Correspondent
In a groundbreaking study conducted by UK researchers, it has been determined that dogs possess the remarkable ability to accurately identify changes in human breath and perspiration caused by psychological stress, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 93.75%.
The study aimed to explore whether dogs, given their long history of domestication and close companionship with humans, could recognize chemical messages emitted by our bodies during moments of panic, stress, and anxiety.
To carry out the investigation, the research team collected sweat and breath samples from individuals before and after engaging in a fast-paced math assignment. Concurrently, participants' self-reported stress levels were recorded alongside objective measurements of blood pressure and heart rate.
From the collected samples, the team selected 36 instances in which individuals reported experiencing high levels of stress, as verified by corresponding blood pressure and heart rate data. These samples were then presented to four different dogs of various breeds within a few hours of collection. The dogs had undergone training using a clicker and kibble to discern scents in a discrimination task.
During the test, the trained dogs were tasked with identifying the stress-inducing sample while disregarding the relaxed sample, which came from the same individual and was also included in the lineup.
The results were nothing short of impressive. The dogs successfully recognized and responded attentively to the stress-inducing sample in 675 out of 720 trials, accounting for an astonishing 93.75% accuracy rate. This success rate far surpassed what would be expected by mere chance (p < 0.001). Individual dogs displayed varying levels of precision, ranging from 90% to 96.88%.
The study's authors reached the conclusion that dogs can indeed detect scents associated with changes in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) produced by humans in response to stress.
This discovery sheds new light on the dynamic between humans and dogs, offering valuable insights for future training programs involving service dogs that specialize in assisting individuals with PTSD and anxiety issues. Currently, such service dogs are primarily trained to respond to visual cues. However, with this newfound understanding of their olfactory capabilities, these remarkable animals can be further harnessed to provide even more effective support and companionship to those in need.