Animal Exposure, Asthma and Allergies

An estimated 62% of all United States households have one or more pet and more than 38% of households with pets have children under the age of 18 (Beck, 2010). Although the total number of pets in the United States does not seem to be increasing (AVMA, 2012), the relationship between people and their pets is intensifying, with pets increasingly occupying more territory in the home (Lockey, 2012). The frequency with which individuals interact with animals poses a special problem for allergic persons and their medical providers (Beck & Meyers, 1987). About 40 million Americans have indoor and outdoor allergies, and approximately 10 million of them are sensitive to material shed by animals (André & André, 2011). For individuals with allergies or a family history of allergies and asthma, the decision of whether to acquire or keep a pet can be a difficult one. This decision is compounded by the strong attachments that individuals have with their pets (Baker, 1979), with many pet owners viewing their pets not solely as an animal, but rather as a member of the family (Beck, 2010).