Sensor-Equipped Harness Monitors Guide Dog Stress

Nov-18-15 A new harness for guide dogs that monitor’s the animal’s vitals could make it easier for blind owners to determine when their dog is stressed.

One behavioral aspect of guide dogs is their ability to remain outwardly calm even during times of stress, which can make it difficult to recognize if the animal is feeling comfortable or not.

Created by a team from North Carolina State University, the harness is equipped with an electrocardiogram and a plethysmograph that monitor the dog’s heart rate and breathing. The data is sent to an onboard microcomputer for processing, and from there can be transmitted either as audio cues in a headset or via vibrating motors in the handle that mimic the dog’s heartbeat and breathing.

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[GIZMAG.COM]
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