Super Sniffers: Dog Detectives on the Job

Gr 3-5--This well-written work focuses on trained dogs who use their innate, powerful sense of smell to benefit the world. After an introduction about the basics of canine nasal acuity, Patent breaks the topic down into three categories: "Searching and Saving," "Helping Planet Earth," and "Medical Alert Dogs." Meaningful text and spot-on photography unlock the mysteries, showing specialized skills, effective training methods, and specific canine personality requirements that, when put together, create amazing possibilities. Emergency rescue personnel use sniffer dogs to help locate the wounded after disasters. The military and police rely on the uncanny dogs' sense of smell to identify explosives, illegal drugs, or other serious dangers. Biologists and scientists study environmental concerns on land or sea, using these animals to find endangered species or invasive plant species. Medical personnel fight deadly diseases or allergies with the help of trained dogs that have the extraordinary ability to identify imminent emergencies, thus eliminating the need for constant extensive medical testing. Readers will be stunned by the abilities of these highly trained, talented dogs. This expertly written, engaging text may even prompt some kids to team up with the family pets to learn more about dogs' extraordinary sense of smell.--Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

Patent provides an extensive and eye-opening look at how dogs are trained for a variety of service capacities, including in the military, for search-and-rescue operations, and as medical alert dogs. Occasional profiles of individual dogs appear amid larger, photo-heavy discussions of the wide variety of jobs these dogs do and how they are trained. Lily, a Labrador retriever mix, was able to put her "intense and active" personality to work tracking down gorilla dung for scientists, while a dog named Oakley serves as a companion to a diabetic boy, alerting his parents if his blood drops too low. Ages 7-10. Agent: Susan Schulman, Susan Schulman Literary Agency. (Sept.)