I was thinking of getting a dog (cockapoo) to train as a medic alert asthma detection dog. Has anyone had any experience with their own dog where the dog could notice when you were about to have an asthma attack? I have non-allergic severe brittle asthma, and I'm willing to try anything to get my asthma under control, as I have had 4 admissions to intensive care this year already with Asthma attacks. I am not allergic to dogs, I'm around dogs regularly as I have a couple of friends with dogs.
Lisa
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99Poke
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Just a request for a very allergic asthmatic to be mindful of bringing your doc in public places It's a bit terrifying for me to be stuck next to a dog on a bus or plane or in a restaurant knowing it could set off a severe attack. (And there is no such thing as hypoallergenic dogs, cockapoos etc. are labeled as such because they have hair and don't shed as much but they still produce the same amount of protein in their dander that people are allergic to as dogs with fur.) Just a quick PSA, I'll stop now!
I had a family pet dog that used to detect my asthma before my peak flow dropped or I started with an attack. The dog would follow me around everywhere and lick at my wrists. I worked out she was warning me I was about to have an attack. It was her natural instinct to do this and I never trained her to do it,though I felt safe around her.
My other dog related to her does not have this instinct to detect asthma and I miss it. Though if you are not allergic to dogs they are great company when you have an attack. Also you can moan to the dog about your asthma and they don't mind! So better for your wellbeing I think. Stroking a dog relaxes you and brings down your heart rate which I think helps with asthma.
Thank you lola2009 for your response. Stroking a dog does really relax you. That's amazing that your dog could detect asthma attacks coming on. Dogs are incredibly intelligent. I'm definitely going to get an asthma alert dog. Was thinking a cockapoo would be perfect for me.
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It's a bit terrifying for me to be stuck next to a dog on a bus or plane or in a restaurant knowing it could set off a severe attack. (And there is no such thing as hypoallergenic dogs, cockapoos etc. are labeled as such because they have hair and don't shed as much but they still produce the same amount of protein in their dander that people are allergic to as dogs with fur.) Just a quick PSA, I'll stop now! 
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