog, even when my dog was not present. In other words, had an allergic reaction to the dander on my clothes, arms, hair, etc.

Most people, even those who profess to have severe allergies that trigger asthma, do not have severe allergic reactions to the presence of a service dog in a large room, like a classroom. When I meet folks who complain of their allergies, we negotiate a seating arrangement that usually involves both of us moving our seats to make more space between us.

For folks allergic to dog fur, or saliva, they must come in actual contact with it, not just be near it. If there is no touch, there will be no allergic reaction.

Here in Cambridge, MA, a City Councillor is trying to have guide dogs banned from public meetings, claiming her allergy is a disability, yet dozens of folks who own both cats and dogs attend the very same public meetings. One must wonder what is really going on.

Any allergy to an animal will involve exposure to fur, dander or saliva. There is no “allergy to animal in room” – it always involves an allergen-allergic response. There has to be something to “set if off.”

While reduction in the allergen involved will help tremendously in the vast majority of cases, some people cannot even go into a room in which an animal has been. This is very rare. If the problem is this extreme, the allergic person should be under the care of a allergy specialist, and, possibly, receiving allergy injections.

This should not be considered a reason to exclude the service dog of a person who requires the dog for specific services. In my case, I cannot bend over due to knee, hip and back problems associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Anything that I drop, I cannot pick up. I can’t count either on someone being present, or that someone being willing to help me. My Emmy is always happy to help me by picking up my cane, my cellphone, my keys or even pieces of paper I might drop. My fingers and hands are made clumsy by my rheumatoid arthritis, and I do drop things frequently.

Children with autism can be calmed and helped to pay attention by a well-trained autism service dog. Not to mention the blind and hearing impaired. Interestingly, I haven’t heard of anyone objecting to a seeing-eye dog or a hearing-alert dog. It is the mobility service dog or the autism service dog that are the targets for those who object.

I can only hope that information will be spread to the public and will be helpful in changing the perceptions of mobility and autism service dogs.

Thanks for your response. I agree that it’s important to be respectful of those who have allergic reactions to dogs (or any other type of animal). The reason why dog allergy generally won’t be a successful argument is because the symptoms of those who may be allergic to dogs are usually very minor and can be easily treated with antihistamines.

However, as you pointed out, there are people who are severely allergic to dogs, and their symptoms are much more than just the occasional sneeze, cough, and red eyes. Most of us now know that President Obama’s daughter, Malia, is severely allergic to dogs, and that is the reason why the First Family purchased a Portuguese Water Dog. (By the way, I just found an interesting blog devoted to hairless breeds and dog allergies at Sweet Lucy’s. Definitely worth a look!) You raise a good point about engaging in a conversation, trying find common ground, and agreeing to a compromise. As you indicated, this needs to be done on a case by case basis because there are so many variables.

Thank you again for your comments and for raising awareness.