Atlanta-Area Assisted Living Communities to Utilize COVID-19-Detecting Dogs

Assisted living community group Benton House Senior Living has teamed with the nonprofit Canine Assistants to use COVID-19-sniffing dogs at five communities in the Atlanta metropolitan area, reports the Newnan Times-Herald . "I was impressed with how quickly the dogs learned to detect the virus, some in just a few days, and how the accuracy rivaled current nasal pharyngeal testing percentages," said Benton House CEO Mike Allard. Dogs identify the virus via sterile swabs that collect sweat samples from test subjects. Trials are expected to transpire over the next few weeks with the hope of placing the dogs in homes after Jan. 1. "The extra layer of protection is just one more way we can serve our residents and team," Allard said. "Best of all, the dogs will live in the communities and just be part of the family."