Epi-Pens are Headed to Schools in Chicago

The Chicago public school system is forming a plan to stock schools with Epi-Pens and allow students to carry their own. For more details, click the link below.

http://m.nbcchicago.com/nbcchicago/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=FmY6XhJc&full=true#display


-Katy

Allergen Alert Labeling

My husband hates grocery shopping with me for 3 reasons: 1- I take too long, 2- I will go back across the store to save a penny on a can of corn, and 3- I read labels for possible allergens. It's become habit after enough dogs indicating on something we didn't expect, only to read the ingredients list and find an allergen listed. I am still amazed at how many products say "may contain ______" which makes me wonder how many companies are putting the warning on their products just to make sure they are covered legally.

Do you know of products that have never caused you problems with a label like this? Do you stop using a previously safe product because this label shows up on the packaging one day? As families who have to watch what they bring into their homes, would you rather see only products with a real allergen risk labeled or are you in favor of labeling all products with even a minute chance of containing or having come into contact with an allergen?

-Katy

Epi-Pen Petition for your consideration.

Hi All!

There's a petition which you may or may not feel compelled to sign but I think it's important we all take a look and voice our individual opinions.  Petition regarding schools stocking epi-pens  According to the website, it has the support of FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) as well as the Academy of Pediatrics... 

Leslie

Possibly Safe Candy

The Tootsie family of candies has allergen information for each product on their website, and all that I've read say they're peanut free.
http://www.tootsie.com/index.php

Of course, I wouldn't just take their word for it but at least it's a start for people looking for peanut free, easily accessible candies. I would like to hear experiences with these candies; have they been safe for you or not?

A tip for people with detection dogs: If you buy a bag of these candies and the dog indicates on the outer package, try searching an individual candy.

Hope you have a chocolate filled day.
-Katy

Epi-pens... who should have them? Where should they be?

A few days ago, a darling little girl named Ammaria died at school after being exposed to a peanut allergy.  This article gives you a bit of information (CLICK HERE) and you can see links to other articles on the tragic event on my Facebook page (I Smell Trouble - Allergen Alert Dogs).  Meanwhile, as a result of the event, there have been lots of comments in regard to protecting "our" children as well as a few articles (Click here to read one from USAToday). 

Most of the comments and articles focus on having an epi-pen within reach.  There are people fighting for children of all ages (we're talking preschool to high school) to be allowed to carry and use their own epi-pens and that has caused controversy, especially when dealing with the youngest kids. 

Now I will tell you that after my daughter had an anaphylaxis reaction to clover and, later, to cats' dander, she carried an epi-pen in her school backpack )she was in middle school) regardless of school policy!  The school nurse had one as well, although teachers weren't "allowed" to have them in the class!  So, she always had one in her backpack...   (She, her brother and sister ALWAYS had a cell phone in their pocket or backpack as well... and that was DEFINITELY against the rules!  They could use them for an emergency (911 or me!) and never fear being in trouble!)  However, I have my own opinions on young children carrying and being responsible for carrying and using epi-pens.  I'd like to know where you all stand on this...

Meanwhile, on the article to which I first referred has a poll in which I encourage everyone to participate.  The question asked is should schools stock epi-pens just in case?  Currently, 90.5% of those participating says "YES."  With this I agree... but I also know that they need to be stocked in the classrooms, NOT in the nurse's office across campus, and that swift action is necessary. 

Please share your comments - and let us all know how you have dealt with an epi-pen being at your child's disposal should the need (God forbid) arise.  Be sure to include your child's age, if he/she goes to school, and school policy!

- Leslie

INTRODUCING KATY!

Katy and Oscar, chillin'

Because I tend to be so overwhlemed training dogs, socializing dogs and keeping up with other complicated areas of my life, the blog has been neglected.  So, Katy Aderhold Roberts has come to the rescue, offering to blog for me (which reminds me... if anyone has stories or articles they'd like to have posted here, just contact me!!).  Woo hoo, Katy!  Thank you!  Katy is a great young lady who I am thrilled to call my friend.  Thrilled.  I met her at my last place of employment and was happy, happy, happy to teach her about training detection dogs and then equally happy to get to train with her!  We had great times and produced some fantastic dogs - many of which I would like to take full credit for training, but Katy will always remind me her involvement!!!  She is an EXCELLENT trainer...  but is currently focusing on the training of her new baby and not on allergy alert dogs (sheesh...!)  :-p  Anyway, I asked Katy to introduce herself to you... and here's what she had to say!  (Hopefully, you'll see a photo or two of Katy... as she'll be posting her next blogs without the middle man (me!)!   So, without...  HEEEEEEERRRRRE'S KATY!

Hmm, what do I want to write about myself?

I guess I can get the facts out of the way first:

Katy Roberts:

24 years old, married with 1 son. Background is mostly with horses but have had dogs all of my life. Currently have 3 toy Australian Shepherds.

Now the fun stuff:

I was going to school to be a veterinarian and had too much time on my hands so I decided to apply at a dog kennel to see how working with animals everyday fit with me. I started out scooping poop and cleaning runs as well as watching Leslie work with the training dogs. Then I got the idea that I could train my toy Aussie to find peanuts for fun. I watched Leslie and went home and subjected Bear to my less than stellar training tactics. One day, I showed off what Bear could do (it wasn’t impressive) but it did get my foot in the training door.

Leslie decided to give me a chance with a black lab and the rest is history. I’ve trained or helped train in narcotics, arson, termite, bedbug, and allergen detection, but the allergy dogs are the best by far. I love working with these dogs and seeing the end result when a parent cries with relief at the realization that they have an extra shield of protection for their child.

Every dog I’ve trained is special in their own way, but my first dog, Sachi, will always have a special place in my heart and has been the most determined dog I’ve trained so far. Her every waking moment is consumed with finding a peanut and getting her toy.

The clowns have been Riley, Bobber (appropriately named for how he indicates when he finds a peanut) and Oscar. Trying to teach Riley the “down” command was a bit of a challenge since he decided downing on his back was way more fun than his stomach. Imagine the look I got from Leslie the first time I showed off that trick.

Oscar personified “cute”, he had a cute look, a cute walk, and a cute searching technique. He made me laugh about something every day. My favorite story about him is when we started teaching him to be comfortable in tight places in preparation for his first plane ride. We utilized a desk as the “tight place," or "airplane," and had him lay down under it for a period of time. One day, we had about 5 dogs in the training building and decided to let them all have romper room time after a good training session. When we started to gather the dogs back up, we noticed Oscar was nowhere to be seen. He was found, after a short search, hanging out in his “airplane”.

Meeting a few of the families and seeing the struggles they go through on a daily basis, has made me want to gather as much information as I can about food allergies and pass some of it along. My hope is to help make this a place where people can come to learn about food allergies, and the dogs that are working to protect against them.