Service Dogs & Emergency Situations
Service Dogs & Emergency Situations
Secondary facts
Service Dogs & Emergency Situations
Service dog alerts reduced response times by an average of 5 minutes
Secondary facts
Service dog alerts reduced response times by an average of 5 minutes
Service Dogs & Emergency Situations
98% of owner were satisfied with their dogs' communication abilities and felt safer with their dogs present
We aim to understand the interactions and behaviours of service dogs and their owners during emergency situations, to allow for critical response and help.
The communication enhancement for service dogs promotes inclusivity and aligns with SDG 3 by addressing specific health needs, contributing to universal well-being and reducing inequalities for individuals with chronic conditions.
Primary Research
Digital Ethnography
A service dog is trained to never leave the side of their owner during an emergency, except is there is a known person who they are trained to call
Dogs are taught some behaviors like nudging, pawing, barking etc to alert the owner and/or people in their surroundings about the need for medical assistance
Primary Research
Digital Ethnography
The primary role of a medical service dog is to alert (i.e. communicate) and provide medical service to its owner, the aspect of third party communication comes in situations where the owner is incapacitated.
Often, there is scope for miscommunication between the owner and their service dog, when the dog is turing or pawing them, as the owner is confused if it is a medical emergency or the dog requires food/ other attention
Primary Research
Digital Ethnography
A major predisposition we had was corrected when we learned that the dog is not trained to ask for help from people in public, as this could put the dog at risk.
The dog can sit or lay on top of the handler's body when they are unconscious and nudge or lick their face/neck to help wake them up.
Primary Research
Digital Ethnography
A major predisposition we had was corrected when we learned that the dog is not trained to ask for help from people in public, as this could put the dog at risk.
The dog can sit or lay on top of the handler's body when they are unconscious and nudge or lick their face/neck to help wake them up.
Primary Research
Digital Ethnography
Interview
The primary role of a medical service dog is to alert (i.e. communicate) and provide medical service to its owner, the aspect of third party communication comes in situations where the owner is incapacitated.
Often, there is scope for miscommunication between the owner and their service dog, when the dog is turing or pawing them, as the owner is confused if it is a medical emergency or the dog requires food/ other attention
Primary Research
Digital Ethnography
Interview
In short, who are we designing for?
In short, who are we designing for?
Diabetic or Seizure prone individuals who live alone and own a medical service dog
A solution may sound simple — just train the dog in a certain way — but it’s more complicated than that.
The challenge is to devise innovative methods that broaden the communication capabilities of service dogs, particularly during medical emergencies, ensuring timely intervention and improved outcomes for individuals with diabetes or seizure disorders while minimizing cognitive load on the dogs.
A solution may sound simple — just train the dog in a certain way — but it’s more complicated than that.
A solution may sound simple — just train the dog in a certain way — but it’s more complicated than that.
The challenge is to devise innovative methods that broaden the communication capabilities of service dogs, particularly during medical emergencies, ensuring timely intervention and improved outcomes for individuals with diabetes or seizure disorders while minimizing cognitive load on the dogs.
A solution may sound simple — just train the dog in a certain way — but it’s more complicated than that.
The challenge is to devise innovative methods that broaden the communication capabilities of service dogs, particularly during medical emergencies, ensuring timely intervention and improved outcomes for individuals with diabetes or seizure disorders while minimizing cognitive load on the dogs.
Ideas
Ideas
Bark or bite sensors
Ideas
Bark or bite sensors
Smart vest with interactive buttons
Ideas
Smart vest with interactive buttons
Bark or bite sensors
Touchscreen
Final Design Solution
Final Design Solution
Seamless Outdoor Alerts
Seamless Outdoor Alerts
Final Design Solution
Seamless Outdoor Alerts
Seamless Outdoor Alerts
Cost-Effective Universal Solution
Final Design Solution
Seamless Outdoor Alerts
Cost-Effective Universal Solution
Rapid Emergency Response
Final Design Solution
Seamless Outdoor Alerts
Cost-Effective Universal Solution
Rapid Emergency Response
Simple Training Mechanics
Final Design Solution
Seamless Outdoor Alerts
Cost-Effective Universal Solution
Rapid Emergency Response
Simple Training Mechanics
Reduced Cognitive Load on the dog
User Scenario
Details of the
Design
SOS buttons included on the top right and left of the vest, in places where the dog has mobility to reach with its nose and press the button
Vest designed, keeping in mind the ergonomics and mobility of the dog, along with space to place the buttons
Details of the
Design
Details of the
Design
Vest which can get flat, to place on the floor at home to use as an indoor SOS device, eliminating the need to invest in 2 devices
Details of the
Design
Usage of shapes to aid in training the dog to press a particular button in a given situation
Evaluation
User Feedback with Sean Diamond, VP of ICAN
(Indiana Canine Assistant Network)
Insights from the user feedback session:
Having an emergency SOS device for service dogs to notify 911 and/or the owner’s friends/family in outdoor settings would be helpful, as currently such devices are only available as stationary fixtures at home.
Insights from the user feedback session:
Having an emergency SOS device for service dogs to notify 911 and/or the owner’s friends/family in outdoor settings would be helpful, as currently such devices are only available as stationary fixtures at home.
When a a dog is in outdoor settings along with a vest, it knows that it is in service mode and it has to take care of its owner, while when they are at home, the dog knows it can turn on its playful mode
Insights from the user feedback session:
Having an emergency SOS device for service dogs to notify 911 and/or the owner’s friends/family in outdoor settings would be helpful, as currently such devices are only available as stationary fixtures at home.
When a a dog is in outdoor settings along with a vest, it knows that it is in service mode and it has to take care of its owner, while when they are at home, the dog knows it can turn on its playful mode
Training dogs to use this device (our concept) would take as much time as alerting third parties through pressing a button at home, thus usage of this device doesn’t lead to additional time or costs for training.
Respect the Vest,
Ask Before Petting,
Give Space
A helping hand