There have been prior studies done with children raised on a farm, but the new study focuses on children being around dogs and cats. It's true that if you expose children to animals earlier in life then they are less likely to develop asthma later on. Keep reading to learn more!

Having a dog in the family reduces a child’s risk of asthma by 15%, and contact with farm animals can halve it, a large study has shown.

The findings lend strong support to the “hygiene hypothesis” that suggests living in too-clean conditions early in life can increase susceptibility to allergy conditions such as asthma.

Scientists analysed data on more than one million children born between 2001 and 2010 in Sweden, where dog and farm animal ownership has to be registered by law.

Dog exposure during the first year of life was associated with a 15% lower likelihood of childhood asthma, while living close to farm animals cut the risk by 52%.

“We know that children with established allergy to cats or dogs should avoid them, but our results also indicate that children who grow up with dogs have reduced risks of asthma later in life.”

Not only are pooches excellent for companionship and friendship, but they can also help with asthma! It's research like this covered on Irish Examiner that continues to remind pet lovers and owners how valuable dogs are. They can be the best of friends, service animals, and now they can also help with asthma! They never cease to amaze us!