31. Making Scents of COVID

Contagious Conversations

Learn about the COVID-19 Detection Dog program—a collaboration between the California Department of Public Health and Early Alert Canines—which is introducing a new, less invasive, and more fun method of testing to schools across the state. Dr. Carol Glaser of the CADoH and Carol Edwards of EAC tell the story.

Carol Edwards began her career in dog obedience training at the age of 13 and since then has immersed herself in the behavioral science of dog training. Dr. Carol Glaser is the Assistant Deputy Director in the office of the State Public Health Laboratory Director and medical officer for the infectious disease laboratories at the California Department of Public Health. Dr. Glaser is also the Laboratory Director for the California Department of Public Health K-12 School Antigen Program.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[1:14] Dr. Glaser talks about her background and about her role at the California Department of Public Health.

[2:35] Carol Edwards shares details about her background and talks about the mission of Early Alert Canines.

[3:30] Dr. Glaser speaks about the COVID-19 Detection Dog Program.

[5:15] Carol Edwards discusses her early conversations with Dr. Glazer about the ability of dogs to detect COVID-19 in humans.

[6:28] What are the benefits of using dogs in schools instead of more traditional swab tests?

[7:32] Dr. Glaser talks about the environmental impact of this program.

[8:50] Carol Edwards discusses the positive reaction of children when they see the dogs coming to school.

[10:35] Carol Edwards talks about two dogs, Rizzo and Scarlett, trained for this program.

[11:26] How are dogs selected and trained to detect COVID in humans?

[12:28] Has a program like this ever been implemented before?

[13:55] What makes using dogs to detect COVID particularly unique and effective?

[14:23] Carol Edwards shares her experience with this program and her favorite part of it.

[15:19] Dr. Glaser talks about the opportunities she sees arising for this kind of project during future pandemics or outbreaks.

[16:38] Carol Edwards talks about the future of this program and the roles dogs can play during future pandemic or outbreaks.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Early Alert Canines

CDC Foundation