The Dog Director, Tommy Stark

Canine Behaviorist & Trainer in South Orange County, CA. Multiple-Disciplinary Canine Expert.

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

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[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

Scientists train dogs to sniff out flashbacks from human breath
The findings could make PTSD assistance dogs more effective

Nilima Marshall - 3/28/24

Dogs may be able to sniff out an oncoming flashback caused by post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), research suggests.

Scientists have trained dogs to recognise the scent in the breath of people reflecting on past traumatic experiences.

They said the findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Allergy, could make PTSD assistance dogs more effective.

PTSD is a mental health condition caused by stressful, frightening or distressing events, with those afflicted often reliving these moments through nightmares and flashbacks.

Laura Kiiroja, of the department of psychology and neuroscience at Dalhousie University in Canada, said: “PTSD service dogs are already trained to assist people during episodes of distress.
“However, dogs are currently trained to respond to behavioural and physical cues.

“Our study showed that at least some dogs can also detect these episodes via breath.”

The researchers said all humans have a “scent profile” made up of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) �� which are emitted by the body in secretions such as sweat.
They said there is some evidence that suggest dogs may be capable of detecting VOCs associated with human stress.

Previous research has shown that dogs have the ability to detect diseases such as cancer as well as early signs of potentially dangerous medical situations, such as an impending seizure or sudden hypoglycemia (when blood sugar levels become abnormally low).

For the study, the team recruited 26 people, more than half of whom met the diagnostic requirements for PTSD.

The individuals were asked to breathe into a facemask while recalling past traumatic events.

The team recruited 25 dogs to train in scent detection but only two – Ivy and Callie – were skilled and motivated enough to complete the experiments, the researchers said.

Ms Kiiroja said: “Both Ivy and Callie found this work inherently motivating.

“Their limitless appetite for delicious treats was also an asset.

“In fact, it was much harder to convince them to take a break than to commence work.

“Callie in particular made sure there was no dilly-dallying.”
After being trained, both dogs were tested to see if they could accurately detect VOCs associated with stress.

In this experiment, Ivy achieved 74% accuracy and Callie achieved 81% accuracy, the team said, but Ivy’s performance correlated with anxiety, whereas Callie’s correlated with shame.

Ms Kiiroja said: “Although both dogs performed at very high accuracy, they seemed to have a slightly different idea of what they considered a ‘stressed’ breath sample.”

She said the team believes Ivy was more attuned to a part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for hormones associated with “fight or flight” response, such as adrenaline.

They said there is some evidence that suggest dogs may be capable of detecting VOCs associated with human stress.

Previous research has shown that dogs have the ability to detect diseases such as cancer as well as early signs of potentially dangerous medical situations, such as an impending seizure or sudden hypoglycemia (when blood sugar levels become abnormally low).

For the study, the team recruited 26 people, more than half of whom met the diagnostic requirements for PTSD.

Read more: https://t.co/kKyjPuN0xM

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

This evening pack walk has been cancelled due to rain. Next walk is Oct 21st at 9:30am

[the Dog Director, Tommy Stark @TheDogDirector]

This is a sick AI generated QR code I made for a shirt to go to my website....What do you think?

#AI #QRART #pyramids

[the Dog Director, Tommy Stark @TheDogDirector]

It’s long but a must watch video for how you introduce a dog to something new. Notice the absence of humans yanking on leashes, yelling, waving treats around, toning a remote, nothing but nature and patience.

What’s that saying? “Patience is a virtue?” Yea it’s true #ispeakdog #dogtraineroc #thedogdirector

[the Dog Director, Tommy Stark @TheDogDirector]

Novice Dog Trainers are full of excuses for their clients. Professionals give "Directions" for success. #TheDogDirector @iSpeakDogX

[the Dog Director, Tommy Stark @TheDogDirector]

Controlling a door way. I don’t really care who goes out first. I just want the dog not to think he needs to control the situation. If I let him “choose” who’s directing the walk then the walk is going to suck. Dogs weren’t designed to lead. #thedigdirector #dogs #DogTrainer

[Dee Dog Park by iSpeak Dog! @DeeDogPark]

Sunday funday at DDP! Impromptu play date!

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

@elonmusk What about smaller businesses?

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

Here is an old video I made. I will be making a new one at some point.

https://t.co/V1OvUIZ3Pp

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

Next Pack Walk is August 26th @ 9am. Laguna Niguel Regional Park
#PackWalk #Dogs #DogTrainerOC #TheDogDirector

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

Come join our next pack walk! Co-hosted with the Dog Listener, Emily Haley. Be a part of the la pawz dog team! https://t.co/RBIwmZRhBZ #packwalks #dogs #dogdirector

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

@DogTrainerOC @DeeDogPark @TheDogDirector

[Dee Dog Park by iSpeak Dog! @DeeDogPark]

Bruno happy getting into the park! #thedogdirector #dogtraineroc #ispeakdog #DogParkFun #PawsomePlaytime #BarkingGoodTimes #TailWagginHaven #CanineParadise #PlayfulPups #WoofParkAdventures #OrangeCountyDogs #HappyTailsOC #TopDogPlayground

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

@BeyondTheLeash cool video

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

/2 (didn't realize my verification had gone through and I can write longer posts)
It's much more in depth but if we have to go THAT route we will. I told Emily if we just need to change it to a protest then we will. Simple solution. We will see what they say first. They think it's an entity which "the la pawz team" is clearly listed as "anyone who joins the walk" so....We are thinking of having either everyone call the office since we are ALLLLL the la pawz dog team. I don't know. I don't think they realize the extent to which people will go to attend this pack walk. The amount of dogs it has helped over the years is countless. A man named Travis said he was never aware of any pack walks in the park. I found that interesting considering the Orange County Register came out and did a report on it and once a month 150+ dogs show up to your park and you have no idea? Then we REALLY don't impact anything like he states.

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

Come join our next pack walk! Co-hosted with the Dog Listener, Emily Haley. Be a part of the la pawz dog team! https://t.co/RBIwmZRhBZ #packwalks #dogs #dogdirector

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

@Linda_J_Marquis Ohhhhh yea about that. So. Emily was notified by the OC parks that we can't have the walk there. Emily sent them a reply today so see if they will reconsider. We have been doing it for 5 years and never an issue. Apparantley someone complained that we were congesting the road.

[The Dog Director, Tommy Stark @dogtraineroc]

@cesarmillan Just call it a "lead" and it solves the problem. Leashes are so things don't get away. I've learned since moving to SoCal from GA that nobody here can handle a dog. I'd say in south Orange County 90% of people walking their dogs, can't. There is zero relationship!