Canines for Care Program

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is grateful to The Rix Family Foundation for helping VGH pilot a canine scent detection program to track down harmful infections like C. difficile.

C. difficile is a highly contagious bacterium that causes infection of the colon, often infecting people who’ve recently taken antibiotics. In Canada, there are approximately 16,100 cases every year, with an estimated 64% being hospital related. If a patient is infected with C. difficile, the patient will stay up to an average of 1 week longer in the hospital.

The program features both canines and their handlers (Canine Detection Specialists) to conduct scent detections. Since its pilot in 2018, the program has grown from two dogs and two Canine Detection Specialists, to now seven dogs and five Canine Detection Specialists. Expanding beyond C. difficile, dogs are also detecting COVID pathogens.

Between 2018 to Sept 2023:

The team conducted 2184 screenings
On average, 76% of areas searched had at least one alert.
On average, there were 2.9 alerts found per screening.

Due to the overwhelming success of the pilot, the program has now received funding from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) to fully operationalize and integrate their services. The program has also been featured in multiple publications and received several awards. It is now also being trialed at Fraser Health Authority and Northern Health Authority.

Testimonials

“When you think of the impact of C. difficile in terms of mortality, morbidity, and the time it takes to control the infection once it breaks out, having dogs like Angus and Dodger are highly cost effective.” – Terry Lake, BC Minister of Health (2013-2017) and current CEO, BC Care Providers Association

“The immunocompromised oncology patients are already so susceptible to infections, and they don’t have any ability to fight off bacteria. They are reliant on the health care team to stop the spread. The health care team includes 4-legged members as well, and it always brings smiles to everyone that sees them love their job so much, complete with a wagging tail.” – Rebecca St. Jean, RN, BSN, CONC, BMTCM, Leukemia/ Bone Marrow Transplant Program of BC, VGH