An alertness assistance dog (or fatigue scent detection dog) is trained to indicate changes in the owner’s state of alertness, such as a reduced state of awareness, in advance. Through their highly sensitive olfactory system, dogs are able to detect subtle changes in the human body, some of which are linked to biomarkers that indicate changes in neurotransmitter levels. By alerting the owner, the dog helps to prevent functional impairment caused by these fluctuations in daily life.
The dog's alert supports the individual in stopping their current activity in a controlled manner, serving as a reminder of the need for a rest break. Without this rest, a drop in alertness could lead to a decrease in functional capacity lasting several hours or even days.
This study examines the impact of alertness assistance dogs on owners’ quality of life and investigates the specific biomarkers that elicit the dogs’ alerting responses.