Billy Gensel has severe peanut allergy but his dog sniffs out trouble

TAMPA, Fla. - Billy Gensel plays piano as a jazz ensemble student at Tampa's Patel Conservatory.

Billy is fatally allergic to peanuts, even the residue, and his mom says it gets scary.

"Within 5 minutes he can swell up, his eyes can swell closed, his hands can swell into claws, we've had to rip his shoes off his feet. Because we have the dog now, we are actually able to enjoy life in a more normal sense."

Three years ago, Billy's family got Remy, a peanut-sniffing dog. When she discovers residue, she identifies it with her paw and Billy's mom can clean the area.

Billy's ensemble will be performing May 10 at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in the annual Jazz Jam.