You CAN ask that March 2026

This month, we are sharing a special edition of You CAN Ask That, featuring BioPaws Detection.

Sometimes there are topics that come up again and again in the community, and assistance dogs are one of them. There is a lot of curiosity, and also a lot of misunderstanding.

So we created space to ask the questions people are often unsure about, and BioPaws Detection have generously shared their knowledge to help build clearer understanding.

About BioPaws Detection

BioPaws Detection is currently focused on training and researching medical detection dogs — dogs who work in controlled scent sample environments to help advance scientific understanding of conditions like PoTS and other autonomic disorders.

As a newly established not for profit, their immediate priority is building capacity for ethical, evidence based scent detection research.

They are also actively fundraising for essential equipment, including their dog lab coats, and will be participating in the HBF Run for a Reason to support this work.

While their long term vision includes developing facility trained medical alert assistance dogs, this is not part of their current operations. Right now, their work centres on research, training, and community education.

Learn more or support their work here: https://www.biopawsdetection.org.au/‍

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Your Questions Answered

1. What is the difference between an assistance, service, support, or detection dog?

Assistance dogs, also called service dogs in some countries, are highly trained to perform specific tasks that support a person with disability and have legal public access rights in Australia. There is no specific breed, and these dogs can come in many shapes and sizes.

Support dogs provide emotional comfort but are not task trained and do not have public access rights.

Detection dogs are trained to identify specific odours, such as medical scent signatures, in controlled environments. They support research or operational tasks but do not accompany individuals in public.

Alert dogs are a type of assistance dog trained to detect physiological changes in their handler, for example PoTS, diabetes, or seizures, and alert them before symptoms escalate.

2. If someone is on the ground and their dog is on them, should I call 000?

If someone is unconscious, unresponsive, or you are unsure whether they are safe, call 000.

Some trained dogs lie across their handler to provide deep pressure or prevent injury, but you should still check if the person is responsive and ask if they need help.

3. How do you train dogs to detect things like this?

Medical detection dogs learn through structured scent training.

They are exposed to carefully collected scent samples in a controlled environment and rewarded for correctly identifying the target odour. Over time, they learn to recognise extremely subtle chemical changes linked to specific physiological states.

4. How can I support someone who has an assistance dog?

Speak to the person, not the dog, and give them space to work.

Do not distract the dog in any way, as this may cause them to miss an alert or important task, which can put their handler at risk.

Follow any instructions the handler gives. If you are unsure, simply ask. Most handlers are happy to explain what they need.

5. What do you wish more people understood about assistance dogs?

They are highly trained medical or disability supports, not pets.

They may look calm and friendly, but they are concentrating on keeping their handler safe. Interacting with them without permission can interrupt their work and put the handler at risk.

Breed does not determine legitimacy

There is no specific breed required for a dog to be an assistance dog. What matters is training, task performance, and public behaviour, not size, colour, or breed.

Smaller dogs or less “traditional” breeds are just as capable of performing life changing tasks. A dog’s appearance does not make them any less valid, important, or legally protected.

6. Can I ever pat the dog?

Always ask first.

Some handlers will say yes, others will say no, and both are completely valid.

If the dog is working, resting, or supporting their handler through symptoms, they should not be touched.

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This special edition is about building understanding.

When we understand the role of assistance and detection dogs, we create safer, more respectful, and more inclusive communities.

Sometimes the best way to support someone is simple, respect their space, listen, and ask when you are unsure.

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