Nose for the job: N.B. dog trainer teaches canines to sniff out stress
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but one Maritime dog trainer is teaching dogs how to sniff out stress and improve the life of their humans.
Bill Grimmer, an experienced dog trainer in Shediac, N.B., has worked across the globe, training dogs to detect scents during cadaver recovery, to find explosives and narcotics.
Recently, Grimmer has been teaching three canines how to sniff out cortisol, also known as the stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands.
"We've learned the cortisol level can be reduced by many things from petting something, going on a walk, to meditation, things like that," said Grimmer. "The dog performs a function by coming over when it smells the cortisol and pushes for a reward, for touch or for a treat."
With help from a lab, Grimmer is able to use samples of cortisol to assist in their training. He puts the cortisol on a popsicle stick or a cotton ball, then hides it in rounded tubes. The dogs are then told to find the hidden sample and are rewarded after.
"I use the cortisol to see if the dog would actually detect it and then we taught the two dogs that when they detect it they can immediately get a reward of petting and treats" explains Grimmer.
He says the goal is to get the dog into a habit, so the next time it smells the cortisol in the breath it will then be trained to go to the person to help calm them down.
As their training develops, Grimmer's canines could have the opportunity to put their noses to the test.
"Many police officers said they would love to have a dog that was trained like that because it will help when we're interviewing a person that has gone through a traumatic incident," says Grimmer.
With dogs now being trained to detect more scents including COVID-19, he believes there's no limit to the things a canine can do.
"I just think that other trainers could develop this and use this across Canada or worldwide to bridge the gap from an emotional support dog to a service dog," says Grimmer.
Dogs with a real nose for the job of providing comfort and ease for people in need.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Australian police arrest 7 alleged teen extremists linked to stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church
Australian police arrested seven teenagers accused of following a violent extremist ideology in raids across Sydney on Wednesday, as a judge extended a ban on social media platform X sharing video of a knife attack on a bishop that started the criminal investigation.