Meet Bravo, a one-year and two-month-old Labrador Retriever sniffer dog as he sniffs from six canisters in a room at the Small Animal Hospital Chulalongkorn University.
He is one of six Labrador Retrievers that were trained to sniff out Covid-19 patients, both asymptomatic and symptomatic, by Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Veterinary Science.
As Bravo and two other dogs of the same breed currently undergo training at the faculty, the remaining three undergo their training in Southern Thailand where they will be used to detect Covid-19 patients at entry points.
According to a research professor of the faculty, Professor Dr Kaywalee Chatdarong, this method is economical, non-invasive, fast and accurate in distinguishing Covid-19 patients from healthy individuals.
“A dog takes only one to two seconds to detect the virus. Once the dog detects the perspiration scents of Covid-19 patients, it will sit down immediately,”
She stated that Bravo usually works for about one to two hours in the morning and at least an hour in the afternoon at the faculty.
“Three dogs could sniff about 1,000 samples a day,” she added.
Kaywalee told BERNAMA that to ensure the public that there are no implications on the health and welfare of the staff and K9 dogs involved, the research has been certified by the Ethics Committee, Ministry of Public Health and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
The dogs will begin their work in the field next month.
Man’s best friend just found a higher calling! What do you guys think of this?
Also read: This Cafe Chain In Thailand Is Offering FREE Drinks To Locals Who Have Been Vaccinated
