Growing up around pets is particularly helpful for immune development — here's why

Growing evidence suggests that regular exposure to our pets’ microbes, particularly in early life, can help build a stronger immune system

Professor Fergus Shanahan says animals can help to transfer gut bacteria between household members. Picture: Stephen Bean

Fergus Shanahan, founder of the APC Microbiome Ireland research centre in Cork, was intrigued when he came across a series of photographs of Irish Travellers in a 2016 National Geographic magazine.

Looking at the striking portraits, he was struck by the number of animals living amidst the Traveller families. It gave him an idea for a new study.