The goal of this intensive seminar is to provide the most comprehensive information available about living with severe allergies. This course will focus on building both your knowledge and your confidence by giving you specific tools to manage them at home and in public. The course includes daily classroom instruction as well as guest speakers on a wide range of topics. From learning about the truths and myths of food allergies and understanding the science behind the symptoms of anaphylaxis, to knowing how to read food labels under the food allergen labeling laws, the class provides you with extensive and up-to-date information. Learn how to advocate for yourself or your child and understand your own comfort level when it comes to risk evaluation. Find out how to be proactive in speaking out for better legislation and allergy initiatives. A special section on managing food allergies in school will also be covered. You will learn how to write Section 504 and Individualized Health Plans and how to decide which one may be right for you or your child. Get hands on practice with an Epi-Pen to make you are comfortable administering it in an emergency situation. Whether you are new to the allergy world or have been managing allergies for years, we want you to leave here with new information and an action plan that lets you feel informed and knowledgeable enough to handle even the hardest aspects of living with severe allergies. This course can be taken alone as a 1-week full day seminar or in conjunction with service dog training as a 2-week half day course. All participants in this course are welcome to join in the service dog graduation ceremonies and Kyle Dine concert.

For Ages 13+
Hours: 8am-5pm (1-week intensive class) or 1pm-5pm (2-week Service Dog Training Course)

Certification – At the end of the training course you will be required to certify with your dog. Certification is a chance to demonstrate what you have learned and show that the dog is working for you in the expected way. Although all of the dogs have been certified by an independent expert evaluator and have passed rigorous certification standards with their trainer, it is even more important that they work well for you. Our client certification standards test obedience and detection in public places that simulate real-life scenarios. Re-certifications are also available to any allergen detection dogs currently from any organization. Re-certification is highly recommended on an annual basis.

Graduation – Graduation is a highly anticipated event! It is a time where we honor the hard work and dedication you have shown. It marks the beginning of your new life as detection dog handlers and celebrates the commitment you have made to yourself or your child. The culmination of two weeks of hard work, intense learning, laughter and friendship is a concert by renowned “allergy musician” and performer, Kyle Dine.

Service Dog Training Course

Our two-week intensive course focuses on preparing you to effectively work with your detection dog to search an area to see if it is clean or contaminated. The course contains daily classroom instruction on a wide range of topics, from the science of canine detection, how odor travels from a source, different kinds of search patterns and handling skills, to basic obedience and relationship bonding. This is a professional level detection handling course that exceeds the training given to many career canine handlers. We provide a very low student-to-teacher ratio to give as much personal attention and hands-on practice as possible. When you leave this course, you should feel confident and capable of successfully searching even the most challenging places. This course is given in conjunction with the Allergy Education Conference.
For Ages 13+
Hours:

8am-12pm AllergenDetection Service Dog training
1pm-5pm Allergy Education Conference
6pm-8pm Individual instruction for detection training

Allergy Education Seminar

A 3-day course for families living with anaphylactic allergies. This course covers the main points and highlights of the week-long Allergy Education Conference in a condensed format without the hands-on activities or discussion. Topics include in-depth information on the body’s response during anaphylaxis, food labeling laws in the U.S. and Canada, Section 504 and Individual Health Plans, the latest updates from allergy researchers, current and pending legislation, as well as practical survival strategies and self-advocacy techniques. This is a lot of information packed into a very short amount of time.

Advanced Detector Dog Course

This is a 3-day class for those who currently own allergen detection service dogs who would like to improve their handling skills, advance their dogs and learn more about scent detection. Learn how to add additional odors, correct false responses, improve hunt drive and search more challenging areas. This course will advance and challenge even experienced handlers and canines. Finishes with a mini-competition and an award for Top Dog. Dogs from any service organization welcome. Re-certifications offered.

Anaphylaxis Awareness for Caregivers

This 1-day course aims to educate the care providers of children with anaphylaxis about prevention, symptom recognition, and emergency care procedures during anaphylaxis. Epi-Pen training is included. This course is an excellent starting point for all caregivers for children with allergies, including relatives, babysitters, new staff members, or childcare providers wanting to review their current allergy action plans or implement new ones. You must pass an end-of-course exam to receive a course completion certificate.

1. K.I.D.S. Camps

KIDS Camps

Come laugh, learn and connect with other kids who also have severe allergies. The camp focuses on the whole child: the physical, emotional and intellectual aspects of managing life with allergies. Through hands-on activities and teamwork we help children understand their own allergies better, learn how to advocate for themselves and help them develop a sense of equality, dignity and inclusiveness. So often children with severe allergies feel isolated and left out of group activities. Using interactive play, crafts, crafts and lots of laughter, this camp provides a way to develop that sense of belonging and normalcy that children (and adults) so desire. Design your own poster for an allergy awareness campaign, simulate how allergens travel using a glowing gel and a black light, create one-of-a-kind covers for your Epi-pen pouch, and be part of a hilarious skit that teaches real-life lessons about dealing with bullies. Best of all, be part of a group that really understands what living with allergies is all about. This camp is designed with the allergic child in mind, but is a wonderful experience for siblings as well.

For Ages 4-12.

Hours:  8am-5pm, with a 1-hour family lunch break.  Movie-time from 6pm-8pm.

KIDS Mini-Camps

Through hands-on activities and teamwork we help children understand their own allergies better, learn how to advocate for themselves and help them develop a sense of equality, dignity, freedom and acceptance. Each week features new activities and themes. Using interactive play, activities, crafts and lots of laughter, this camp provides a way to develop that sense of belonging and normalcy that children (and adults) so desire. Be part of a group that really understands what living with allergies is all about. This camp is designed with the allergic child in mind, but is a wonderful experience for siblings as well.

For Ages 4-12.

Hours:  8am-5pm, with a 1-hour family lunch break.  Movie-time from 6pm-8pm.