Working Dog Research

Every Two Minutes a Dog Dies of Hemangiosarcoma

We are training dogs to differentiate blood samples from healthy dogs versus dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. This research will bring us closer to earlier diagnostic tools for horrible disease.

Help us sniff out canine cancer...

Breeding Program

Publications

Sports & Performance Medicine

Ramos, M.T., Hartzell A.M., Otto C.M. Non-Specific Canine Lameness in the Emergency Room: A retrospective study and review of approaches. J. Vet Emerg Crit Care. In press.

Farr, B., Gabrysiak, J., Traylor, R., Zayas, S., Ramos, M., Mallikarjun, A., & Otto, C. (2023). Functional measurement of canine muscular fitness: refinement and reliability of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center Sprint Test. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10. DOI:10.3389/fvets.2023.1217201

Ramos, M. T., Farr, B. D., & Otto, C. M. (2023). Rehabilitation to Return-to-Work for Working Dogs. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 53(4), 869-878. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.02.014

Wilson, C., Ebbecke, D., Berger, D., & Otto, C. (2023). The Effects of Fitness Training on Working Dog Behavior: Two Case Studies. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.08.005

Ramos, M. T., & Otto, C. M. (2022). Canine mobility maintenance and promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 52(4), 907-924. DOI:10.1016/j.cvsm.2022.03.001

Stigall, A. R., Farr, B. D., Ramos, M. T., & Otto, C. M. (2022). A formalized method to acclimate dogs to voluntary treadmill locomotion at various speeds and inclines. Animals, 12(5), 567. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050567

Otto, C. M., Darling, T., Murphy, L., Ng, Z., Pierce, B., Singletary, M., & Zoran, D. (2021). 2021 AAHA working, assistance, and therapy dog guidelines. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 57(6), 253-277. DOI:https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7250

Farley, C. M., Kaynaroglu, P., Magness, D., Riegel, R. J., & Otto, C. M. (2021). Thermal Imaging Following Exercise in Working Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 705478. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.705478

Ramos, M. T., Farr, B. D., & Otto, C. M. (2021). Sports medicine and rehabilitation in working dogs. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 51(4), 859-876. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.04.005.

Farr, B. D., Ramos, M. T., & Otto, C. M. (2020). The penn vet working dog center fit to work program: a formalized method for assessing and developing foundational canine physical fitness. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 470. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00470

Robbins, P. J., Ramos, M. T., Zanghi, B. M., & Otto, C. M. (2017). Environmental and physiological factors associated with stamina in dogs exercising in high ambient temperatures. Frontiers in veterinary science, 4, 144. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2017.00144

Occupational hazards of Working Dogs

Parnes, S. C., Mallikarjun, A., Ramos, M. T., Capparell, T. R., & Otto, C. M. (2024). Voluntary head dunking after exercise-induced hyperthermia rapidly reduces core body temperature in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1(aop), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.06.0368

Seeley AC, Isaksen KE, Lucas A, Cogger N, Otto CM. A 15-year longitudinal study of search-and-rescue dogs identifies the musculoskeletal, integumentary, and gastrointestinal systems as commonly affected. JAVMA 2023. doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.08.0439

Barr C, Haughan J, Giacomo G, Varner K, Drobatz K, Stefanovski D, Robinson MA, Pennington M, McGuire A, Otto, CM. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Intranasal and Intramuscular Naloxone in Working Dogs Administered Fentanyl, J Vet Int Med J Vet Int Med 2023: 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16901

Hare, E., Kelsey, K. M., Niedermeyer, G. M., & Otto, C. M. (2021). Long-term behavioral resilience in search-and-rescue dogs responding to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 234, 105173. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105173

Hare, E., Joffe, E., Wilson, C., Serpell, J., & Otto, C. M. (2021). Behavior traits associated with career outcome in a prison puppy-raising program. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 236, 105218. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105218

Otto, C. M., Hare, E., Buchweitz, J. P., Kelsey, K. M., & Fitzgerald, S. D. (2020). Fifteen-year surveillance of pathological findings associated with death or euthanasia in search-and-rescue dogs deployed to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack sites. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 257(7), 734-743. DOI:https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.257.7.734

Drobatz, K. J., Hopper, K., Rozanski, E. A., & Silverstein, D. C. (Eds.). (2018). Textbook of small animal emergency medicine. John Wiley & Sons.

Parr, J. R., & Otto, C. M. (2013). Emergency visits and occupational hazards in G erman S hepherd police dogs (2008–2010). Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 23(6), 591-597. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/vec.12098

Hunt, M., Otto, C. M., Serpell, J. A., & Alvarez, J. (2012). Interactions between handler well-being and canine health and behavior in search and rescue teams. Anthrozoös, 25(3), 323-335. DOI:https://doi.org/10.2752/175303712X13403555186253

Otto, C. M., Downend, A. B., Moore, G. E., Daggy, J. K., Ranivand, D. L., Reetz, J. A., & Fitzgerald, S. D. (2010). Medical surveillance of search dogs deployed to the World Trade Center and Pentagon: 2001–2006. Journal of Environmental Health, 73(2), 12-21. DOI:10.1016/j.jveb.2009.04.002

Fitzgerald, S. D., Rumbeiha, W. K., Braselton, W. E., Downend, A. B., & Otto, C. M. (2008). Pathology and toxicology findings for search-and-rescue dogs deployed to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack sites: initial five-year surveillance. Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation, 20(4), 477-484. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/104063870802000410

Otto, C. M., Downend, A. B., Serpell, J. A., Ziemer, L. S., & Saunders, H. M. (2004). Medical and behavioral surveillance of dogs deployed to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon from October 2001 to June 2002. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 225(6), 861-867. DOI:https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2004.225.861

Slensky, K. A., Drobatz, K. J., Downend, A. B., & Otto, C. M. (2004). Deployment morbidity among search-and-rescue dogs used after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 225(6), 868-873. DOI:https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2004.225.868

Hydration

Niedermeyer, G. M., Hare, E., Brunker, L. K., Berk, R. A., Kelsey, K. M., Darling, T. A., ... & Otto, C. M. (2020). A randomized cross-over field study of pre-hydration strategies in dogs tracking in hot environments. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 292. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00292

Goucher, T. K., Hartzell, A. M., Seales, T. S., Anmuth, A. S., Zanghi, B. M., & Otto, C. M. (2019). Evaluation of skin turgor and capillary refill time as predictors of dehydration in exercising dogs. American journal of veterinary research, 80(2), 123-128. DOI:https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.80.2.123

Zanghi, B. M., Robbins, P. J., Ramos, M. T., & Otto, C. M. (2018). Working dogs drinking a nutrient-enriched water maintain cooler body temperature and improved pulse rate recovery after exercise. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 202. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00202

Otto, C. M., Hare, E., Nord, J. L., Palermo, S. M., Kelsey, K. M., Darling, T. A., ... & Coleman, D. (2017). Evaluation of three hydration strategies in detection dogs working in a hot environment. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 4, 174. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2017.00174

Reineke, E. L., Walton, K., & Otto, C. M. (2013). Evaluation of an oral electrolyte solution for treatment of mild to moderate dehydration in dogs with hemorrhagic diarrhea. Journal of the American veterinary medical association, 243(6), 851-857. DOI:https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.243.6.851

Mazin, R. M., Fordyce, H. H., & Otto, C. M. (2001). Electrolyte replacement in urban search and rescue dogs: a field study. Vet Ther, 2(2), 140-7.

Canine Olfaction

Ramos, M. T., Chang, G., Wilson, C., Gilbertie, J. M., Krieg, J., Parvizi, J., ... & Schaer, T. P. Dogs can detect an odor profile associated with Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in cultures and biological samples. Frontiers in Allergy, 5, 1275397. doi: 10.3389/falgy.2024.1275397

Mallikarjun, A., Charendoff, I., Moore, M. B., Wilson, C., Nguyen, E., Hendrzak, A. J., ... & Otto, C. M. (2024). Assessing Different Chronic Wasting Disease Training Aids for Use with Detection Dogs. Animals, 14(2), 300. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020300

Otto, C. M., Sell, T. K., Veenema, T. G., Hosangadi, D., Vahey, R. A., Connell, N. D., & Privor-Dumm, L. (2023). The promise of disease detection dogs in pandemic response: lessons learned from COVID-19. Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 17, e20. DOI:10.1017/dmp.2021.183

Mallikarjun, A., Swartz, B., Kane, S. A., Gibison, M., Wilson, I., Collins, A., ... & Otto, C. M. (2023). Canine detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in laboratory and field settings. Prion, 17(1), 16-28. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/19336896.2023.2169519

Mallikarjun, A., Collins, A., Verta, A., Hanadari-Levy, A., Chaskes, M. B., Rosen, M. R., ... & Otto, C. M. (2023). Canine scent detection of sinonasal-inverted papilloma in blood plasma and nasal secretions. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 62, 29-38. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2023.02.008

Meller, S., Al Khatri, M. S. A., Alhammadi, H. K., Álvarez, G., Alvergnat, G., Alves, L. C., ... & Volk, H. A. (2022). Expert considerations and consensus for using dogs to detect human SARS-CoV-2-infections. Frontiers in medicine, 9, 3590. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.1015620

Gokool, V. A., Crespo-Cajigas, J., Mallikarjun, A., Collins, A., Kane, S. A., Plymouth, V., ... & Otto, C. M. (2022). The use of biological sensors and instrumental analysis to discriminate COVID-19 odor signatures. Biosensors, 12(11), 1003. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12111003

Collins, A., Bear, R. A., Mallikarjun, A., Kane, S. A., Essler, J. L., Kaynaroglu, P., ... & Otto, C. M. (2022). Effects of Intranasal and Oral Bordetella bronchiseptica Vaccination on the Behavioral and Olfactory Capabilities of Detection Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 882424. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.882424

Kane, S. A., Lee, Y. E., Essler, J. L., Mallikarjun, A., Preti, G., Verta, A., ... & Otto, C. M. (2022). Canine discrimination of ovarian cancer through volatile organic compounds. Talanta, 250, 123729. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123729

Essler, J. L., Smith, P. G., Ruge, C. E., Darling, T. A., Barr, C. A., & Otto, C. M. (2022). The first responder exposure to contaminating powder on dog fur during intranasal and intramuscular naloxone administration. Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 32(1), 18-25. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/vec.13113

Cobb, M. L., Otto, C. M., & Fine, A. H. (2021). The animal welfare science of working dogs: current perspectives on recent advances and future directions. Frontiers in veterinary science, 1116. DOI:10.3389/fvets.2021.666898

Hall, N. J., Otto, C. M., & Baltzer, W. I. (2021). Working Dogs: Form and Function, Volume II. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 858. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.732304

Hall, N. J., Johnston, A. M., Bray, E. E., Otto, C. M., MacLean, E. L., & Udell, M. A. (2021). Working dog training for the twenty-first century. Frontiers in veterinary science, 834. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.646022

Hall, N. J., Otto, C. M., & Baltzer, W. I. (2021). Working Dogs: Form and Function, Volume II. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 858. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.732304

Essler, J. L., Kane, S. A., Nolan, P., Akaho, E. H., Berna, A. Z., DeAngelo, A., ... & Otto, C. M. (2021). Discrimination of SARS-CoV-2 infected patient samples by detection dogs: a proof of concept study. PLoS One, 16(4), e0250158. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250158

Essler, J. L., Kane, S. A., Collins, A., Ryder, K., DeAngelo, A., Kaynaroglu, P., & Otto, C. M. (2021). Egg masses as training aids for spotted lanternfly Lycorma delicatula detection dogs. PLoS One, 16(5), e0250945. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250945

Farr, B. D., Otto, C. M., & Szymczak, J. E. (2021). Expert perspectives on the performance of explosive detection canines: operational requirements. Animals, 11(7), 1976. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11071976

Farr, B. D., Otto, C. M., & Szymczak, J. E. (2021). Expert perspectives on the performance of explosive detection canines: operational requirements. Animals, 11(7), 1976. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11071978

Guest, C., & Otto, C. M. (2020). canine olfactory detection. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 100. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00100

Bell, S. E., Nash, A. K., Zanghi, B. M., Otto, C. M., & Perry, E. B. (2020). An assessment of the stability of the canine oral microbiota after probiotic administration in healthy dogs over time. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 616. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00616

Kybert, N., Prokop-Prigge, K., Otto, C. M., Ramirez, L., Joffe, E., Tanyi, J., ... & Preti, G. (2020). Exploring ovarian cancer screening using a combined sensor approach: A pilot study. AIP Advances, 10(3). DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5144532

Essler, J. L., Smith, P. G., Berger, D., Gregorio, E., Pennington, M. R., McGuire, A., ... & Otto, C. M. (2019). A randomized cross-over trial comparing the effect of intramuscular versus intranasal naloxone reversal of intravenous fentanyl on odor detection in working dogs. Animals, 9(6), 385. DOI:10.3390/ani9060385

Murarka, M., Vesley-Gross, Z. I., Essler, J. L., Smith, P. G., Hooda, J., Drapkin, R., & Otto, C. M. (2019). Testing ovarian cancer cell lines to train dogs to detect ovarian cancer from blood plasma: A pilot study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 32, 42-48. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2019.04.010

Ensminger, J. (2016). 25 Medical Alerting. Canine Olfaction Science and Law: Advances in Forensic Science, Medicine, Conservation, and Environmental Remediation, 389.

Cognition/Development

Eyre, A. W., Zapata, I., Hare, E., Serpell, J. A., Otto, C. M., & Alvarez, C. E. (2023). Machine learning prediction and classification of behavioral selection in a canine olfactory detection program. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 12489. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39112-7

Bray, E. E., Otto, C. M., Udell, M. A., Hall, N. J., Johnston, A. M., & MacLean, E. L. (2021). Enhancing the selection and performance of working dogs. Frontiers in veterinary science, 430. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.644431

Essler, J. L., Wilson, C., Verta, A. C., Feuer, R., & Otto, C. M. (2020). Differences in the search behavior of cancer detection dogs trained to have either a sit or stand-stare final response. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 118. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00118

Leighton, E. A., Hare, E., Thomas, S., Waggoner, L. P., & Otto, C. M. (2018). A solution for the shortage of detection dogs: a detector dog center of excellence and a cooperative breeding program. Frontiers in veterinary science, 284. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00284

Hare, E., Kelsey, K. M., Serpell, J. A., & Otto, C. M. (2018). Behavior differences between search-and-rescue and pet dogs. Frontiers in veterinary science, 118. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00118