Another Compelling Reason to Adore Dogs: Their Ability to Detect COVID-19

Updated: June 4, 2021

Originally Published: June 4, 2021

Dog enthusiasts are well aware of the many reasons to cherish their furry companions. From their unwavering loyalty to their snuggly nature, dogs have a unique ability to sense our emotions. I’ve seen my rescue pup curl up next to my partner whenever he napped during his final days battling brain cancer.

Now, there’s yet another reason to appreciate dogs. (As if we needed more!) Alongside vaccination efforts and enhanced testing capabilities, dogs might play a crucial role in combating our global health crisis. Canines around the globe are being trained to detect COVID-19 purely by scent. Countries like Thailand, France, the UK, Chile, Australia, Belgium, and Germany are all working on training dogs to identify COVID-19. In fact, dogs have already been deployed for this purpose in airports across Finland, Lebanon, and the UAE. A pilot study conducted at the University of Helsinki concluded that dogs “could even be more sensitive than many of the tests currently available.”

Dogs Have an Exceptional Sense of Smell

To grasp how this works, it’s essential to recognize that dogs possess an extraordinary sense of smell. With about 220 million scent receptors compared to a mere 5 million in humans, their olfactory system is approximately 10,000 times more precise than ours. This impressive ability enables them to detect “a single drop of liquid in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools!” Additionally, dogs can differentiate between right and left scents and can inhale up to 300 times per minute.

Dogs Can Accurately Detect COVID-19

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine discovered that specially trained detection dogs can identify COVID-19 positive samples with 96% accuracy. In their study, eight Labrador retrievers and one Belgian Malinois, who had no prior medical detection experience, were trained. Remarkably, after just three weeks, all nine dogs could accurately identify COVID-19 positive samples. One minor issue arose when they responded to a sample from a patient who had previously been infected but tested negative.

Even with that challenge, the dogs outperformed temperature screenings, which often fail to detect asymptomatic individuals. Dogs can identify infections by recognizing a “trademark scent” produced in the lungs and trachea of those infected. This method of screening is quick, efficient, and non-invasive.

The Virus Likely Lacks a Distinct Smell

It’s important to note that the virus itself doesn’t have an identifiable smell. Instead, dogs are detecting subtle odors associated with individuals infected with COVID-19, according to Dr. Samuel Greene, a toxicology professor at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. Dogs excel at identifying these faint scents amidst a mix of natural odors. Dr. Emily Clark, director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Working Dog Center, emphasizes the dogs’ ability to be specific while generalizing across different backgrounds.

The Training Process Requires Patience

Dr. Greene elaborated on the training process, explaining that trainers first introduce the specific odor sample. This is repeated until the dog recognizes the scent. As training progresses, distractions are added, and rewards are provided for correct identifications. Patience is key to successful training.

At the University of Pennsylvania, these dogs began with general scent detection before moving on to COVID-specific training.

Beyond COVID Detection

Many of us have observed scent detection dogs in action—whether at airports or in various media. While these dogs are often used to detect drugs and explosives, they can also be trained to identify several diseases. Dogs have been successful in detecting various cancers, malaria, and even Parkinson’s disease. In some cases, they can recognize disease markers that medical tests may miss. Furthermore, dogs can assist diabetic patients by alerting them to fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

While we may still be some time away from widespread use of dogs in crowded settings such as airports or concerts, their capabilities hold great promise for revolutionizing how we manage this virus, especially in high-risk environments. Any advancement that brings us closer to overcoming this pandemic is undoubtedly worth pursuing. For more information on home insemination, check out this other blog post.

Summary

Dogs possess an exceptional sense of smell that allows them to detect COVID-19 with high accuracy, making them potential allies in combating the pandemic. Their training process is detailed and requires patience, but the implications for public health are significant. Beyond COVID-19, dogs can also identify various diseases, showcasing their remarkable abilities and potential roles in healthcare.

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