Virus Detection Dogs?

In both World Wars dogs ser ved on the front line and boosted morale. Dogs even sensed impending air raids in WW2 by hiding or barking, aler ting families to quickly seek shelter.

Today the Army and police harness the extraordinar y canine sense of smell to help keep us safe. A dog’s supersensitive nose can be trained to snif f out almost anything, from counter feit cash to disease.

The pioneering lifesaving charity Medical Detection Dogs is known for its research into dogs smelling volatile cancer chemicals in breath and urine, plus training assistance dogs for diabetics. Now it has

Broadcaster and author Anna Webb has studied at the College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies (CIVT). She lives in London with Prudence and Mr Binks.

begun training dogs to snif f out and aler t people to COVID19 in a bid to help save lives.

Ever y dog owner knows how a dog’s canny intuition can lift your mood with just a wag of the tail, and it’s scientifically proven that dogs can “snif f” fluctuating levels of the stress hormone cortisol in our bodies to know exactly how we’re feeling.

As stress barometers, dogs could help us monitor our own anxiety levels if we acknowledge their clever cues like yawning or licking their lips. In dog language this is expressing concern or intimating that they’re actually feeling a bit over whelmed too.

Studies agree that

simply having a dog in the same room lowers your blood pressure. Stroking your own dog is mutually beneficial as this simple action releases the happy hormone, oxytocin, in both you and your pooch.

No matter if you’re having a bad hair day or your jeans are too tight – dogs are masters at staying present without judgement, not least in bringing their routine and structure to punctuate our day.

Spending more time with your best friend during this time will pay dividends. It’s a reminder that you can feel lonely in a room full of people… but you’re never alone with a dog by your side.