Scott Walker’s Dog Allergy and Presidential Race
The headline on the front page of The New York Times on April 1st, 2015 read: Governor, Allergic to Dogs, May Run Against Political History. Believe it or not, this was not an April Fool’s joke!
The article was about Governor Scott Walker, a Republican from Wisconsin, who is running for the presidency in 2016 and appears to have already lost one major constituency – dogs.
Politics and Dog Allergies
I do not think the Dog PAC has ever thrown its weight for either Democrats or Republicans. However, I’m sure in this dog-eat-dog world, not having at least the dog owners in your corner could cost you some votes.
The article doesn’t go into detail about how severe Governor Walker’s dog allergies are, but I assume they must be strong, as he won’t even hold a dog in a photo opportunity.
Apparently, he is also not alone: Governor Chris Christie’s children are allergic to dogs too. Although his children are not running for office, if Chris gets elected as our next president we can expect no White House pooch in this administration either.
I Can Help!
I want to extend my help to these two potential presidential candidates. Although I am apolitical (I’m not a fan of either party) I am a doctor who treats patients with severe allergies to dogs (and cats), and I get excellent results!
What Causes Dog Allergies?
As you would expect, dog allergies are caused by dog dander or hair. The larger and hairier the dog, the more allergen is in the air and this will trigger an allergic reaction to the person at risk.
Why is Anyone Allergic to these Wonderful Domesticated Animals?
Well, the answer to that may lie in evolution: there was a time when our wonderful canine pets existed more in the form of wild wolves.
Being allergic to these animals and having these symptoms may have alerted the early man to their dangers and protected them.
Now, with the wolves’ population fleeting, we have an abundance of adorable hounds in every home whose only threat is making us sneeze, wheeze or itch if you are allergic to them.
A Great Solution
Fortunately, in my allergy practice, I have found one of the best dog allergy treatments: sublingual allergy drops!
Sublingual allergy drops are desensitization (also called immunotherapy) where small doses of actual dog dander are given to patients in the drops initially and then built up over time to high doses.
Eventually, the high dose levels of drops create immune tolerance or protection, so that a person with dog allergies can actually be in the presence of a dog without significant symptoms.
I have treated hundreds of patients with dog allergies and have enabled them to not only visit friends and families with pets but to actually own dogs themselves!
A Quick Message to Governor Walker
Governor Walker: I’m ready to serve my country if you get elected as our 45th president – and eliminate your dog allergy. If you don’t end up in the White House, you can still come to see me in New York City.
* I write about the desensitization (or immunotherapy) process in my book, Dr. Dean Mitchell’s Allergy and Asthma Solution (De Capo, 2006).
Dr. Dean Mitchell M.D.
Mitchell Medical Group, NYC & Long Island