03/13/2023
Miguel’s Monday Minutes
March 13, 2023
I’m a pet owner. Two cats, two dogs, a turtle, and a snake. So, when patients come in and are concerned about their animal allergies and if they need to re-house their pets, I will be the last one to counsel that! I came across a recent study on Human-Animal Interactions that showed that toddlers will go out of their way to help even unfamiliar dogs get toys and treats beyond their reach, and this innate altruism toward other species may have led to the domestication of dogs, cats, and other livestock. This in turn helped humans to thrive. Children who had a dog at home were the most likely to help, and dogs that were the liveliest were the most likely to be helped, according to the study. Another big win for pet ownership! That being said, this doesn’t escape the reality that animals can lead to very significant allergy symptoms sometimes, though, and when you’re ready, we are here to help!
~Miguel
Miguel P. Wolbert, MD
West Texas Allergy