As the availability of COVID-19 tests dwindle across Canada, another option to detect the virus in the form of a furry friend may be the next best thing.
Multiple studies show that dogs can be more effective, faster and potentially less expensive than the current tests on the market.
The research has grown since 2020, with University of California Santa Barbara professor Tommy Dickey finding the collective research shows trained scent dogs are “as effective and often more effective” than both the rapid antigen tests many people keep in their homes, and even the PCR tests deployed at clinics and hospitals.
But even with studies showing their effectiveness, COVID-19-detecting dogs are deployed only in certain jurisdictions in various countries.
One such place is the Canines for Care program at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), which started looking into the possibility of training dogs to detect COVID-19 in early 2021.
Dr. Marthe Charles, division head of medical microbiology and infection prevention and control at VCH, said the idea stemmed from the early reliance on laboratory testing.
“I think there was a will from public health at the time and also from the various levels of government to try to find a way that was fast, accurate and non-invasive to be able to detect and train as many people as possible,” Charles told Global News in an interview.
Three dogs — two Labrador retrievers and an English springer spaniel — were brought in for training. The dogs were exposed to items such as masks that were worn by patients either negative or positive for the virus. This trained the dogs to recognize what is and is not COVID-19.
Charles said the dogs were trained since being puppies to associate the scent of COVID-19 with food and were rewarded each time they correctly detected a positive case of the virus.
“So from early on in their lives, they’ve associated the scent of a case of COVID to a rewarding scent,” she explained.
This reward method is not just used by VCM. It was also used with a group of dogs sourced in early 2021 for a French study, trained at detection using toys — usually tennis balls — as rewards.
Dr. Carla Simon, owner of Hunter’s Heart Scent Detection Canines in Calgary, said this method of training dogs is common. By using rewards, it can help motivate them to find the scent.
“We would pair, let’s say, the sweat samples with COVID, with their reward, and they notice that every time they find their reward, there’s that special smell,” she explained. “We just have to make it rewarding for the dog.”
She added, however, that the dog chooses the reward so trainers can ensure the canines “show up every day and want to do their job.”
Earlier this month, Dickey along with Heather Junqueira of BioScent, Inc. gathered several peer-reviewed studies into a review that was published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. Dickey said the number of peer-reviewed studies over the past few years went from four to 29, incorporating the work of more than 400 scientists from more than 30 countries and 31,000 samples.
The review noted the effectiveness of dogs’ ability to detect COVID-19 comes down to their noses.
“The nose is not like humans,” Simon said. “It’s massively different, orders of magnitude different, and they can detect things without us being able to smell them.”
Humans have about five to six million olfactory receptors in their noses, while dogs have hundreds of millions. One-third of their brain is devoted to the interpretation of smell — something only five per cent of a human’s brain is committed to, according to Dickey’s review.
The study found dogs’ noses may even be able to detect pre-symptomatic COVID-19 cases, or even those who will develop symptoms later.
Dickey told us in an interview that this could help limit or stop the virus from spreading.
“The longer the wait is between your test and your result, that’s a latent period,” he said. “During that time you’re running around spreading COVID and you don’t know it. The dogs with a direct sniff will be done in seconds.”
Many of the studies conducted, including the work at VCH through the Canine for Care program, have shown dogs’ ability to detect the disease correctly with a success rate of more than 90 per cent. Additionally, the studies also showed a high speed at which the dogs could identify cases. In one study in Thailand, researchers reported the dogs had gone through thousands of samples in just a few weeks.
“The dogs take only one to two seconds to detect the virus per sample. Once they detect a patient, they will sit down,” said Chulalongkorn University professor Kaywalee Chatdarong, who led the 2021 project. “This takes only one to two seconds. Within one minute, they can manage to go through 60 samples.”
Even though the research suggested deploying scent-detection dogs could also be less expensive than rapid or PCR tests, Charles cautioned the logistics that go into training the dog is where it becomes “more prohibitive.”
In VCH’s case, training of the dogs included the medical microbiology lab to provide samples for use, working with infection prevention teams and control nurses, and if a dog identifies an area of concern, cleaning services may need to be utilized. And when it comes to rolling out testing using the dogs, enough staffing is needed for mass screening.
Despite this, while Charles says deploying the dogs widely could be difficult due to staffing and training, they are still one of several tools that can be used in COVID-19 detection.
“I think the way to see those dogs from my perspective is really like another tool in the toolbox and trying to prevent further transmission of pathogen of concern,” she said.
Dickey and Junqueira say dogs should have a place in “serious diagnostic methodology” including in helping should the world face a future pandemic.
“15 Years Later: A Heartwarming Moment as a Dog Celebrates its First Birthday with a Cake and a Tear of Joy”
The aging dog had been a loyal companion to its owner for 15 years and a significant part of their life. The owner wanted to show gratitude for the dog’s unwavering companionship and decided to throw it a memorable birthday party. The party preparations were filled with anticipation and thrill, as the owner carefully selected decorations such as colorful balloons and streamers to create a joyful ambiance. A large banner flaunted on the wall, proudly announcing “Happy Birthday to our beloved companion!”
With a wildly wagging tail, the dog watched in pure joy and excitement as the celebration in honor of its existence unfolded. It was beyond thrilled that its owner had invited close friends and relatives who had witnessed its unwavering loyalty and attachment to its human over the years.
The scent of delicious snacks wafted through the air, tempting both the guests and the furry friend in attendance. The host had gone above and beyond to offer an array of tasty treats that catered to both human and canine taste buds. Plates were piled high with mouth-watering food, and a one-of-a-kind dog cake stole the show, complete with crunchy biscuits and a single candle.
As the time came to cut the cake, cheers and well-wishes filled the room. Surrounded by loved ones, the dog soaked up the warmth of the attention showered upon it. With a gentle paw, the pup even helped guide the knife, playing an active role in this special moment. The cake was divided and enjoyed, a thoughtful gesture symbolizing the bond between the dog and its human companions.
Throughout the day, the pooch relished the love and affection lavished upon it. It was treated to affectionate cuddles, indulgent tummy rubs, and heartfelt expressions of gratitude. The dog was filled with a deep sense of satisfaction, aware that its mere presence had made a difference in the lives of those around it, just as they had left an indelible mark on its own being.
The festivities carried on throughout the night, with fun and entertaining activities that brought smiles and happiness to all those in attendance. Despite being older and moving at a slower pace, the dog fully immersed itself in the festivities, cherishing every moment with pure joy. It seemed as though all of its troubles and worries had vanished, replaced with an overwhelming feeling of contentment and belonging.
As the party drew to a close, the dog cozied up next to its owner’s feet, overwhelmed with a profound sense of pleasure and adoration. Tears of happiness sparkled in its eyes, a testament to the depth of its emotions. This was a moment 15 years in the making, a celebration of its very existence, and one that would forever be etched in its memory.
In the end, it turned out to be more than just a regular birthday celebration. It was an occasion to commemorate the unwavering love that a dog has for its owner. It was a tribute to the enduring affection, loyalty, and happiness that a beloved pet brings into our lives. Moreover, it served as a gentle reminder to the elderly dog that it was still valued and that its journey had been exceptional.
As the night drew in, the dog drifted off to sleep, wrapped in a cocoon of love and gratitude. In its slumber, it relived the day’s events, the laughter, and the shared moments of joy. A smile crept onto its snout as it realized that it had borne witness to a remarkable milestone: a birthday bash that celebrated a lifetime of cherished memories.
Don’t forget to SHARE this heartwarming tale with those you hold dear.
Leave a Reply