Paws for GDUI – News You Can Use! – VOL. I, NO. 12, December 2020 – A Publication of Guide Dog Users, Inc.

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

https://guidedogusersinc.org/

Toll-Free: 866.799.8436

From the Editor: Hello fellow GDUISters,

I know we hear it all the time, “where has the time gone?” or, “How can it already be the third week of December?” Well… perhaps we hear that all the time because it is true. So, Where and How?

I have been putting writing this message as I feel conflicted about how I want to characterize 2020. My immediate, unthought out, response is that 2020 can’t be behind Mr. A’s tale, kind of like a huge, stinky pile of “busy, busy”, fast enough! However, upon reflection, I don’t actually want all of 2020 to be scooped up in a pick-up bag and tossed, just much of it!

I find myself reluctant to write off this year completely. Along with the drastic changes, extreme social and physical isolation, guide work frustrations, and worry that are part and parcel of COVID-19 – along with deep abiding personal challenges and losses- 2020 has also presented some silver linings along with its heap of horrible! As Mr. A and I stride along the snowy sidewalks of our neighborhood- his tail wagging, the leash loose, and sun shining down on us- I choose to believe this moment in time is a harbinger of better things in 2021.

Speaking of better things, this issue is packed with great stuff: advice to puppies from grown guides, stories about a future guide, another about a newly minted team, a seasonal poem, a tribute to a guide, informative announcements and articles, and, of course we have the message from our awesome leader woman! Read on, we have it all! Wishing you sanity in a time of     COVID Craziness! May 2021 be a year that doesn’t drive us to resort to single ply paper towels! Sending physically     distant hugs and wags, Andrea and Mr. A

From the President: Hello GDUI members and friends!

Lakota and I want to wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday season! No matter what type of beliefs and celebrations you hold dear to your heart, we wish you an enjoyable and special time with your loved ones.

This past year has certainly been a time of challenges, leading us to live our lives differently than ever before. The Covid 19 virus has struck so many people, loss of lives and has tested each one of us in ways we never knew we could endure.  My heart goes out to those who lost a family member, friend or both from this terrible virus.

During these past months as we had to be in isolation or quarantine, it has been a blessing to have our GDUI family and friends to chat and correspond with on guide dog related issues we encountered during this pandemic. I want to thank each one of you for supporting your fellow GDUI members and friends as we move forward to a, hopefully, better 2021!

GDUI will be developing a fun-filled, fantastic and worthwhile 2021 virtual convention! We wish we could meet in person, but knowing more people can attend the virtual convention is very exciting!

We are having a town hall meeting (details later in this issue) with the ACB advocacy committee to chat about the new final release from the Department of Transportation (DOT), on traveling by air with a service dog. We will talk about the two forms developed by DOT that airlines may have you complete prior to boarding the aircraft.

Other community calls are in development. If you have any suggestions, please email them to me at president@guidedogusersinc.org.

As 2020 draws to a close, please remember to renew your GDUI membership!  Reminders will be sent out on the chat lists. You can renew your membership by visiting our website at:

www.guidedogusersinc.org

Thank you for supporting this wonderful organization, guide dog schools and one another! Everyone is an important and valued member. My door is always open to chat or explore new avenues!

Again, we wish you a very happy holiday and a bright and healthy New Year!

Warmest regards,

Sarah Calhoun & Lakota

GDUI President

Announcement: Aforementioned community call.

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and Guide Dog Users Inc., (GDUI) advocacy committees will be holding a joint community call to discuss the final release by the Department of Transportation (DOT) traveling by air with a service dog. We will discuss the revised Aircraft Carrier Access Act (ACAA), forms to be completed by the service dog handler prior to boarding the aircraft and more.

Please join us on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.  to 7:00 p.m. EST. The call-in information will be shared several days prior to the call.

Additional information on the final release by DOT:

Executive Summary

This final rule defines a service animal as a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit

of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. It allows airlines to recognize emotional support animals as pets, rather than service animals, and permits airlines to limit the number of service animals that one passenger can bring onboard an aircraft to two service animals.

The final rule also allows airlines to require passengers with a disability traveling with a service animal to complete and submit to the airline a form,

developed by DOT, attesting to the animal’s training and good behavior, and certifying the animal’s good health. For flight segments of eight hours or

more, the rule allows airlines to require passengers to complete and submit a DOT form attesting that the animal has the ability either not to relieve

itself on a long flight or to relieve itself in a sanitary manner. In addition, this final rule allows airlines to require a service animal user to provide

these forms up to 48 hours in advance of the date of travel if the passenger’s reservation was made prior to that time. As an alternative, airlines may

require a passenger with a disability seeking to travel with a service animal in the cabin to provide the forms at the passenger’s departure gate on the

date of travel. However, the final rule prohibits airlines from requiring that a passenger physically check-in at the airport solely on the basis that

the individual is traveling with a service animal, thus ensuring that service animal users are not prevented from enjoying the same convenience-related

benefits provided to other passengers, such as online and curbside check-in. Service animal users may use the online check-in process available to the general public.

To read the final rule as published in the federal registry go to:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/10/2020-26679/traveling-by-air-with-service-animals

Announcement: Great gift idea- any holiday or celebration, any time of year- for all the braille readers you know!

Braille Edition of Disabilities Act at 30, $14.00

Publisher: Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired

https://store.nytimes.com/collections/special-sections/products/braille-edition-of-disabilities-act-at-30?variant=32033141391430

Overview: This is a special embossed Braille edition of The Times’s Disabilities Act at 30 newsprint section. With more than two dozen articles and first-hand stories, this extra-accessible publication explores how the Americans With Disabilities Act has shaped modern life for people with disabilities in the 30 years since it was passed.

Announcement: Christmas Eve ACB Radio Press Release

This year, the American Council of the Blind (ACB), VITAC, and The Lumistella Company are proud to offer a special radio broadcast of the animated holiday special, “Elf Pets: A Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale,” on ACB Radio, to make holiday cheer more widely available to all this season. The Christmas Eve program will also feature a special audio described production of Rory Hoffman’s “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, a visit from Santa himself, and live phone calls from kids. The program will close with an historic airing of an audio described version of the 2015 White House holiday greeting including a tour of The White House at Christmas time.

“The holidays are a wonderful time for gathering with family,” said Dan Spoone, president of the American Council of the Blind. “And even if you can’t be together physically, we can all join each other in our respective homes and listen to the sounds of the season. We’re grateful to the creators of The Elf on the Shelf® series, musician Rory Hoffman, and VITAC for the chance to share audio described versions of classic holiday entertainment. And Santa will be with us, too! What could be better?”

  • “Elf Pets: A Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale” will air at 7 PM ET on December 24, 2020. The program

For more information about the Audio Description Project:

Contact Joel Snyder, PhD, Director, ACB’s Audio Description Project

202 467-5083 – jsnyder@acb.org

  • ACB Radio is a non-profit, internet-based, audio-only live stream. You can listen at

http://acbradio.org/cafe or ask your Amazon device to “Open ACB Radio Café.”

You can also listen via telephone by calling (518) 906-1820 and selecting number 4 for the ACB Radio Café.

Announcement: It’s Not the Holidays ’til the Angels Sing

If COVID has made it impossible for you to attend your usual holiday concerts, then this might be just the ticket. Here is a zoom concert that the Angel City Chorale put together.

“Our concert has been made accessible to be enjoyed by all! Closed captioning (CC) is available, and for our blind and visually impaired friends, we have supplied descriptions of the concert’s visual elements. These descriptions are available as either a plain text file or an audio file.”

Announcement: More audio description news

The American Council of the Blind’s Audio Description Project Announces Its Seventeenth AUDIO DESCRIPTION INSTITUTE

March 1-5, 2021

http://weblink.donorperfect.com/2021AudioDescriptionInstitute

From the Editor: I have to admit, with tremendous sheepishness, that I had never visited the Audio Description Project website to learn more about what was there. I remedied this because of the above two announcements. What a Treat I was in for! I found information on why audio description is needed in commercials, listings of Christmas-themed videos from popular streaming services, audio described DVDs and Blu-ray discs, and so much more! Check it all out!

www.acb.org/adp

Announcement: About the Wreaths… from a satisfied customer

I wanted to let you, and the GDUI board, know that the Christmas Wreath fundraiser was a hit with everyone I ordered a wreath for. I think it is a good fundraising project, and a good gift idea. I ordered 5 for family and friends. My husband said he was impressed with the quality and attractiveness of the wreath.

I just wanted to let you all know the wreath was a hit in the Hill-Kennedy household. I hope you all decide to do the wreath fundraiser again next year. I’ll order more!

Thanks,

Merrilee

(Merrilee, and everyone who supported GDUI by purchasing Wreaths, thanks heaps and piles!!

Sarah, Penny and Andrea

Article: Raising a Future Guide Dog

Hadley learning expert Jessica Smith shares her experience raising a puppy that may eventually become a guide dog. She covers what she’s learned and things to consider if you’d like to volunteer to help out a guide dog school.

https://hadley.edu/podcasts/hadley-presents-conversation-experts/raising-future-guide-dog?utm_source=ESS+Learner+List&utm_campaign=3a7a1bf2be-hadleypresents-ep24-ess_12-3-2020&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_01363d0cec-3a7a1bf2be-47971177&mc_cid=3a7a1bf2be&mc_eid=74f8442332

A downloadable transcript is available on our site: hadley.edu

Article: Tribute to a Guide

(Michael, the editing team here at Paws apologizes for not publishing this sooner, technical difficulties caused the delay)

Ann’s retired guide dog, Hansel C. Byington, crossed over the rainbow bridge today. The C, was for “Clanger” because he loved to take his food dish out of the doggie diner and clang it over almost anything, he could hit it against. Hansel was a good guide for Ann, but his life also excelled in some other areas. He was a great social worker.

Ann was paired with Hansel in 2010 when he was at the age of two years. He had a lot of puppy left in him, but eventually he grew up to be a responsible guide. He was a gentle and loving dog, not only to us, but to others as well.  We will provide some examples of this.

We have a friend, Angel, who has spent most Christmas days with us over many years. In 2012, Angel said she did not think she could come for Christmas, because one of her little dogs had just had puppies, and they were very young. They were not thriving yet, and she did not think she should leave them and the mother alone. We invited her to bundle the little mother dog and tiny puppies up and bring them with her. We were not sure how Hansel would react to this, but we thought we could keep them separated if necessary.

It was absolutely not necessary. Hansel was curious when they all arrived, but he ran up, looked in the basket once they were unbundled, and suddenly became very, very sweet and gentle. The little mother dog sensed his good will and did not try to get him to get away. She let him admire, and I believe, even nuzzle the puppies. Also, when Hansel and Ann came back from guide dog school at KSDS, we still had Ann’s retired guide dog, Cleo, living with us as well.

Cleo lived to be 15, so Hansel and she had several years together. Cleo had some medical problems, and needed our help sometimes, but she seemed happy and not ready to leave this world until the age of 15. When Cleo needed our help, particularly in the morning before we had gotten up, Hansel would bark to get us to come and help Cleo. When Cleo did finally die, later that day, Hansel sat stock still in front of Cleo’s doggie diner for over an hour seemingly in meditation. We think that perhaps their spirits were communicating.

In 2013, Michael’s cousin O.C. (Chip) king moved into the Byington’s big purple house with them. Chip was an over the road truck driver, but a medical incident had caused him to be off of the road. Chip had a rehabilitation process to go through, and Hansel immediately sensed Chip’s need. He was loving and supportive, and Chip and he used to go for long walks together. Hansel started sleeping with Chip in his room. Ann was still using Hansel as a guide, but she was developing a rather severe hearing impairment which did not allow her to travel as independently as she used to.

Hansel seemed to substitute the tasks that Ann no longer was asking him to do with the goal of helping Chip recover his health in order to get back behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler.  Chip was able to return to truck driving about a year and a half later in 2014, and moved out of the big purple house. There is no doubt, however, that Hansel contributed significantly to his recovery. Chip was killed in 2019 due to a trucking accident, not related to the medical problem which caused him to be off of the road for a while. He was delivering emergency supplies to hurricane victims in North Carolina at the time. Chip died doing what he loved to do, and Hansel deserves much of the credit for helping Chip be able to get back to his beloved profession of truck driving.

Shortly after Chip left the Byington’s big, purple house, Ann and Michael invited a member of their church, Gary Dashnaw to rent part of their big, purple house. Gary was a single gentleman who had some medical issues. He had had to leave his long-time job as a hospital intake worker because of these difficulties, and shortly after that, his car was stolen, he was assaulted by the car thief, and these things had further impacted both his physical and mental health. He had been living in a terrible apartment, and he was very depressed.

Hansel immediately seemed to understand Gary’s needs. He forced Gary back out of his shell, and Gary and Hansel started spending time at the local Topeka Bark Park. By this time Ann was losing quite a bit more hearing. She still benefitted from Hansel’s services as a guide. But she was not getting out and traveling as much as she used to, so Hansel had some additional time to offer to Gary. Gary thrived and was able to return to part time employment, and to a very full and active life.

Again, Ann and Michael are not sure that they could have helped Gary without Hansel. He really took the lead in Gary’s recovery. Gary died of effects of pancreatitis in 2017, but there is no doubt that Hansel allowed him to live a full and active life during his last three years. Hansel continued to be a very full and supportive part of Ann and Michael’s lives, and Ann still benefitted from his guide work some through the first part of 2018. In mid-2016, however, Hansel was diagnosed as having the beginnings of lymphoma cancer.

The vet said he could continue to be active, but said that, on average, dogs with this diagnosis, made at this stage of the disease, usually lived about another two years. The vet recommended no aggressive treatment. By the time of the diagnosis, Hansel was eight years of age, and this prediction would have allowed him to live to around 10 years. Hansel outstripped the vet’s prediction, however. He was just a few days past the age of 12 upon his death.

We believe that part of the reason that Hansel was able to put the cancer into partial remission, and live an additional two years past what was predicted, was his love for Ann and Michael. Through Ann’s life, she has worked with six guide dogs. The loss of each has of course been very difficult. This one is perhaps the most difficult though, because, at age 72, and with a fairly severe hearing impairment, as well as total blindness, Ann does not have plans to train with a seventh guide dog. Hansel was more than a friend, not only to the two of us, but to others who became important and loved by us. He helped those others, and us, in more ways emotionally than we can ever define. The one comfort that we have with this loss, and that was not present for the loss of the other guide dogs is that we know that Chip and Gary will again get to commune with their buddy, Hansel.

Hansel C. Byington, February 12, 2008—March 4, 2020

Article: How to Train a Raiser

(Please know that this is shared in good fun, all of us, guides and handlers alike, have the upmost respect, gratitude and awe for the stupendous, amazing, astounding, astonishing, extraordinary, and remarkable job you do in shaping and transforming little wiggly pups in to mature, confident, well-mannered dogs!)

Ok Puppies, your mission is to train your raiser to the best of your ability. Here are a few suggestions to get you off to a good start.

  1. “Puppy eyes” These are the first and foremost of your assets. You will use them first thing off the puppy truck to “hook” your raiser and you will use them often afterward. Practice “the look”. Use it early. Use it often.
  1. “Puppy breath” This is the second thing raisers can’t resist. It only lasts a short while, so take full advantage of it. It won’t be long before your raiser is saying,”eww!” to your kisses. Early training in enticing hugs is essential.
  1. “The Grab and Run” This is a game where you grab something (preferably something forbidden, like a shoe) and run with it. Your raiser should be fast enough to quickly step on your dragline. However, for first time raisers this is a real challenge. Even experienced raisers have to relearn this skill. It is your job to give them enough practice that they stay in top form.
  1. “The Disappearing Food Act” In this game, it is your job to eat your meal as quickly as possible. Pushing your food bowl around the room at the same time is particularly helpful. Your raiser is sure to assume you are “starving”. It won’t be long before he/she is telling the club leader that you need more food.
  1. “You Expect Me to Eat That?” This is just the opposite of the previous idea. This time after you have been given the “OK” to eat, you just sit and stare at the bowl. I know this is hard, but the results are well worth it. Both of these ideas make sure your raiser is keeping a good eye on you.
  1. “You Want to Do WHAT to My Nails” Raisers think it is their job to keep your nails as short as possible. It is your job to be as wiggly as you can. This helps teach your raiser patience. This also works well with ear cleaning, tooth brushing and grooming.
  1. “The Pull and Lag” I know this sounds contradictory, but that is the idea. In this training session you alternately switch between lunging ahead and lagging behind. It will eventually get you a correction, but it is sure to keep your raiser on his/her toes. This is important in training a good raiser.
  1. “I Can’t Hear You!” This lesson can be lots of fun. When given a command, just pretend you didn’t hear it. An inexperienced raiser will often repeat the command several times until you comply. It is your job to teach your raiser to only tell you something only one time. Once they start to get the hang of this you can gradually

increase your obedience response.

  1. “The Perfect Puppy” This one has to be my favorite exercise. When you are old enough to go out, always be “the perfect puppy” on outings. In combination with your good looks, this polite behavior always invites comments from the adoring public. It is great publicity for all of us Guide Dogs and the boost of confidence makes your raiser work even harder.

So, puppies, as you go out on your journey to becoming a Guide Dog, use these basic principles to train your raiser. Your program depends on you to make sure your raiser is properly educated. Enjoy your family and keep up the good work!

Article: This poem, like the proverbial fruit cake, has been passed around- year after year, guide handler to puppy raiser to instructor, and from inbox to inbox, – many times, however, it is simply that good, and that unstoppable! *smile*

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Copyright C 1996 Jenine Stanley

‘Twas the night before Christmas and the kennels were still,

with most dogs now asleep having eaten their fill.

The Labradors sprawled out, quite snug in their beds,

while visions of ANYTHING edible danced in their heads.

And the Goldens and Shepherds curled up on the floor,

some twitched in their sleep and some even did snore.

The dog food was stacked in the feed room with care,

in hopes that a trainer soon would be there.

On the window ledge, one of the kennel cats lay,

surveying the lawn at the end of this day.

Something was different, that little cat knew.

Tonight something would happen, it had to be true.

For that day as the workers had left to go home,

They’d wished Merry Christmas! before starting to roam.

The dogs had noticed it to during this past week’s walks,

the trainers seemed just that much happier and eager to talk.

In the mall where they worked through the maze of people and stores,

there were decorations and music and distractions galore!

Most dogs pranced along without worry or fear,

but some balked at the man on the sleigh and those fake looking deer.

The cat was almost asleep when he first heard the sound,

a whoosh through the air and a jingle around.

It reminded him of a dog’s collar when the animal shook,

but this sound kept on growing. He’d better go look.

From the ceiling there came a faint sort of thunk,

as the kennel cat climbed to the highest pile of junk.

Once before people had worked on the roof,

and come down through the trap door to a chorus of “Woooof!”

But the dogs still were quiet, all sleeping so sound,

as this man dressed in red made his way right on down.

He patted the cat as he climbed past his spot,

then made his way right to the trainers’ coffee pot.

A shepherd sat up, not fully awake,

then a Golden followed her with a mighty loud shake.

That did it! All the dogs sprang to life with loud noise.

In spite of the din, the old man kept his poise.

He filled the pot full and it started to brew,

then he pulled up a chair and took in the view.

Dogs all around him, so carefully bred,

he knew well their jobs, the blind people they led.

Some had stopped barking and looked at him now,

while others delighted in their own deafening howl.

Laying a finger in front of his lips,

the jolly old man silenced the excitable yips.

“You all may not know me, but I’m Santa Claus,”

the old man smiled and took a short pause,

While he filled up his mug with hot liquid and cream,

“I’ve always wanted to stop here. It’s been one of my dreams.”

The cat had climbed down and was exploring Santa’s sack.

“Yes, little kitty, that’s an empty pack.”

Santa smiled as he drank and looked at those eyes,

deep brown ones and gold ones held wide in surprise.

Some of these dogs, he’d seen just last year,

He’d seen the effects of a pup on the tree,

but now they were here at the school, just waiting to be.

“I didn’t bring you presents or bones just to chew.

I’ll tell you something better, what you are going to do.”

“You all will work hard and the trainers will share,

both praise and correction, gentle and fair.”

“You’ll go lots of places and face big scary things.

You’ll ride buses and subways and hear fire sirens ring.”

“Cars will drive at you but you will stand strong,

not moving into danger, not moving toward wrong.”

“And then just when you think that this trainer’s the best,

the kindest, and funnest person, toss away all the rest,”

“That trainer will begin to ignore you and give you away,

handing your leash over despite your dismay.

“Now the person who pets you and feeds you will be

a blind person. That’s a person who can’t see.”

” This man or this woman may see just a tad,

but their view’s missing parts or the focus is bad.”

“So you, well trained dogs, will act as their eyes.

You will work as a team and discover the size”

“Of this great world we live in, because you will go

a million new places with this person, you know.”

Santa sipped at his coffee and looked over the brood,

knowing what he had to say next might sound kind of rude.

“Not all of you will make it and become canine guides.

Your time here isn’t wasted though. You won’t be cast aside.”

“Some of you will be drug dogs and some will find bombs.

Some will become pets in a home with a dad and a mom.”

“All these things are important. People wait on long lists,

to receive such good dogs as you, the school folks insist.”

The last drop of coffee had gone into his cup

as Santa turned, smiling at each wide-eyed pup.

“The best gift of all is to give something back.

That’s why there’s nothing for you all inside of my pack.”

Draining his mug, Santa went to each pen,

and petted and scratched each dog again and again.

“Now next year and many more years after that,

you all will give gifts wherever you’re at.”

“You might lick a hand that’s had a bad day,

Or notice a car and step out of the way.”

“You might help catch a crook or discover some loot,

Or just bring some joy to a tired old man in a funny red suit.”

“Your master will love you and treat you with care.

In return, your training and trust will always be there.”

After the last dog had been petted and soothed,

Santa put away the coffee pot and made ready to move.

Up the ladder he rose to the door high above,

with a smile and a wave as he slipped on his gloves.

And all the dog ears were pricked as he disappeared out of sight.

“merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!”

Article: (Shared by the DisabilityGrapeVine)

Sarah, Penny and I- personally and on behalf of GDUI- thank the Disability Grapevine for keeping us so well informed and so often being the voice of reason & transparency that saves our sanity!

Dogs trained to detect people infected with COVID-19 – by sniffing their armpits

(Excerpted from an article at https://www.studyfinds.org/dogs-detect-covid-by-sniffing-armpits/)

December 11, 2020

MAISONS-ALFORT, France – While a vaccine for the coronavirus will help stop the pandemic’s spread, finding everyone who may be carrying the virus is still an issue. Luckily, man’s best friend is now on the case. Researchers in France are helping to specially train dogs to detect people infected with COVID-19 – by sniffing their armpits.

A new study that has seen pilot programs spring up around the world has

discovered that dogs can sniff out coronavirus in the sweat of humans. Thanks to their famously acute sense of smell, dogs have been rooting out drugs, explosives, and even successfully picking up diseases like cancer for years. A team of French scientists have now shown man’s best friend can also help save lives during the pandemic by spotting the virus.

The French scientists are now showing how our furry friends can also help save lives during the pandemic by spotting virus clues. An early experiment suggested canines could be between 75 and 100 percent effective at detecting the disease with their noses.

Dogs paw-trolling airports for COVID?

The technique has already been piloted in several countries including the UEA, Lebanon, Finland, Australia, and elsewhere. Travelers may already have seen the specially trained dogs at some airports, but researchers are still trying to prove, without a doubt, that dogs can pick up the scent before the method is fully adopted. The team behind the study hope their findings will mean dogs could help with COVID aid in parts of the world without the infrastructure for expensive mass testing programs. The loveable animals could be used anywhere however, with the hope that invasive nasal swabs could be replaced by a simple sweat sample taken from the armpit for a dog to sniff.

Mass testing alternative?

Professor Dominique Grandjean, from the National Veterinary School of Alfort in France, says the dogs could check a large number of people in a short period of time. “The results are good and I’m happy, really happy,” Grandjean says in a statement, per SWNS. “It is a success technically and scientifically and it’s surprising because we didn’t know what we were going to have as results.” During the study, which started in March, the researchers recruited six dogs previously trained to sniff out bombs, colon cancer, or were used in search and rescue missions and re-trained to detect COVID-19. They then collected sweat samples from 177 people (95 with COVID-19 and 82 without) and then placed the samples inside cones for the dogs to sniff. In trials, the dogs successfully picked out the infected sweat when examining a line-up of mock and negative samples. Although the published study is just a “proof of concept” and cannot be taken as absolute proof, Professor Grandjean and his team have now carried out further studies to validate their results and have more planned in 2021. They have also issued a “practical guide” to other academics to help others in their research and are building up a set of “international training standards” for dogs.

“We have been validated by the World Health Organization and they have given us a bit of money which is good. “Probably the country which is the most advanced now is the UAE, where they have dogs in three international airports. They are deploying some mobile units to go to the villages and to the people that might be more exposed to the virus,” the professor explains. “For us here the idea was, of course, the airports but I can imagine a small city having a couple of dogs and just saying to the population ‘you can be tested whenever you want.’ You just come and put a swab under your armpit and give that to the dog and he will tell you yes or no. The dogs would be able to do that very quickly on a large number of people.” Grandjean adds that dogs could also be used where people are reluctant to have uncomfortable nasal swab tests. “We have been working with lots of countries. I think we have 20 countries working for us. It’s amazing, really amazing,” Professor Grandjean concludes.

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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