Recent scientific discoveries have allowed dogs to identify the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by smelling human breath.
The journal Frontiers in Allergy recently published a study showcasing that dogs can pinpoint volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in humans, which are part of our unique scent markers.
Specific VOCs relate directly to stress, and two dogs named Ivy, a golden retriever, and Callie, a German shepherd, successfully recognized these when tested.
PTSD is a severe anxiety disorder triggered by extremely stressful, terrifying, or distressing events, often manifesting as nightmares and flashbacks in sufferers.
In the research, 26 individuals participated, with over half meeting the criteria for PTSD. They were tasked to inhale deeply into a mask while recollecting traumatic experiences.
Of the 25 canines trained for the study, only Ivy and Callie were proficient in distinguishing between the breath samples of stressed and non-stressed subjects with an accuracy of up to 90%.
“Both Ivy and Callie were highly motivated by this task,” mentioned Laura Kiiroja, a researcher in the psychology and neuroscience department at Dalhousie University in Canada.
“They were also greatly incentivized by treats. Convincing them to stop working proved to be a greater challenge than motivating them to start,” she added. “Callie, especially, would not tolerate any delays.”
Existing literature highlights that dogs have been trained to detect various diseases, like cancer, and foresee hazardous health occurrences like seizures or hypoglycaemic episodes.
Currently, some dogs are trained to assist during distress episodes, responding to physical and behavioral signs.
Kiiroja believes that the results from this particular work could enhance the effectiveness of assistance dogs for individuals with PTSD.
Although the dogs showcased remarkable capabilities, each seemed to have a distinct approach to what they considered a “stressed breath sample”.
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Kiiroja suggested that Ivy may be fine-tuned to a segment of the autonomic nervous system that governs hormones linked to stress responses like adrenaline, while Callie appears to be sensitive to systems involved in managing stress, related to cortisol production.
She emphasized the importance of further studies to validate these preliminary findings.
FAQs about Dogs Detecting Human Stress
Q: Can dogs really identify PTSD in humans?
A: Yes, recent studies, including the one discussed here, have shown that dogs can be trained to detect certain volatile organic compounds in human breath that are associated with PTSD.
Q: How accurate are the dogs in detecting stress?
A: In the study mentioned, the two dogs, Ivy and Callie, were able to distinguish between stressed and non-stressed breath samples with up to a 90% accuracy rate.
Q: Are these dogs different from other service dogs?
A: Yes, while all service dogs are trained to assist their owners, these specific dogs are trained to detect stress based on scent, as opposed to responding to overt behavioral or physical cues.
Q: What implications does this research have?
A: If these findings are validated through further research, it could enhance the capabilities of assistance dogs for people with PTSD, allowing for earlier and potentially more effective interventions during stress episodes.
Q: Is further research planned in this area?
A: The researcher, Laura Kiiroja, has emphasized that more in-depth studies are necessary to confirm these initial results and further understand the dogs’ abilities.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking study uncovers the remarkable potential of canines in identifying human stress, particularly PTSD, through scent. The specific training and the dogs’ inherent abilities to pick up on subtle scent changes may pave the way for innovative forms of therapy and support for those dealing with stress disorders. While the findings offer a significant leap forward, the necessity for further research underlines the importance of continued exploration into the unique bond between humans and dogs in healthcare settings.