On the Hunt for Rona: Let’s Track Her Down!
Dogs have been our most beloved companions for centuries and now they might be able to help us in a completely different way.
In Finland, dogs are already helping to detect cancers of breasts and prostates. Now about 50 dogs are trained to find positive COVID-19 samples. Stock picture: Finland Today
Dogs have been trained to smell certain drugs and even diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s disease and in the most recent trials, they are being trained to detect coronavirus. To learn more about this we spoke to Anna Hielm-Björkman, a veterinarian and a researcher at the University of Helsinki.
In Finland, dogs have been trained to sniff canine and humane breast cancers as well as human prostate cancer. “The best dogs have a sensitivity and specificity of over 90 percent,” says Björkman. This percentage makes them ideal candidates for becoming diagnostic assistants. With a new virus comes a new smell and even though the research is still at its early stages, dogs seem to be able to detect this new scent after only a few weeks.
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Paulina BouzasForeign Correspondent at Finland TodayPaulina Bouzas was born and raised in Mexico and has an MA in Linguistics from the University of Eastern Finland. She enjoys writing about education, language and Finnish culture.
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Source: finlandtoday.fi
Dogs have been an invaluable part of our lives for generations, and it’s fascinating to see how they are now being trained to assist in detecting various diseases, including COVID-19. The dedication and skills of these canine companions never cease to amaze me!
In my opinion, utilizing dogs to detect various diseases including cancer and now even COVID-19 is a remarkable advancement in the field of medical research. It’s fascinating to see how these loyal animals can contribute to improving human health in such a unique way.
Are the dogs really able to detect the coronavirus with such a high accuracy? How do they distinguish it from other scents they are trained to detect?
Yes, the dogs have shown remarkable abilities in detecting the coronavirus with high accuracy. Their training involves exposing them to the specific scent of the virus, which they can differentiate from other scents they are trained on. Their success rates in trials have been impressive, showcasing their potential as valuable tools in medical diagnostics.
It’s amazing to see how dogs can be trained to detect various diseases, including cancer and now even COVID-19! Their sense of smell truly knows no bounds.
Can dogs really be trained to detect COVID-19 samples effectively as mentioned in the article?
Yes, dogs have incredibly sensitive noses that can be trained to detect various scents, including COVID-19 samples. The success rates of around 90% sensitivity and specificity in detecting cancers showcase their potential in assisting with medical diagnoses, making them promising candidates for detecting the virus as well.
Dogs have such amazing abilities! It’s truly fascinating how they can be trained to detect various diseases, including COVID-19. Their sense of smell is truly remarkable.
In my opinion, this innovative approach of training dogs to detect COVID-19 samples is fascinating. It’s amazing how our furry companions can contribute to identifying diseases and potentially saving lives. I believe this method shows great promise and should be further explored for its practical applications.
In my opinion, this is a groundbreaking development, showcasing the incredible abilities of our furry friends to aid in medical diagnostics. It’s fascinating to see how dogs can be trained to detect various diseases, including COVID-19. Kudos to the researchers and trainers involved in this innovative initiative!
Dogs have always been known for their incredible sense of smell, but it’s truly fascinating to see them potentially assisting in the fight against COVID-19. It’s amazing how versatile and intelligent our furry companions are!
Dogs have been our most beloved companions for centuries and now they might be able to help us in a completely different way. In Finland, dogs are already helping to detect cancers of breasts and prostates. Now about 50 dogs are trained to find positive COVID-19 samples. It’s amazing how versatile and intelligent dogs are!
Dogs have always amazed me with their incredible abilities. It’s fascinating to see them potentially helping in detecting COVID-19 now. The bond between humans and dogs is truly special.
Dogs have always been such incredible creatures, and their abilities never cease to amaze me. It’s fascinating to see how they are now being trained to detect various illnesses, including cancer and now COVID-19. Truly man’s best friend and now potentially our best allies in the fight against diseases.
Dogs have always amazed me with their incredible sense of smell. It’s fascinating to see how they are now being trained to detect diseases like cancer and even viruses like COVID-19. I believe they will play a crucial role in early detection and saving lives.