Title: Can Pets Prevent Asthma?
Feed: CWKN #389, June 11, 2008
Time: 1:26
SUGGESTED LEAD: SOME PARENTS ARE RELUCTANT TO HAVE A PET IN THE HOUSE, WORRIED THAT IT COULD TRIGGER ALLERGIC REACTIONS OR EVEN ASTHMA IN THEIR CHILDREN.  BUT NOW A NEW STUDY SAYS—THE OPPOSITE MAY BE TRUE.  CONNECT WITH KIDS TAKES A LOOK.
<<PKG>>

NATS:  “Love Ginger?”

NARR: 22-MONTH OLD CAMRYN LIKES PLAYING WITH HER DOG GINGER. (:04)

SUPER: Maylynn Wilson, Mother (:07)
“Cameryn loves her.  She loves to feed her, she plays with her she really enjoys being around her.”

NARR: AND GINGER’S BEEN AROUND SINCE THE DAY CAMERON WAS BORN.

PLAYING WITH GINGER IS FUN, BUT IT MAY ALSO HELP KEEP CAMERON HEALTHY. 

A NEW STUDY, FROM COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, FINDS THAT CHILDREN WHO ARE EXPOSED TO CATS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD MAY BE LESS LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA LATER IN LIFE.  

EXPERTS SAY EARLIER STUDIES SHOW THE SAME IS TRUE FOR DOGS AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD PETS. (:24)

SUPER: Mark Livezey, M.D., Allergist (:45)
“One possibility suggested by this study is that there’s a desensitization process that goes on early in life. And with high exposures to an allergen such as a pet dander that the allergic sort of response may actually tone down somewhat and result in lesser incidence in allergic disease or asthma.”

NARR: HE SAYS THAT THERE’S NO GUARANTEE A PET WILL PREVENT A CHILD FROM DEVELOPING ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA, ONLY TIME WILL TELL IF IT WORKS FOR YOUR CHILD… (:09)

SUPER: Dr. Mark Livezey/Allergist (1:12)
“And see whether allergies develop or perhaps there is a possible protective benefit.”

NARR: CAMERON FEEDS GINGER AND IN TURN THE DOG MAY HELP PROTECT THE HEALTH OF THE CHILD. (:06)

NATS: “aww”

NARR:  I’M COLLIN SIEDOR FOR CONNECT WITH KIDS. (:03)

SUGGESTED TAG:   FOR MORE ON HOW PETS AFFECT ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA IN CHILDREN, LOG ON TO OUR <LOCAL STATION> WEB SITE AND CLICK ON CONNECT WITH KIDS.