New Considerations

As testing progresses, it is also being refined.  And new questions and considerations present themselves.

What is the influence of bacteria upon the sample?  We have come across our first sample that shows physical contamination.  We cancelled the test (I:D Saliva Target Sample with donor non-seizure sample) but preserved the contaminated sample by re-freezing it.  We will use it for testing purposes once we determine how to conduct the test.

How small can a sample be to be effective?  We received a single saliva seizure sample and a single skin swab seizure sample and cut it in half diagonally, creating 2 sample.  But could we have successfully tested if the gauze pad had been cut into quarters?  Or eighths?

When we remember that the ultimate goal of our testing is to collect empirical information about seizure sample to be used for training purposes, then the greatest potential of even a single sample is critical knowledge to have.  So we shall add another tests regarding sample size.

If we are able to find an appropriate donor, does pre-ictal sample have the same scent as post ictal scent?  We want to first complete multiple tests of current sample types with multiple donors tested with multiple dogs before pursuing this possibility.

Dr Hardin reports that in her seizure scent research, all roads lead back to the hormone, prolactin.  What opportunities do we have in the SAP to pursue that avenue?  And then that thinking leads us to wonder, could synthetic prolactin be a viable scent source for training seizure alert?

Yesterday, while working with a veteran with PTSD, Nad performed what might be interpreted as an untrained alert behavior when the Marine experienced the beginnings of a panic attack.  He was sweating.  Nad has been testing skin sweat sample this week.

Could Nad have been reacting to sweat production?  He easily discerns the difference between non-event skin sweat sample vs seizure skin sweat sample on the scent wheel.

Could there be a common element found in a panic attack and also in a seizure?  And could we find an answer through our testing?

We have asked for panic attack sample from Freedom Dogs Marines.....saliva, skin sweat swabs and clothing.  We must remember to also ask for non-event sample.

The Service Dogs of Virginia have successfully trained 4 working DAD (Diabetic Alert Dogs) using unadulterated clothing sample that is stored at room temperature for training purposes.  We are planning to take a portion of the clothing sample from Donor 3 and preserve and test it following the Service Dogs of Virginia model.