This New Kind Of Service Dog Is Coming To Our Dietary Rescue

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Plenty of people these days adopt a gluten-free diet for a low-carb lifestyle. But for others, there’s no choice in the matter. More than 3 million Americans suffer from celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestines and inhibits proper absorption of nutrients from food. It can be extremely difficult for people who are super sensitive to gluten to navigate the country’s food scene, but now, they can get by with a little help from their favorite four-legged friends.

A new group of service dogs is now being trained to sniff out any trace of gluten found in their owners’ food. And their help is coming in extremely handy for those who end up sick for days when so much as a crouton touches their salad (yes, it can be that severe). When you place your food in front of a gluten-sniffing dog, they either raise their paw to let you know they smell gluten or turn their head to the side to signal that it’s safe to eat.

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These amazing animals are making a world of difference in the lives of people struggling with serious symptoms related to celiac disease. TODAY recently reported that they’re particularly helpful for children (both at school and at home), providing much-needed relief for them as they adjust to their diagnosis, as well as their stressed-out parents who are on watch 24/7.

Because this is a new field for service pups, no national training guidelines exist yet. So if you’re thinking about bringing one of these guys into your life, definitely do your research on their trainers. But if you need help confirming that your household is indeed gluten free, these smart noses could provide the perfect assistance.

Let’s just hope you’re not allergic to dogs, too.