Assistance for Blind Dogs

[Juggler325]

Hello, I am a high school senior looking to prototype a device that can help visually impaired dogs move about and avoid objects. The device would emit a noise when the dog nears an impediment. I am working out the specifics of the electronics in my other post, Help Designing a Circuit Board, in the other science category.

I am wondering about the cost versus benefit of such a project, however, and how much it would benefit the animal. Other solutions to canine blindness is to label obstacles with identifiable scents or build a sort of bumper that makes a halo around the dog's head. I am hoping to build something less invasive to the animal and more compact. The actual product may end up costing up to $75 though, and perhaps be as large as 3" x 3" x .5" (Hopefully, not).

Do you have any idea whether this type of project has been attempted before? I know complex sensors have been used before to assist visually impaired humans, but have simple sensors ever been used to help blind animals? Most importantly I am wondering whether the product would be useful or instead a more difficult solution to an easy problem. Is it viable? If you have any reccomendations or knowledge in this field, I would greatly appreciate your input. Thank you.

[leemays]

Juggler,

Have you tried contacting organizations who specialize in this area? If you haven't, you might try checking out the website http://www.blinddogs.com . You could contact them as I'm sure they keep on top of the latest technology available. There are also a lot of stories written by people who own blind dogs and that might give you some insight into what challenges dogs who are blind can overcome with their other senses, and what they still need help doing. This might help you focus your the benefits of your device on certain problem areas. Good luck!

[juggler325]

Thank you for your help. A couple weeks ago I had found the web page you mentioned however I have not yet contacted anyone through it. I will try to make those connections soon.

Up until now I have been mostly focusing on the device itself to make sure I could make it in the first place. Now I have to take a break from the electronics aspect and look at the zoological issues. I'm concerned that I may spend too much time on the prototyping only to realize that for some reason the device will not work for dogs. I'm also believing that the dog will learn by operant conditioning to change direction when the warning sound is emitted. If it doesn't my project is obviously purposeless.

I do have some understanding of a blind canine's needs because my Aunt owns a visually impaired dog. The dog is small, though and I would like to investigate a broad range of visually impaired dogs and see if a product could be designed to fit the needs of all of them. As it stands my idea may only be reasonable for larger dogs because of size issues.

Thank you once again for your helpful advice.

[rrainville]

According to Scientific Review Committee rules, all possible alternatives to vertebrate animal testing should be considered, such as simulations. My project, however, has the purpose of improving canine wellbeing and involves no negative stimuli. Since it would be used on dogs if actually marketed as a product is there any reason I shouldn't test it on real visually impaired canines? Ideally I don't even want to remove them from their natural home environment but instead test them where they are most comfortable and see if the device helps in their awareness and obstacle avoidance

I have considered skipping the actual animal testing anyway since I know through studies of Pavlov's dogs, classical conditioning, and the electric shock collar for dogs that canines will learn to associate something as neutral as a certain noise with proximity to an obstacle.

I guess my major problem is that my project has two parts, prototyping the device, and testing it on an actual dog. My main focus is prototyping the device yet most of the paperwork deals with the animal testing. My impression is that the SRC rules and regs. are mostly for animal projects that could involve dissection and such. Do I need the paperwork for something as non-invasive as my project? Would I need a qualified scientist?

See in reality my designated supervisor has been a school teacher who has helped me design and program my electronic device. The international rules state "If a student is experimenting with live vertebrates and the animals are in a situation where their behavior or habitat is influenced by humans, the Designated Supervisor must be knowledgeable about the humane care and handling of the animals". That teacher would not qualify under those guidelines yet he has played the most important role in my project. So how seriously should I pay attention to the SRC paperwork and requirements.

Sorry, I have presented quite a few questions but I'm hoping someone more experienced in this area may be able to help. Thanks.