Do Dogs Detect Hypoglycemia? Two Studies Say Yes, but a Third Raises Serious Doubts

Three UK scientists, one of which is the CEO of a dog training organization that specializes in medical detection dogs, have published a study (Rooney et al. 2013) that “points to the potential value of alert dogs, for increasing glycaemic control, client independence and consequent quality of life and even reducing the costs of long term health care.” Another preliminary study (Gonder-Frederick et al., 2013), also using self-reporting, largely confirmed the results of the first study.  A third study (Dehlinger et al., 2013), however, found...

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When a Therapy Dog Bites

A handler who belongs to a national therapy dog organization, as I do, is required to certify annually that the dog has not bitten anyone or shown overt aggression since the previous renewal of membership.  This requirement is not limited to incidents that happen during visitations.  A recent case from New York involved a therapy dog that bit a guest at a party in the home of his owner.  The certifying organization was not informed of the bite (until I sent them an email asking for comment), and the dog's certification continued...

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Psychiatrist’s Letter Proves Crucial in Patient's Dispute with Landlord over Dog

Dr. J.L. Thomas and I wrote an article for psychological and medical professionals regarding letters that such professionals are asked to write on behalf of patients with service and support animals.  In the article, which appeared in the Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, we analyzed letters that were influential in legal cases where patients sued to gain access to public accommodations, transportation, or housing.  We also analyzed letters that had the opposite effect, either not helping patients or actually harming their cases. ...

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AKC Test Qualifies Emotional Support Animals for VA Study: Is the VA Considering New Policies on Service Dogs and ESAs?

In a "Sources Sought/Request for Information" posted on the federal business opportunities website, FedBizOpps.Gov, where government contracts are announced, the Department of Veterans Affairs says it is looking for suppliers of dogs “to determine the efficacy of service dogs in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).”  The study began two years ago, but is now to be revised and expanded to include emotional support dogs as well as service dogs.  The dogs for this study must be provided by nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations,...

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Law on Facility Dogs as Aids to Vulnerable Witnesses Continues to Develop

An adult man, Douglas, is retarded but able to hold down a job.  He meets the girl next door, Alesha Lair, who soon moves in with him, and moves in three members of her family as well.  Alesha begins to drain Douglas’s bank accounts and max out his credit cards on presents for her family and friends, including another boyfriend, Timothy Dye.  She sets up an apartment using more of Douglas’s money, then moves out.  But she hadn’t taken everything, so Timothy comes back to get what’s left from Douglas.  He enters the house...

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