In a groundbreaking development, researchers have unveiled the remarkable ability of specially trained dogs to detect post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from human breath samples.
U.S. military K9 Conan, the dog that assisted Special Forces soliders in the raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, poses for photographs with U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and first lady Melania Trump on the Rose Garden colonnade at the White House November 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. Trump talked about how the dog was a hero and said he presented the animal with a medal and a plaque. (Photo : Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Unveiling Ivy, Callie's Remarkable Talent
Meet Ivy and Callie, two canine heroes equipped with an extraordinary talent for sniffing out stress, showcasing once again why dogs are considered our loyal companions and four-legged heroes.
The study, led by Laura Kiiroja of Dalhousie University, delves into the potential of utilizing dogs to identify PTSD, a condition that manifests in individuals who have undergone traumatic experiences.
Unlike conventional methods that rely on behavioral and physical cues, EurekAlert reported that the research highlights the efficacy of canine olfaction in discerning "oncoming PTSD flashbacks."
The innovative approach involves training dogs to recognize trauma stress solely through the analysis of human breath. This discovery opens new avenues for PTSD service dogs, which are traditionally trained to provide assistance during distressing episodes.
According to Kiiroja, while these dogs are adept at responding to observable cues, the study demonstrates their capability to detect such episodes through breath analysis, marking a significant advancement in canine-assisted therapy.
Experts theorize that dogs might serve as a crucial intervention in thwarting potential flashbacks of past traumatic experiences endured by individuals. This research centers on the distinctive "scent profile" of humans, tied to volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
VOCs are molecules emitted by the body in various secretions like sweat, influenced by factors such as genetics, age, and activities. The study delves into the possibility of training canines to recognize VOCs associated with symptoms of PTSD.
Ivy and Callie's Role in PTSD Detection
A group of 26 individuals who had undergone trauma and experienced subsequent flashbacks were enlisted. During the study sessions, participants were equipped with different facemasks while recalling their traumatic experiences.
One facemask served to capture a sample of calm breath, contrasting with the other worn during recollection sessions to collect breath samples associated with stress.
These sessions enabled researchers to gather the targeted breath samples indicative of stress. Ivy and Callie, two trained canines, were enlisted to identify the stress-related odors present on the facemasks, relying on their acute sense of smell.
Laura Kiiroja, a key figure in the study, remarked on the dogs' enthusiasm for the task at hand, emphasizing their eagerness and unwavering focus, particularly driven by the promise of tasty treats.
In their evaluations, Ivy demonstrated a recognition accuracy of 74%, while Callie exhibited an accuracy of 81% in identifying volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with stress.
Furthermore, the researchers compared Callie and Ivy's successful identifications to the subjects' self-reported feelings. Their performances correlated with different emotions, with Ivy attuned to "anxiety" and Callie to "shame."
Despite both dogs achieving remarkably high accuracy rates, they appeared to interpret 'stressed' breath samples slightly differently. The authors underscored that this study serves as a preliminary exploration of the concept.
They intend to conduct more extensive research involving a larger sample size to validate their findings. Moreover, this expanded investigation will encompass participants who have encountered more severe stressors, aiming to ascertain dogs' ability to detect stress-related volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through breath samples.
