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ABSTRACT
Researchers have long reported that dogs and cats improve the physical and psychological health of their human caregivers, and while it is still inconclusive, a substantial amount of research now lends support for the commonly held view that "pets are good for us." Recently, studies have directed attention toward exploring the use of animals, most notably dogs, in the detection of disease and other types of health problems in people. This article reviews the evidence for dogs' ability to detect ill health in humans, focusing specifically on the detection of cancer, epileptic seizures, and hypoglycemia. The author describes the research carried out in this area and evaluates it in an effort to determine whether dogs have a role to play in modern health care as an "alert" tool or screening system for ill health. Where necessary, the author has highlighted weaknesses in the work and proposed directions for future studies. (Altern Ther Health Med. 2012;18(2):12-17)
Companies invest enormous sums of money every year in both preventive medicine and therapeutic treatment for people with a wide range of physical and mental health problems, sometimes to no avail. Although not without its methodological weaknesses and criticisms, mounting evidence now suggests that companion animals, such as dogs and cats, may be able to enhance the health of their human owners. Over the years, research has explored the value of animals for both our physical and psychological well-being and the ability of dogs and cats to aid the disabled and serve as "therapists" who assist humans in institutional settings.1 More recently, researchers have directed their attention toward evaluating the potential value of companion animals, especially dogs, in detecting certain types of underlying disease. This article reviews the evidence for dogs' ability to detect ill health in people and examines whether or not dogs have a role to play in modern health care as an integrated form of therapy. The author highlights limitations of the studies in general terms throughout the article, and the table summarizes the weaknesses specific to each of the investigations.
CANCER DETECTION
Millions of people die from cancer every year, often because they notice symptoms of the disease too late for effective intervention. Traditional methods of cancer detection can be complicated, invasive, and in...