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Moment Dog Alerts Allergic Kid's Mom To Traces Of Nuts On Bread Packet
The lifesaving work of a food allergy detection dog has amazed internet viewers, as her owner displayed just how diligent she is when it comes to identifying the faintest traces of peanuts.
Living with an allergy can be a debilitating experience, constantly living in fear that a severe reaction is just around the corner. Natalie Rice used to be terrified for her teenage daughter's safety, until detective Harley came into their lives in 2019.
Harley, the 4-year-old golden retriever, is trained to detect any traces of peanuts and alert Rice, or her daughter, to the danger. Rice told Newsweek that she is in awe of Harley's remarkable ability, and in five years, the dog hasn't made a single mistake.
Rice often posts videos on social media (@detectiveharleyfadd on TikTok and Instagram) to show exactly what Harley does when she detects peanuts, and when food is safe.
"When there aren't any traces of any peanuts, she is trained to look away," Rice said. "However, when she first arrived with us, she started making eye contact with me when it was safe, so now she does both. When there are traces of peanuts, she touches my leg to alert.
Harley the food allergy detection dog tests food. The canine hasn't made a single mistake in five years with the Rice family, as she continues to keep them safe. Harley the food allergy detection dog tests food. The canine hasn't made a single mistake in five years with the Rice family, as she continues to keep them safe. @detectiveharleyfadd / TikTok"We check everything from a restaurant, a bakery, and when we travel too. We also check grocery items, specifically major brands and grocery store chain brands. The only things we don't check are true peanut-free foods (meaning the entire facility is peanut-free)."
How Common Are Food Allergies?The charity organization Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) estimates that there are approximately 33 million people in the U.S. With at least one food allergy.
More than 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions, with shellfish, milk, peanut, and tree nuts among the most common in adults and children.
Every year, the U.S. Sees 3.4 million patients visiting the emergency room because of a food allergy reaction. FARE highlights that this equates to another visit every 10 seconds, with over 40 percent of children with food allergies experiencing a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis.
Rice showed just how precise Harley's instincts are in a recent video, as she detected traces of peanuts in a loaf of bread. It was unusual because Rice said they have never had any issues with that bakery before. Then she realized that maybe it wasn't the bread, but rather, the packaging it came in.
"I decided to break it down, so I carefully slid the bread out of the bag onto a clean surface without touching it and had her check the bag. She alerted to the empty bag.
"But then I didn't know if it was on the inside or the outside of the bag, or if the bread was safe. So, I had her check the bread and she passed it," Rice continued.
Although Harley passed the loaf of bread, Rice was still nervous for her daughter, so she cut the bread into tiny chunks and had the dog inspect each one. She passed every single one, so Rice knew the peanut traces must have been on the outside of the bag.
Rice said that someone could have picked up the bag after coming into contact with peanuts. Whenever she is unsure about something, she will do process of elimination with Harley to rule out any potential risks.
"Even after all this time, it's just as amazing to me as it was the first time I saw it," Rice added.
The last time Rice's daughter had an allergic reaction was in fact when Harley wasn't with her. She was at a restaurant and warned the staff about her severe allergy, but she was still served a sandwich that contained pesto made with peanuts.
As a result, she ended up in hospital requiring epinephrine medication to save her. "Had Harley been there, she would have stopped my daughter from eating it," Rice said.
Harley the food allergy detection dog looks for traces of peanuts in a loaf of bread. Harley has been with the family since November 2019 and continues to keep Rice's teenage daughter safe from peanuts. Harley the food allergy detection dog looks for traces of peanuts in a loaf of bread. Harley has been with the family since November 2019 and continues to keep Rice's teenage daughter safe from peanuts. @detectiveharleyfadd / TikTok The Social Media ResponseThe video of Harley checking the bread has generated over 3 million views and more than 230,000 likes on TikTok, as well as 360,000 views on Instagram.
Harley, who was trained by Kathy Watters of Nosey Dog Detection Partners, has astounded internet viewers with her lifesaving accuracy.
Rice told Newsweek: "The purpose was, and still is, to raise awareness for food allergies. They're not a joke and they're not a choice. They are a life-threatening medical condition. Nobody asks for them and people can't help it if they have them.
"People assume it's a kid thing, but the reality is that anyone can develop an allergy at any time in their life, even to a food they've eaten all their life."
Rice will continue using social media to document Harley's meticulous work and educating people about the importance of taking food allergies seriously. Whether they are trying new food from the store, or dining out at a restaurant, Harley will keep the family safe, as nothing gets past her nose unnoticed.
"Harley's nose gives a visual to concepts that are hard to understand, so we're here to help raise awareness about food allergy safety, food labeling, and anything else that her nose can help with. Harley keeps my daughter safe, and this is our way of helping others," Rice added.
In just a matter of days, the viral TikTok video has generated over 400 comments as social media users were full of praise for Harley and her fellow service animals.
One comment reads: "amazed at the things that these service dogs can learn!"
Another TikTok user wrote: "Service dogs are incredible and I'm so proud of all of them being such good dogs and keeping people safe."
A third posted: "This is so amazing. I can't even get my dog to drink water out of a new water bowl."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.Com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
5 Of The Best Dog Breeds For People With Allergies And Anxiety
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A Yorkshire terrier in the sun.
Raj had Yorkshire terrier Cinnamon to help get him through his romantic woes on "The Big Bang Theory." Elle Woods' Chihuahua, Bruiser, was always by her side. Even Shaggy had Scooby-Doo to help him through some spine-tingling moments. When the going gets tough, people often find comfort in a furry friend.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues people face, affecting about 301 million people, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. Given its prevalence, many people are looking for sources of emotional relief, including the companionship of an emotional support animal, like a loving dog or cat.
Psychiatric experts say ESAs can help people with anxiety improve their sleep, better recognize and regulate their emotions, strengthen their sense of purpose and engagement in life, and foster more social connections. Though ESAs aren't service animals, which are trained to do specific tasks for their disabled owners, these animals also provide a much-needed but invisible benefit: mental support.
As the world increasingly prioritizes emotional and mental health, more and more people are turning to ESAs as one way to help manage their issues. Unfortunately, some 10%-20% of the world's population has dog or cat allergies, meaning many people who could benefit from an emotional support dog may not think it is an option for them. But there is a silver lining.
Although no dog breed is completely hypoallergenic—since allergens are present in dog dander, urine, and saliva, and pet hair can also collect other allergens like mold, dust mites, and pollen—some breeds have coats that shed less or far less than others. This may make them more suitable companions for people with allergies.
Pettable consulted the American Kennel Club and psychiatric sources to determine which dog breeds could be a good fit for people with both anxiety and allergies.
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Three poodles.
As aforementioned, poodles are not truly hypoallergenic, but they do shed a lot less than other breeds. Poodles can be excellent support animals because they are highly trainable, friendly, and form strong bonds with their humans. The AKC also notes that poodles are typically very affectionate with family members, good with young children, and often get along well with other dogs. As a bonus for people with anxiety, poodles have an extremely protective nature. They are often pretty adaptable, meaning they can likely handle changes to your daily routine or fare well in stressful situations. For people living in small living quarters, it may be preferable to opt for a miniature poodle.
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American hairless terrier.
It may be fairly obvious why American hairless terriers are a good fit for people with allergies: they're hairless. Still, this doesn't mean someone may not be allergic to their saliva or urine. An American hairless terrier can be a good candidate for an ESA because they are generally very affectionate with family members and patient and tolerant with young children. This breed may also be able to help people with anxiety, as these dogs tend to display a high level of emotional awareness and empathy.
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A Bichon frisés in the grass.
Like poodles, bichon frisés fall into the little-to-no-shedding category. This breed has several qualities that may benefit people with anxiety, particularly its warm, easy-going nature and tendency to like staying close to family members. Bichon frisés also make great watchdogs and are an overall intelligent, curious, and confident breed. Given their smaller size and love of close contact, bichon frisés can also make superb snuggle buddies and lap dogs.
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A Maltese running in the grass.
Maltese are typically very affectionate and don't shed as much as many other breeds. This breed often forms an especially strong bond with one person, making them good potential companions for people living alone. Their empathetic nature also makes them especially good for helping those experiencing anxiety or depression. As a smaller dog breed, Maltese can be convenient travel companions, making it even easier to always have them near.
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A Yorkshire terrier on a couch.
Despite their coat's appearance, Yorkshire terriers actually aren't big shedders. The AKC notes that Yorkies possess many traits that may make them good ESAs, like being extremely affectionate, open to strangers, adaptable, highly trainable, and protective. Yorkies also tend to be very curious and energetic. They also require lots of mental stimulation, which could nudge their companions to exercise more, get out and explore nature, or embark on adventures. The small stature of Yorkies can also be a perk for people living in small spaces and makes them good plane companions.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.
This story originally appeared on Pettable and was produced anddistributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
4Legz: Pioneering Allergy-Friendly Dog Treats With A Mission To Empower The Deaf And Differently Abled Communities
Centralia, Washington, Sept. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Founded in 2009, 4Legz is a Deaf-led business that has redefined the dog treat industry with its allergy-friendly, all-natural products. As the first full line of dog treats to receive 100% non-GMO certification, 4Legz stands out not only for its commitment to quality but also for its dedication to inclusivity and community impact.
At the heart of 4Legz is a mission to create healthier options for pets while providing employment opportunities for individuals who are Deaf, neurodiverse, differently abled, and from low-income or minority backgrounds. The company's Founder, Cynthia Murray, who was born Deaf, was inspired by the special dietary needs of her own hearing service dog, Odie. Adopted from the Dogs for the Deaf non-profit, Odie suffered from severe food allergies, leading her to develop safe, all-natural treats after struggling to find options that wouldn't endanger his health.
"Starting 4Legz was a leap of faith. I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit that seeks change rather than adapts to it," said the Founder. "Odie needed someone to care for his special diet needs, just as I needed him to be my ears. It was a challenge I was ready to take on, and I'm proud that 4Legz now offers safe, delicious treats for dogs like Odie, and so many others."
4Legz treats are made using human-grade ingredients that meet the FDA's rigorous standards, sourced from regional family farms. To ensure top quality and freshness, all treats are manufactured in-house at the company's bakery in Centralia, Washington. Available directly to consumers, through wholesale partners, and on platforms like Amazon, 4Legz has become a trusted name in natural pet treats.
Beyond the treats, 4Legz is committed to making a broader societal impact. With more than 20 years of experience in special education, Murray is passionate about creating employment pathways for people who are Deaf and differently abled. "I started 4Legz to change the reality for those who struggle to find work opportunities after graduation," she explains. "Through partnerships in the local community, we help provide the experience they need to secure jobs."
Additionally, 4Legz supports organizations that promote animal welfare, offer affordable veterinary care, and train service dogs to assist individuals in need. This holistic approach reflects the company's core values: health, inclusivity, and community support.
Pet owners seeking a healthier, allergy-friendly option for their dogs can find 4Legz products in a variety of shapes, each with its own unique story designed to bring joy to both pets and their humans. As more pet lovers look for natural, nutritious options, 4Legz continues to lead the way in delivering high-quality, human-grade treats that keep dogs happy and healthy.
For more information about 4Legz or to shop for treats, visit 4Legz.Com. 4Legz also welcomes new wholesale and retail partners such as Pet Food & Supply Stores, Veterinarian Offices, Animal Shelters, and Non-Profits that Support Animals. For more information on how to partner with 4Legz, visit https://4legz.Com/.
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