An instructor at an assistance dogs charity is going above and beyond in her role—she is actually allergic to dogs. Becky Cochran was diagnosed three years ago after experiencing a constantly runny nose and itchy eyes, ears, and throat.
“I initially thought it was hay fever, but then it happened all the time,” says Becky, who has worked for the Yorkshire-based national charity Support Dogs for seven years. “If I’m in contact with dogs for five to 10 minutes, my eyes go on fire, and my throat gets itchy. Some dogs will give me a rash.” Becky is even allergic to her own pet Staffie, Bailey.
She visited her GP suspecting an allergy to dogs but was simply told to avoid them—a challenge given her career training dogs to assist autistic children and those with epilepsy or physical disabilities. Becky manages her symptoms with antihistamines. “I literally couldn’t be around some dogs for more than a couple of minutes before I had to take something. Others don’t bother me as much. It’s annoying—I wish there was something stronger I could take,” she adds.
Becky, who has been instrumental in the charity’s epilepsy seizure alert program, will soon transition to a consultancy role. It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of the world’s population has some form of pet allergy, meaning many of Support Dogs’ clients may require a dog that reduces allergic reactions.
Hypoallergenic Dogs
Rita Howson, Support Dogs’ chief executive, explains that pet allergies are typically triggered by dander—dead skin cells shed from dogs—rather than fur. For 34 years, the charity has sourced hypoallergenic dogs that shed less dander to meet individual client needs.
Four-year-old Labradoodle Fergie, rescued from a Cumbrian shelter a year ago, now works on the disability assistance program with a woman in Birmingham whose stepson is allergic to pet fur. “Before being accepted onto our program, Fergie underwent rigorous assessments to ensure he was the right fit for training, and his hypoallergenic nature was a major factor in his adoption,” says Rita. “It’s part of our commitment to meet all clients’ lifestyle needs alongside their medical conditions.”
Purebreds like schnauzers and bichon frises are considered hypoallergenic, while cross-breeds such as Labradoodles and Golden Doodles are also favored by allergy sufferers for their low-shedding coats. Other hypoallergenic breeds include the Yorkshire terrier, shih tzu, West Highland terrier, Maltese, Border terrier, Afghan Hound, and Lakeland terrier.
To learn more about Support Dogs or to help source suitable hypoallergenic dogs, visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800.
