Vic, one of eight service dogs on campus, and his long fur cause allergies to act up for some students around Witt. (Photo by Kali Parmley, Staff Photographer)
From itchy eyes to breaking out in hives, the service dog program at Wittenberg University is not all it’s cracked up to be for students who are allergic to the dogs. 2Hands4Paws is an organization that socializes and trains dogs so that one day they can go to a physically, socially or emotionally disabled child who needs assistance with day-to-day tasks. The organization, formerly known as 4 Paws for Ability, is finishing its third year at Wittenberg, and there are currently eight dogs on campus. However, several students are allergic to the dogs and have to take medication because they can’t avoid the allergens. “I think [the dogs] are a great idea, but the concept was not fully looked at from all angles,” said senior Erin Steinberg, one of the affected students. “I have to take a prescription allergy medication, and it is not inexpensive!” Other students are allergic but experience fewer symptoms than Steinberg. “I actually really like dogs, it just sucks that I can’t really pet them or else I will start sneezing,” said junior Brad Douglass, “so I tend to avoid them most of the time.” The 2Hands4Paws trainers are aware that students have allergies and have tried to accommodate. “We always worry about… students with dog allergies,” said senior Brady Christensen, Co-Head Student Trainer for 2Hands4Paws. “I suggest that these students speak up if they feel uncomfortable with the presence of the dogs and we will certainly not bring the dogs to that specific class.” To prevent allergic reactions, student trainers are highly encouraged to ask their professors before bringing their service dog into class. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. “I actually have never been asked if it was ok that the dog was in the class, however it does not bother me,” said Douglass. Steinberg’s allergies are so severe that they affect her even without dogs in any of her classes. “Even if the dog isn’t in my class, but in the same classroom before my class, the dogs still leave behind hair and dander,” said Steinberg. “I still get some hives, itchy or watery eyes, and stuffiness, depending on how long ago the dog was in the area or how close my encounter was.” On the other hand, many students and staff enjoy the dogs around campus. “Everyone is always especially friendly with the dogs and everyone likes to pet them,” said Christensen of the general reaction to the service dogs. But for students like Steinberg who are highly allergic to dogs, the 2Hands4Paws program causes distress. “Nobody wants to admit that they are uncomfortable or not happy that the dogs are on campus,” said Steinberg. “At home I have animals and I have to take medication when I go and visit. But school is, or rather was, my relief where I could be allergy free for the most part. But sadly, that is not the case anymore, and it doesn’t look like there is anybody willing to listen to the negatives.”
(Shelly Gregory / s13.mgregory@wittenberg.edu>
i’m sorry, but if a dog can be trained to detect seizures for the benefit of a life, i think you can deal with the sniffles. party pooper.
it is a great program and everyone else loves the dogs on campus.