A Publication of Guide Dog Users, Inc.
President: Sarah Calhoun
Editor: Andrea Giudice
Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI)
A special interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) since 1972
Toll-Free: 866.799.8436
From the President:
Hello GDUI members and friends!
As we work and play in the beautiful fall weather, approaching Halloween, pumpkins, apple cider and cozy times with our family and friends, I hope this season will bring you enjoyable moments during these uncertain times.
I am sorry to report, GDUI has lost a friend, devoted board member and a true advocate making a difference for the blind, visually impaired and disabled people across the country.
Charlie Crawford passed away on September 11, 2020 surrounded by his wife, Sue Crawford, Charlie’s guide dog, “His little Razen in the sun”, his family and friends. We will deeply miss him as he brought enthusiasm, laughter and made life lighter for everyone whose life he touched.
Thank you, Charlie, for making a difference with your love of advocacy efforts and the willing to speak out. We will miss your emails titled, “memorandums”, petitions, your jokes and friendship. Rest in Peace our dear friend.
On September 24, 2020, GDUI was invited to hold a community call with the Alliance for Aging Adults with Low Vision (AALV), hosted by Terry Pacheco. There were three guide dog school representatives who discussed their school policy and procedures in placing a guide dog with an older adult. Becky Floyd with Gallant Hearts, GDMI Wendy Eichler with Leader Dogs and Jim Kessler with The Seeing Eye gave excellent insight and information on this topic. We hope to hold similar calls in the near future!
In this edition of “Paws, News You Can Use”, are tributes to members we have lost, announcements, and exciting GDUI news! I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter!
We wish you all the best! Enjoy the wonderful fall season!
Sarah Calhoun & Lakota
GDUI President
Message from the editor:
Hello to all of you out there. I am starting with an apology. There have been far too many sleeps since the last issue of “Paws for GDUI News You Can Use”. I am not going to make excuses or give long, involved, complicated reasons for this, I am simply stating that I am sorry and will make strenuous efforts to do better going forward.
Speaking of going forward, this issue is filled with cool announcements, some with looming deadlines, and interesting articles. There are tributes to GDUI and ACB members and even a posthumous challenge to action. I recognize that this issue is a bit longer than usual, however, there is so much wonderful material to share I had a hard deciding what to put here and what to hold back for future issues. Read and enjoy- Andrea
Tributes from Penny for Charlie Crawford and Bob Hachey
9/11/20: We’ve lost a true advocate and friend,
And this is such a sad day for the blindness community. Charlie founded the first ACB state affiliate in Massachusetts, forty-nine years ago. He went on to head the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, and then to serve as Executive Director of ACB from 1998 to 2003. Charlie was such a wonderful advocate for those of us who rely on our guide dogs for independence and safety. It was knowing Charlie and his then Seeing Eye Dog, Ruthie, that led me to apply for my first guide dog, Glory – and Glory and Charlie had such a happy mutual admiration society going in that ACB national office!
Charlie has served several terms on GDUI’s Board, and we have been so fortunate to have Charlie chairing our Advocacy and Legislative Committee. No one who ever called Charlie with an advocacy issue left the call without knowing for certain how much he and GDUI cared about their civil rights.
It is particularly poignant that Charlie should pass away on the anniversary of 9-11. That terrible morning in 2001, his primary concern was that each one of the national office staff members get home safely from Downtown Washington, DC. So typical of Charlie, he made sure that every one of us was safely headed toward home and family before he and Ruthie found their way onto the Metro.
Charlie spent his entire adult life advocating for people with disabilities and the human and civil rights of all people. His caring nature has been a reminder to all of us who called him friend.
We are not sure how to get through this sad day or the ones that will follow without Charlie. He has been such a wonderful friend to so many of us and such an enthusiastic and effective advocate for all of our human and civil rights. Our best advice is to make the most of this and every day that comes, and to tell all the treasured people and dogs in our lives that we love them, as often as possible.
9/15/2020, I am so sad to learn that Bob Hachey passed away today
Bob was the kind of person I would have described to someone who had never met him as a “good guy,” kind and gregarious, a great teller of stories, and passionate about progressive causes and dedicated to justice for all.
The first time I met Bob, we were sitting next to one another on a bus, going somewhere – maybe to Capitol Hill, maybe to a group dinner, I think it was during an ACB Legislative Seminar. Bob shared some funny stories with me, and the thing I remember most about our conversation was that he told me how much he loved his wife, Donna, and many of the reasons why. I have never met Donna, but I always kept a soft spot in my heart for her, I knew I would like her.
Bob was dedicated to making life better for people who are blind, and to ACB in particular. He spent more hours than many of us would ever consider spending on e-mail, as a moderator for ACB’s e-mail discussion lists. As a moderator, he was patient and welcoming and thoroughly committed to civility and the free exchange of information.
My deepest sympathies to Donna and all of Bob’s friends and family members. Rest in peace, Bob. We will miss you.
Announcement: Time sensitive, opportunity ends on October 30, 2020)
Dear lover of audio description—
I want to share with you a note that I received from my good friend and colleague Dr. Anna Matamala based at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.
She has asked ACB to assist with providing survey respondents regarding research on audio description and its voicing (or prosody).
The survey link and an introductory note from Dr. Matamala is below. The researchers need to receive at least 30 responses. So please take 20 minutes to complete the survey and enlist one or two friends to complete it as well? There are two parts and 18 samples to listen to in each part. The survey uses checkboxes for audio sample 1 or 2, and “Play” to listen, “Replay” to review again.
Please complete the survey by Friday, October 30.
Thank you so much for your support of this important research project.
All best,
Joel
JOEL SNYDER, Ph.D., President, Audio Description Associates, LLC
Survey information:
What type of voices do you prefer?
This is what we are researching in the RAD project at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. It is a very relevant question for audio description and we would appreciate your help.
We have prepared an anonymous online test for native speakers of English with and without sight loss. You will hear different pairs of voices and you will have to select one. It will take about 20 minutes. Sometimes it will be difficult for you to make a choice between two voices but this happens to most participants, so do not worry and please do not leave the test.
If you have any questions, please contact anna.matamala@uab.cat
Link to the test: https://forms.gle/VbYnrUJS9LFuDMVL9
Announcement: GDUI FUNDRAISING PROJECT
(The last day to order is November 1, 2020)
Guide Dog Users, Inc. wishes to raise needed funds to forward our Universal Voting Program which allows all of our members to cast their votes for Officers and Directors.
Holiday Wreath
These lovely wreaths are wonderful to send to your relatives and friends. The wreaths will be delivered two weeks after Thanksgiving.
Description: An aromatic combination of Noble fir, berried Juniper and incense cedar. Touches of color provided by red faux holly berries. A bow is included for easy attaching.
Price: $45.
For your convenience, we have included a PayPal link in which our funds are sent directly to GDUI. The company will process your order. Here is the PayPal link: https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/guidedogusersinc
If you have any problems you may call the GDUI Office at: (866) 799-8436. If needed Sarah Calhoun will process your individual orders for home delivery.
We are including the Order Form so that you will know the answers to the questions that Sarah will ask you to complete your order. We will accept only credit card payments please.
Order Form:
Recipient’s First and Last Name:
Recipient’s Address (No PO Boxes/APO Addresses):
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Sender’s Name:
Sender’s Phone:
Sender’s email:
Greeting from (Name – 35-character limit):
Custom Message to Recipient (35-character limit)
Announcement:
Audio Description for the News?
We recently read about a podcast called “Talk Description To me”, on which an audio describer and a member of the blind and low vision community discuss and explore current events and topics.
You will hear vivid description of important images and details.
The most recent podcast described events of 9 11 in New York City.
For those who listen to podcasts, you can find Talk Description To me where you typically find podcasts.
For those who do not listen to podcasts using an app., you can go to the website https://talkdescriptiontome.buzzsprout.com to listen to episodes, and find out more information about the show hosts and purpose of the podcast.
Announcement: Public Service Announcement courtesy of Blind Bargains
Be My Eyes makes accessible voting information available through its app
Tangela Mahaffey Sep 30, 2020 10:03 PM ET
Voting is important, in 2020 perhaps more so than ever. However, the ongoing COVID19 changes mean that this process looks different than it has in years past. Be My Eyes is making accessible voting information available by state in its app. See the text of the Be My Eyes email, and find out about some patriotic items available from the National Braille Press, below.
As blind and low-vision people, we are underestimated and underrepresented every day of our lives. Voting in an election is our chance to change that. We may only turn out a few million strong, but in an election, that can make a big difference.
That’s why, for the 2020 presidential election, Be My Eyes and Vote.org are teaming up – to make sure that for any American with a visual impairment, the process of registering and preparing to vote is as clear and accessible as possible.
Using Be My Eyes, you can check whether you are registered to vote, be guided through registering if you are not already, and receive information about voting by mail and COVID-19 guidelines specific to your state. According to Will Butler, president of Be my Eyes, “In a time where social distancing is still a huge part of daily lives for all Americans, it’s more important than ever that everyone has a way to access all necessary information, to make sure that they are motivated and confident about voting come November.”
In order to access voting information and assistance, open the Be My Eyes app, enter the Specialized Help menu and select Vote.org from the list of available organizations in the “Civic Engagement” category. Vote.org volunteers will be open to take your calls through Be My Eyes Monday through Friday 12pm to 4pm ET.
Additionally, the National Braille press has begun to offer several braille and tactile items potentially of interest to voters across the nation. The Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States are available as a brf document or single volume braille book. You can receive 1 copy of these documents, in either downloadable braille file or physical braille book, free of charge, and can email the National Braille Press at orders@nbp.org to discuss the cost of receiving multiple copies.
The National Braille Press also provides a tactile American flag with the pledge of aleagance written in either contracted or uncontracted braille. The product description reads,
Does your child or student know what the American flag looks like? Have they read the Pledge of Allegiance?
These brilliant, red, white, and blue flags from KBTI feature tactile stars and stripes. The tactile horizontal red stripes are labeled with the lower case “r” at the far right, and the white stripes are labeled with the lower case “w.”
The Pledge of Allegiance is displayed in large print over the red and white stripes, in alternating black and white lettering, and is also written in braille over the red stripes. Immediately beneath the flag is a key in braille. Flags measure 7.5″ x 9.5″.
You can buy your tactile flag now for $5.00
Announcement: The following is a message from Aira
Have You Tried Aira at Starbucks?
Aira Test Underway in Stores in Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, Seattle, and Washington DC
Available Through mid-January 2021
Coffee anyone? Aira is pleased to announce a test program with Starbucks. And, we would love to know about your experience, and see your Starbucks selfies. For social media use #OnMyTerms @Starbucks @airaio.
Individuals who are blind or low vision can use the Aira service for assistance at Starbucks stores through mid-January 2021 in the following cities:
Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, Seattle, and Washington DC.
More information is available at www.Aira.io/Starbucks, including the full list of covered locations.
You will also find information about participating locations in the Aira app.
If you’ve always wanted to try Aira, this is a great way to test the service and have that iconic Starbucks experience. If you’re already an Aira Explorer, thank you, and take advantage of this offer to enhance your use of Aira. We are thrilled that Starbucks is taking this step to support blind customers as we all adjust to the current challenges. So, we encourage everyone to navigate to your local Starbucks with an Aira Agent. Maybe even incorporate it into a mobility lesson.
Aira can be used while at a Starbucks for up to 30 minutes for assistance with tasks, including:
- Reading in-store information
- Finding amenities such as the order counter or table
- Social Distancing in the line
- Finding the Starbucks itself
- And more.
Don’t forget, your Aira Agent can also get that perfect Starbucks Selfie for sharing on social media. Our customers have made the hash tag #OnMyTerms synonymous with Aira so feel free to use it when tagging. Social media handles, @Starbucks and @airaio can also be used. And, remember, you can always use your free five-minute call to plan your trip before you go.
To take advantage of this offer, all you need is a smartphone and the Aira app which is free from the Apple App or Google Play stores. Then, if you are not already an Aira Explorer, you will just need to set up a free account and you can use Aira Access locations for free just like Aira Explorers do.
If you have any questions, please email Paul Schroeder at Paul@Aira.io.
Announcement: Survey opportunity
My name is Joelle, and I am a Researcher with Accenture Interactive. Verizon Wireless is a client of ours that takes accessibility and universal design very seriously, and they have asked us to conduct an independent third-party evaluation of their website. I’ve included details about the study below.
The study consists of a 1-hour Zoom interview, where we will ask participants to share their screen (phone or desktop) and think out loud as they navigate Verizon and its competitors’ websites.
We ask that participants in this study meet the following requirements:
- Have a visual impairment or other disability for which they use a screen reader to interact with computer /smartphone and other devices
- Have the ability to log into the Zoom platform to participate in the study and can share their screen on either desktop or mobile
- Can dedicate up to 1 hour of their time for the Zoom interview
Participants will be provided an incentive in the form of a $50 Amazon gift card upon completing the study. If interested, please take this short survey. If you are selected, Accenture Interactive will contact you via email to schedule an interview. Interviews will take place the week of November 2nd and November 9th.
Announcement: On behalf of the Social Security Administration (SSA), we want to let you know that during the current coronavirus pandemic, SSA continues to provide help to you and others in your community.
While their offices are not providing service to walk-in visitors due to COVID-19, SSA remains committed to providing ongoing benefits and vital services. SSA asked me to let you know that they remain ready and able to help you by phone with most Social Security matters. You can speak with a representative by calling your local Social Security office or their National 800 Number. They provide local office phone numbers conveniently online with their Social Security Office Locator.
SSA also wants you to know they have many secure and convenient online services to:
- Apply for Retirement, Disability, and Medicare benefits,
- Check the status of an application or appeal,
- Request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas),
- Print a benefit verification letter, and
- Much more.
Most business with SSA can be done online, but they know that many people still rely on phone or in-person help. That’s why they want you to know you can still count on them by phone. And, if you have a critical situation, they cannot help you with by phone or online, they may be able to schedule an appointment for you.
If you need help from SSA, please don’t wait until they can see you in person. Reach out now and get the help you need.
Lastly, SSA also understands that getting medical and other documentation can be difficult due to the pandemic. So, they are continuing to extend certain deadlines wherever possible.
Announcement: From the Hill
A federal judge ruled that New York City has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not installing accessible pedestrian signals for the blind.
The lawsuit, brought by the American Council of the Blind in 2018, sued on behalf of plaintiffs Michael Golfo and Christina Curry, claiming that of the city’s 13,000 pedestrian traffic signals, just over 2 percent convey information in a way that is accessible to blind pedestrians.
Approximately 205,000 blind or otherwise visually-impaired people live in the city.
Announcement: From Amazon
To learn about Amazon accessibility research opportunities, please send email to
Article: Posthumous wisdom
By: Charlie Crawford
Author’s intention for writing this article, in his own words: “I thought I would write an article intended to spur some thinking within GDUI and the schools, since I think the subject is becoming more important.”
Some thoughts to give us PAWS, August 8, 2020
By: Charles H. Crawford.
Most of us are very familiar with the anxiety we all face when our dogs start advancing in years. Did you ever wonder what the dogs think as they observe us slowing down and just becoming a bit less demanding of their work?
Even more important, what are the schools thinking as more and more graduates still want to be partnered with dogs, but just don’t have all the physical resources they used to have. These questions are becoming more relevant and they will increasingly be on the minds of trainers, handlers, and those who have supported guide dogs for many years.
So, if the above is true, then isn’t it time that GDUI start meaningful conversations about it as well? I know of at least 2 cases where this topic is highly relevant and it will need addressing in the not too distant future! Let’s take our own Juno walk and see just what may be in store.
This current Juno walk is very different from our first one, where we learned the great potential this new method of mobility had for us. We now have to examine what potential we bring to the partnership, both positive and a bit less positive, and how those less optimal treats we bring will impact the dog in doing its job? Will we readily to recognize what the dog is telling us, and more importantly, will we be nimble enough to respond appropriately? If our pace/gate change, will our current dogs adjust to our decreased speed, or will we require a new and slower dog? With all the changes in our environment, are we still equipped to meet any new challenges? Even more problematically, how will we and our dogs adapt to the emergence of secondary disabilities which present new limitations with which we must cope?
I received my first guide dog from the Seeing Eye in the early 1970’s and so it has been quite a long time and 9 dogs since then. As much as I don’t like to think about it, I am not the man I used to be and while I have been able to work my dogs since the first, I am currently assessing my capacity to work with a dog who has the same expectation that my previous dogs had.
As the Chair of our GDUI Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Committee, I am seeing situations in which the old answers may not so readily apply. Using the old model of, “a good physically and mentally fit” human should be fine as half of a handler/guide partnership, but how does that adjust to new circumstances? A few schools have tried developing training programs for multi-disabled with varying degrees of success, however I must wonder how much attention has been paid to them? Answering the many questions that this topic raises is necessary, but who should do it and using what measures to determine viability and success? As a consumer organization, GDUI is an implicit partner in the success of guide dogs, and it just may now be the time for GDUI to work with our membership and the guide dog training programs to begin answering the questions that are increasingly more relevant.
Article: If It Weren’t for My Guide Dog, I May Have Given Up on Running
Article Link: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/deaf-blind-running-guide-dog
Maricar Marquez never goes for a run without her dog Cliff. Not because he whines if she leaves the house without him, but because Marquez is deaf and blind, and Cliff is her guide dog.
Marquez has a condition known as Usher syndrome. As a result, she was born deaf and with a progressive visual condition called retinitis pigmentosa. “It started off as night blindness. Eventually I started having tunnel vision, which means that my peripheral vision was diminishing. I used to be a visual signer but as I started losing my peripheral vision, I started relying on tactile sign language,” says Marquez, who is a supervisor of the independent living department at the Helen Keller National Center.
Not all guide dogs are trained to guide while running. In fact, Marquez and Cliff were connected through New York-based non-profit Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the only guide dog school with a Running Guides program. The ability to run with a guide dog, rather than relying on a human guide, has made a huge impact on Marquez’s ability to exercise — and, in her words, to feel free.
We asked Marquez about her relationship with Cliff and her love of running.
Refinery29: Did you always love running?
Maricar Marquez: “Not always. I have always been very active, though. I was on the volleyball team, but I have to admit I was a lousy player. I started experiencing peripheral vision loss and night blindness during high school, and it’s hard to find the ball when you have restricted visual fields.
“Back then, though, I wasn’t as active as I am today. I didn’t start running until I went to Gallaudet [University, a private university for the deaf and hard of hearing]. That’s where I developed my love for running and sports in general. Now I run, but I’m also an avid bike rider. I use a tandem bike… obviously I can’t ride on my own.
“I consider myself an all-around athlete. I enjoy trying new things like caving, swimming, rock climbing — I’m usually up for anything. I even tried sky diving.”
Had you ever run with a dog before Cliff?
“No. Guiding Eyes for the Blind is the only program in the country that has this type of running guide program. And while I have been involved in many races — including the New York City Marathon and the Oyster Bay Triathlon — before Cliff, I ran with a human guide.
“As I lost more and more of my vision, I had started to lose my motivation for running. I missed being active, so when I heard about this running program, I got excited. But the thought of running with a dog also made me nervous. I worried that he would just take off and I would be left in the dust.
“To make sure this didn’t happen I decided to get back to the gym and start working out again. I wanted to make sure I was able to keep up with him, so I started running on the treadmill at my workplace’s gym to improve my endurance and speed.”
What was the training like with Cliff?
“The first thing you need to do is develop a relationship with your dog. I remember meeting Cliff and falling in love right away. He is such a sweet, good-natured dog. We bonded immediately so there was no issue there. The bonding came very easily. Then we were able to start training.
“The running portion of our training also worked out perfectly from the start. Cliff followed my pace, and it was a very comfortable fit. I was excited and of course a little nervous too. I had waited two and a half years for Cliff. But he was well worth the wait.”
What’s it like running with Cliff compared to running with another person?
“When I’m running with Cliff, I feel more independent. I guess the word I would use is “free”. I’m not depending on another person. I depend on people for so much — it’s nice to be on my own.
“Don’t get me wrong, I still depend on people to provide me with visual information and facilitate communication with others when I’m in a race or a run. I’m thankful to all the people in my life for that. Cliff isn’t able to sign to me.
“But holding onto a human guide can be tricky when running. I have problems with my balance and using a human guide throws my balance off even more. Cliff has a special running harness. It’s very comfortable. I give the directions but Cliff guides me around any obstacles in our way. For example, I’ve been running on a boardwalk recently and he guides me around the people, benches, and any construction sites.”
What’s the biggest impact that Cliff has made on your life?
“I guess running would be the biggest impact. If I had gotten another dog who didn’t have this specialized training, I may not have gotten back into running and all the other activities that I love to do. He has given me the motivation to run, and to do other activities as well, because now I’m feeling good, I feel strong and in shape. We graduated in December 2018 from the GB and since then I’ve joined two races, a 5k, and a triathlon.
“I’ve completed many triathlons in the past, but it had been a few years since I had competed. I kept talking about it but never followed through. Then when I got Cliff I told myself I have no more excuses. It’s time to get back out there. So, I started training. If I didn’t have Cliff I don’t know if I would have had the motivation to get back to my active life. I’m thankful to him for that.”
Article: These Incredible Dogs Are Being Trained to Sniff Out COVID-19
How do you teach a dog to sniff out disease? We asked the charity responsible for training eight adorable pooches to talk us through it.
Storm, Star, Jasper, Digby, Norman, Asher, Kyp and Bramble.
They might sound like characters in an X-Men film – but they’re far more important than that. These names belong to eight dogs being trained to detect Covid-19 by sniffing it out.
The vision is that one day in the future, they (and a team of fellow canines) could be deployed in public places, such as airports and sports stadiums, to identify people who have the virus – including those who don’t show symptoms.
Historically, dogs trained at the Medical Detection Dogs HQ in Milton Keynes have detected a range of diseases including cancer and Parkinson’s. They can do this because of their heightened sense of smell – it’s thought 30% of the dog’s brain is dedicated to analyzing odour and the percentage of a dog’s brain devoted to analysing odours is 40 times larger than that of a human.
The Covid-19 detection dogs have been doing initial training to get used to the handlers, the training room and the system. Meanwhile, researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine are getting ready to collect samples of Covid-19 from NHS hospitals to be distributed to the centre.
Medical Detection Dogs
Asher the spaniel sniffs a sample in the training centre.
By the time the Covid-19 samples arrive on site, the dogs should be ready to detect the virus’ specific smell. They’ll do this by sniffing different samples in the charity’s training room, then indicating when they’ve found a positive Covid-19 sample by sitting down in front of it. There’ll be some tail-wagging, too.
The training method used is reward-based: dogs are given a treat or get to play a game of fetch when they make an accurate assessment, so they feel encouraged to detect it again and again.
The dogs recruited so far are a mixture of spaniels and Labradors – and there’s a reason for this. “All dogs and breeds have the capability to detect cancer, other diseases and crisis situations in humans,” the charity’s CEO and co-founder, Claire Guest, tells HuffPost UK.
“However, because our dogs screen samples on a carousel, we select breeds with a high hunt drive – the kind of dogs that chase a tennis ball 100 times and don’t get bored or tired. Our dogs are chosen according to their ability. It is important they have good noses and love searching and hunting for toys.”
Once the dogs have identified Covid-19 in samples, they’ll begin work on detecting the odour on actual human beings.
Neil Pollock
Star is one of the detection dogs being trained to sniff out Covid.
It can take six to eight months for a dog to reach a “good” level of performance as a bio-detection dog, says Guest. The eight dogs have already gone through this training.
“The length of time to train a bio-detection dog varies depending on a number of things, such as the odour they are being trained to detect, the sample type they are using, and the dog itself – all dogs learn at different speeds, the same as humans,” she adds.
Once the samples arrive, it’ll take six to eight weeks for them to learn the Covid-19 scent ready to go through to trials, so the centre should have a good understanding of whether the dogs can detect the smell of Covid-19 and to what level of accuracy by then.
The ultimate aim is that the team of detection dogs will be able to screen, without touching, any individual – including those who are asymptomatic – to see if they have the virus. They would then indicate to dog handlers if the person has Covid-19, and the person would need to take a test to confirm they have it. Amazingly, a single dog can screen up to 250 people per hour.
“Rapid screening of high numbers of people, even if asymptomatic, will help return our lives back to some sort of normality.”
HuffPost UK
Jasper
If they’re able to sniff out the virus, it would be a fast, effective and non-invasive testing method, and would make sure actual testing resources are only used where they’re really needed.
Trained dogs could also help assess the prevalence of disease among travellers from specific locations including current ‘hotspots’, says Professor James Logan, head of the department of disease control at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
“For example, using detector dogs at airports could help establish that 50% of passengers on a plane from destination A have the virus, whereas only 5% of passengers from destination B do,” he says. “This would provide rapid information of risk and likelihood of rapid spread.”
There are high hopes that the detector dogs could be deployed in under six months.
Prof Logan says that if successful, the trial could “revolutionise” how the virus is diagnosed: “Rapid screening of high numbers of people, even if asymptomatic, will help return our lives back to some sort of normality.”
Sincerely,
Sarah Calhoun, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Andrea Giudice, Editor
Paws for GDUI News You Can Use
Penny Reeder, Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President
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