The Use and Potential of Biomedical Detection Dogs During a Disease Outbreak

Michele N Maughan; Eric M Best; Jenna Dianne Gadberry; Caitlin E Sharpes; Kelley L Evans; Calvin C Chue; Patrick Lawrence Nolan; Patricia E Buckley

doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.848090

The Use and Potential of Biomedical Detection Dogs During a Disease Outbreak

Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Apr 4:9:848090. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.848090. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Michele N Maughan¹, Eric M Best², Jenna Dianne Gadberry³, Caitlin E Sharpes¹, Kelley L Evans⁴, Calvin C Chue⁴, Patrick Lawrence Nolan⁵, Patricia E Buckley⁴

Affiliations

¹ Excet, Inc., Springfield, VA, United States.
² Penn State Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA, United States.
³ Intrinsic24, LLC, Hayden, ID, United States.
⁴ Biochemistry Branch, U.S. Army DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, United States.
⁵ Tactical Directional Canine Systems, LLC, Smithsburg, MD, United States.

Abstract

Biomedical detection dogs offer incredible advantages during disease outbreaks that are presently unmatched by current technologies, however, dogs still face hurdles of implementation due to lack of inter-governmental cooperation and acceptance by the public health community. Here, we refine the definition of a biomedical detection dog, discuss the potential applications, capabilities, and limitations of biomedical detection dogs in disease outbreak scenarios, and the safety measures that must be considered before and during deployment. Finally, we provide recommendations on how to address and overcome the barriers to acceptance of biomedical detection dogs through a dedicated research and development investment in olfactory sciences.

Keywords: COVID-19; biomedical detection dog (BMDD); canine; olfactory science; training aid delivery device (TADD); volatile organic compound (VOC); volatilome.

Publication types

Review