After 61 Years Of Waiting, Tennessee Man Finally Gets His Puppy

It's one of the ultimate forms of companionship that most young boys dream of -- the tie between a boy and his dog. But for Martin Boraas, a 61-year old biologist from Waynesboro, Tennessee, the childhood dream of having a four-legged best friend never materialized because of allergies. Ever since he can remember, Boraas suffered from allergies that included dogs and cats, as well as trees, grass, and other pollens. Growing up on a farm in Northern Minnesota was tough on his allergies. Boraas had to stay away from the farm animals and often experienced symptoms from just being outside. But recently, at the age of 61, Borass got a second chance at reliving his childhood as the proud owner of "Raven," a puppy that found its way to his home.

Over two years ago, Boraas visited Robert Owen, MD, a Nashville-area allergist/otolaryngologist and began an allergy therapy to help him treat the cause of his allergies after years of simply treating the symptoms. The therapy, called sublingual immunotherapy, slowly desensitizes allergy- sufferers to what causes allergy symptoms until they're no longer sensitive. Similar to another effective form of immunotherapy, allergy shots, sublingual immunotherapy delivers a slowly increasing dose of antigen. But sublingual immunotherapy delivers the antigen under the tongue in liquid form instead of through injection.

"I've been off my allergy medications for over a year and I don't get nasal polyps anymore," says Boraas. "I used to dread the thought of being outside. My treatment has even helped my wife. She finally got a cat!"

Sublingual immunotherapy is currently the topic of a number of U.S.-based studies aiming to evaluate a treatment that has been used extensively in Europe to treat allergies, and that has been used throughout the U.S. for several decades in an off-label manner. Off-label prescribing of medications is common in the U.S. European studies show that sublingual immunotherapy is both safe and effective, and an effective option for those who aren't candidates for injection immunotherapy, including young children.

"We've found clinically that patients who benefit most include infants and children, asthmatics, highly sensitive patients, patients with chronic conditions including chronic sinusitis, patients with food and mold allergies, and those with multiple allergies including dust, pollens, animals and chemicals," says Dr. Owen. "For those who haven't had effective treatment options and aren't candidates for allergy shots, it's gratifying to offer an option that can have long-term impact on their health.

"People who suffer from multiple allergies, like Martin, are typically very good candidates for sublingual immunotherapy," Dr. Owen adds. "Boys and puppies are a natural combination. I'm so glad that Martin finally got his dog." For more information about sublingual immunotherapy, contact Allergycare of Cool Springs at 615.778.0611 or visit http://www.coolallergy.com.

About Robert Owen, MD:

Dr. Owen specializes in helping patients treat the cause of the allergies, offering a unique expertise of bringing together sinus and allergy care for more than 20 years. A graduate of The University of Tennessee at Memphis, Dr. Owen completed residencies in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis and Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and has served on the clinical faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical School and Eastern Virginia Medical School. He is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, and a fellow in the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the American College of Surgeons. Allergycare of Cool Springs is located at 740 Cool Springs Blvd, Suite 140, in Franklin, Tennessee.

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