Researchers at SIU are working to better understand caring for service animals – The Southern

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Erin Perry, an associate professor in the SIU School of Agricultural Sciences, uses her dog, Zorro, a FEMA certified search dog, to demonstrate just one of the many types of working dogs during a presentation to a class on Tuesday. The school is leading the way in researching and expanding the human-dog partnership and finding new ways to benefit both.
The relationship between people and dogs is unique. Not only do canines provide loyal companionship, but a growing number of dogs work with humans as therapy animals, part of law enforcement, on rescue teams or in support environments.
Sometimes a dog’s work is to help humans recover from dangerous situations, but how do the humans help their canine partners with their own dangerous situations?
Southern Illinois University Carbondale animal science Professor Erin Perry has some ideas.
Perry first realized the need to look out for working dogs when she accompanied her search dog, Pic, in efforts following the Joplin, Missouri tornado more than a decade ago. Pic eventually developed sever liver failure as a result of contaminant exposure during of the search assignment.
“After I almost lost her and as a scientist, I started digging a little bit more into the methods and procedures we use to decontaminate or wash our dogs at the end of a mission like that,” Perry explained. “I discovered there was really no data that really validated the recommendations that were in place at the time.”
She said her experience led her to improve the way working dogs are cared for after their shifts.
Erin Perry, an associate professor in the SIU School of Agricultural Sciences, uses her dog, Zorro, a FEMA certified search dog, to demonstrate just one of the many types of working dogs during a presentation to a class on Tuesday. The school is leading the way in researching and expanding the human-dog partnership and finding new ways to benefit both.
“I’ve made it a mission that no one else will ever have to suffer that same devastating experience and I am determined to provide evidence-based hygiene and decontamination recommendations for working dogs,” she explained.
Perry’s efforts are rooted in common sense related to hygiene and nutrition.
When people are exposed to potentially toxic conditions such as may be present in the aftermath of a storm or a search-and-rescue operation, they wear a variety of protective gear which they can take off at the end of the shift, prior to showering. Dogs don’t always have that option.
“We could take off our dirty clothes, but dogs can’t take off their fur. Search dogs need specialized procedures, specific types of shampoos and such, to really keep them safe,” she explained.
Perry said her work is trying to identify the most appropriate methods and products for bathing dogs after potential exposures. The goal is to benefit both dog and handler.
“We’re working to make sure the dog is clean and it’s not bringing home those contaminants and then getting on the couch or getting on the bed. We’re doing it in a way that is effective, safe for the dog and keeps the dog from potentially bringing home contaminating pathogens,” she explained.
She said the recommendations under development will be especially important given that many working dogs such as those trained as companions for humans with specific medical concerns.
“Often medical service dogs are assigned or that partner with people who have a medical need; maybe they are immune-compromised, and immune compromised situation could be potentially very, very dangerous for them,” she outlined. “We have to make sure that those dogs are safe when they come home.”
After traveling to new places or working in extreme conditions, people also can debrief and find other ways to de-stress following an assignment. Again, canines may not be able to do that and often the stresses show as illnesses, Perry said.
 “These environments where dogs are working are very stressful,” Perry explained. “I’ve seen problems or issues from stress – gastrointestinal problems and issues related to exposure – these issues may be amplified in these disciplines. Part of what we are trying to understand is how we can change or manage their nutrition to prevent some of those problems.”
Perry said her research not only improves the health of working dogs, it also makes them more efficient in that work.
“The work that we do is certainly targeted towards working dogs whose very performance impacts human lives. When those dogs do their jobs that usually means a human’s life is on the line,” she said.
‘Piggy Smalls’ stretches on a patch of grass on Wednesday outside SIU Credit Union in Carbondale. The SIT Service Dogs organization has been delivering piggy-grams and puppy-grams to Southern Illinois residents while raising money to keep service animal costs down for patients.
Kristen Dietz, a commercial loan officer from De Soto, reacts while feeding ‘Piggy Smalls’ on Wednesday at SIU Credit Union in Carbondale. Dietz’s husband purchased a piggy-gram from the SIT Service Dog group to surprise her for Valentine’s Day. “He’s really good with surprises – just very out of the box,” Dietz said. “I never thought in a million years a pig would come through.”
Kristen Dietz, a commercial loan officer from De Soto, reacts while speaking to Daniel Bradley, SIT Service Dogs client services manager, on Wednesday at SIU Credit Union in Carbondale. Dietz’s husband purchased a piggy-gram from the SIT Service Dog group to surprise her for Valentine’s Day.
‘Piggy Smalls’ struts around the office of Kristen Dietz, of De Soto, on Wednesday at SIU Credit Union in Carbondale. Dietz’s husband purchased a piggy-gram from the SIT Service Dog group to surprise her for Valentine’s Day.
Daniel Bradley, SIT Service Dogs client services manager, and ‘Piggy Smalls’ get off of the SIT Service Dogs school bus for a piggy-gram delivery on Thursday outside of Allied Physicians and Rehab in Carbondale.
Stephanie Fulton, of Marion, reacts after Keesha Lo, of Herrin, says she can pet ‘Piggy Smalls’ after receiving a piggy-gram from her husband, William, on Thursday in Carbondale.
Keesha Lo, of Herrin, holds out her hand to attempt feeding ‘Piggy Smalls’ a carrot on Thursday in Carbondale. Lo received a piggy-gram from her husband, William, for Valentines Day. The SIT Service Dogs, the organization delivering the ‘grams’ hopes to improve the lives of people with disabilities due to progressive and chronic diseases and trauma.
Keesha Lo, of Herrin, cuddles up to ‘Piggy Smalls,’ after receiving a piggy-gram from her husband, William, to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday at Tonic HeadQuarters Hair Salon in Carbondale.
Cecily Jester, of New Castle, Indiana, smiles as Tonic Hair Salon hairstylists react to ‘Piggy Smalls,’ a SIT Service Dogs therapy pig, on Thursday in Carbondale.
Tony, a 7-month old Labrador retriever, smiles at patrons of Tonic Hair Salon on Thursday in Carbondale. Tony is being trained to be a service dog through the SIT Service Dogs group and is part of this year’s puppy-grams to raise money in order to keep service dog costs down for patients.
Tony, a 7-month old Labrador retriever, licks his nose Thursday at Tonic Hair Salon in Carbondale. Tony is being trained to be a service dog through the SIT Service Dogs group and is part of this year’s puppy-grams to raise money in order to keep service dog costs down for patients.
Keesha Lo, of Herrin, reacts as Tony, a 7-month old Labrador retriever, licks her face Thursday at Tonic HeadQuarters Hair Salon in Carbondale. The SIT Service Dogs organization has delivered puppy-grams to southern Illinois residents while raising money to keep service dog costs down for patients.
Kelly Snyder, of De Soto, reacts as a piggy-gram is delivered to her Thursday at Allied Physicians and Rehab in Carbondale.
Kelly Snyder, of De Soto, reacts as a piggy-gram is delivered to her Thursday at Allied Physicians and Rehab in Carbondale. Snyder said receiving the piggy-gram was one of the best moments of her life.
‘Piggy Smalls’ eats a pretzel out of the hand of Kelly Snyder, of De Soto, on Thursday at Allied Physicians and Rehab in Carbondale. The SIT Service Dogs, the organization delivering the ‘grams’ hopes to improve the lives of people with disabilities due to progressive and chronic diseases and trauma.

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Erin Perry, an associate professor in the SIU School of Agricultural Sciences, uses her dog, Zorro, a FEMA certified search dog, to demonstrate just one of the many types of working dogs during a presentation to a class on Tuesday. The school is leading the way in researching and expanding the human-dog partnership and finding new ways to benefit both.
Erin Perry, an associate professor in the SIU School of Agricultural Sciences, uses her dog, Zorro, a FEMA certified search dog, to demonstrate just one of the many types of working dogs during a presentation to a class on Tuesday. The school is leading the way in researching and expanding the human-dog partnership and finding new ways to benefit both.
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