MEDICAL SCENT DETECTION RESEARCH
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and are one of the world’s best biosensors. They have over 300 million scent receptors and their olfactory acuity is over 100,000 times stronger than humans. This combined with their ability to learn, has made them valuable allies in detecting bombs, drugs and various types of disease. Since 2014, Assistance Dogs of Hawaii (ADH) and our Infection Detection Dogs have led several research studies determining the capacity of dogs to identify disease in humans. The first study on dogs detecting bacterial infections was mentioned in the New England Journal of Medicine and published in Oxford Journal's Open Forum Infectious Diseases. In May 2022, another of our studies detecting COVID-19 was published in the same journal and can be read here.
ADH, a Maui based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and the Queens Medical Center completed a major research study, investigating dogs' ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 in people. The dogs achieved extremely high accuracy rates and the results are published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
PILOT PROJECT- SCREENING STUDENTS AT SCHOOL
A pilot project on Maui, in partnership with Seabury Hall, proved successful, where dogs provided additional screening for students and staff members.
ADH PARTNERS WITH THE QUEEN'S MEDICAL CENTER ON COVID-19 RESEARCH STUDY
MEET THE SUPER SNIFFERS
TESS
Age: 3
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Birthplace: Australia
Temperament:
Sweet and easy going
Favorite Thing: Napping
GEORGIA
Age: 1 1/2
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Birthplace: Maui
Temperament:
Calm and affectionate
Favorite Thing: Hiking
​
SADIE
Age: 6
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Birthplace: Maui
Temperament:
Intelligent and intuitive
Favorite Thing: Puppuccinos
​
GRACE
Age: 1 1/2
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Birthplace: Maui
Temperament:
Enthusiastic and dedicated
Favorite Thing: Playing
​
FAQ
HOW WILL DOGS BE ABLE TO HELP?
The goal of this pilot project is to determine the ability of medical detection dogs to screen students and staff for COVID-19 in a school setting. In the future, medical detection dogs may be deployed to other public places such as airports and hospitals to provide an additional, accurate, rapid and non-invasive screening method for COVID-19.
IS THE STUDY SAFE FOR DOGS, VOLUNTEERS AND RESEARCHERS?
WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE DOGS BE TRAINING AND WORKING?
The dogs are currently in training at the ADH Main Campus on Maui. They will be screening students and staff at Seabury Hall on Maui.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A DOG IDENTIFIES A PERSON'S SAMPLE AS POSITIVE?
If the dogs alert to a volunteer’s sweat sample as positive for COVID-19 while screening at the school, a follow-up RT-PCR test will be given immediately to confirm results within 15 minutes.
The dogs in Hawaii are being trained to detect COVID-19 in sweat samples, which does not carry the risk of transmission to animals or humans. Safety measures will be followed and PPE utilized, throughout this project.