Front Matter

Chapter 21 Conditions and Rehabilitation of the Working Dog 531

clinic might not fully prepare the dog for its
work. If a dog has to climb over suitcases
or rubble, or has to make sudden starts, stops,
or turns, the therapist should design and

incorporate exercises that attempt to mimic

these environments and thus appropriately

condition muscle fitness and neurological pro-

prioceptive responses.

The therapist should also be aware of

whether the dog could come into contact with

toxic materials. Being lower to the ground,

dogs are closer to spilled chemicals than their

human counterparts and are often sent to

search damaged buildings, exterior areas, and

cars, or to apprehend individuals in environ-

ments that might contain illegal drugs. As a

result, they might drink or ingest contami-

nated substances or fluids on the ground

(Figure  21.9). Exposures can occur via skin

(usually the feet), the gastrointestinal tract

(direct ingestion or by licking the feet), and/or

the respiratory tract (inhalation). Past expo-

sures could affect the dog’s pulmonary

response to therapeutic exercise (including the

underwater treadmill and pool), and exposure

while healing from an injury (e.g., if the dog is

deployed prior to complete recovery) could

interfere with physiological mechanisms

important for tissue healing and immunity.

Nearly a third of dogs used after the Oklahoma

City bombing displayed negative health

effects (including irritation from cement lime

and fiberglass) and 60% of dogs working the

World Trade Center after the 9/11 attack dis-

played some type of respiratory problem

(Duhaime et al., 1998; Fox et al., 2008).

When dealing with a MWD or a detection

dog that has been deployed to other areas of the

Figure 21.7 Poorly designed or fitting harnesses such as
this one can restrict a dog’s movement and/or create
areas of increased pressure that can lead to injuries.

Figure 21.8 This harness is not appropriately designed
to support a dog’s body when being air-lifted.

Figure 21.9 Working dogs are often in contact with toxic

materials on the ground, such as spills from vehicles.

Source: Photo by Andrea Booher, courtesy of FEMA.