As the availability of COVID-19 tests diminishes across Canada, an innovative alternative for virus detection comes in the form of man’s best friend. Multiple studies have revealed that trained scent dogs can be more effective, quicker, and potentially cheaper than the current tests on the market. This research has gained momentum since 2020 when Professor Tommy Dickey from the University of California Santa Barbara found that trained scent dogs are “as effective and often more effective” than rapid antigen and PCR tests. Despite their proven effectiveness, COVID-19-detecting dogs are only being deployed in select jurisdictions in various countries.
One such program is the Canines for Care initiative at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). VCH started exploring the possibility of training dogs to detect COVID-19 early in 2021. Dr. Marthe Charles, division head of medical microbiology and infection prevention and control at VCH, explained that this idea emerged due to the initial reliance on laboratory testing. The dogs were trained to recognize the scent of COVID-19 by being exposed to masks worn by patients who tested either negative or positive for the virus. This training allowed the dogs to differentiate between COVID-19 and other scents.
The dogs were trained from a young age to associate the scent of COVID-19 with food rewards. Dr. Carla Simon, owner of Hunter’s Heart Scent Detection Canines in Calgary, confirmed that this reward-based training method is common among dog trainers. By pairing the scent of COVID-19 with a reward, the dogs become motivated to detect the virus. Dr. Simon mentioned that the dog chooses the reward, ensuring their enthusiasm and dedication to the job.
In a recent review published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, Professor Dickey and Heather Junqueira of BioScent, Inc. analyzed several peer-reviewed studies. They discovered that dogs’ ability to detect COVID-19 is due to their exceptional olfactory capabilities. Dogs have hundreds of millions of olfactory receptors, compared to a human’s five to six million. They can detect odors that humans cannot, making them valuable assets in virus detection and potentially capable of identifying pre-symptomatic cases.
Not only have these studies shown dogs’ accuracy in detecting the virus to be over 90%, but they have also demonstrated their impressive speed. Dogs can detect the virus in just one to two seconds per sample. For example, a study conducted in Thailand reported that dogs could analyze 60 samples within one minute. This incredible speed makes them effective tools for mass screening in high-demand situations.
Although deploying scent-detection dogs may be cost-effective compared to other testing methods, logistical challenges exist in training and operational procedures. VCH faced challenges in coordinating with the medical microbiology lab, infection prevention teams, control nurses, and cleaning services. Additionally, sufficient staffing is required for widespread testing using the dogs. Despite these hurdles, scent-detection dogs are regarded as valuable tools in COVID-19 detection and prevention.
Dickey and Junqueira believe that dogs should have a place in serious diagnostic methodologies and could be vital in future pandemics. While their widespread deployment may pose challenges, these furry friends offer a unique and effective approach to virus detection.
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