Learn more about the life and work of SpotitEarly’s canine partners

At SpotitEarly, our dogs are not just part of our groundbreaking screening process — they are valued partners in our mission to transform early cancer detection. Dr. Irit Gazit, Director of Canine Applied Research at SpotitEarly emphasizes, “We give them all the mental and physical stimulation they need to have a perfect life.”

The relationship between humans and dogs is one of nature’s most extraordinary partnerships. At SpotitEarly, this bond is at the heart of everything we do. By prioritizing the welfare of our canine partners, we not only enhance their ability to contribute to our mission but also honor the unique role they play in shaping a brighter future for healthcare.

Our commitment to animal welfare is included in our brand values, which underpin how we operate as a company. Canine Care emphasizes that “we truly care for our 4-legged partners’ well-being. We provide them the best nutrition, space to exercise, playtime, tons of love, warmth, and their favorite goodies.”

This post takes you behind the scenes at HQ to explore how our specialist staff put that value into action every day. It also details how we ensure the dogs’ long term health and wellbeing.

Building skills

Dogs have an unparalleled sense of smell. In fact, it’s estimated to be between 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours. But turning this biological gift into a clinical tool requires a careful blend of science, patience and compassion. At SpotitEarly, every dog therefore goes through a tailored training program designed to hone these instincts, while respecting their individual needs and personality.

Training begins with familiarization, where the dogs are gradually introduced to the scent of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with cancer. This phase is conducted through positive reinforcement methods, ensuring that the process is both effective and enjoyable for every dog.

As Yossi Melamed, our VP of Canine Operations emphasizes, “Everything here is done with positive reinforcement. There’s no coercion, no aggressive correction. Just positive reinforcement.”

Once they are comfortable with the scents and start making accurate decisions, the dogs move on to more complex tasks. They are then trained to distinguish VOC patterns among various samples, using a step-by-step approach that ensures high levels of accuracy without overwhelming them. Over time, the dogs learn to identify even the faintest signals, demonstrating sensitivity levels that often surpass traditional screening technologies.

And as Melamed suggests, we’re not even scratching the surface of what the dogs can do: “The dogs’ capabilities are much, much higher than we’re utilizing now.”

A day in the life of a SpotitEarly dog

The dogs’ daily routines are carefully structured by our expert team to balance work with play, rest and socialization. Their well-being really is our highest priority, and so we design their schedules to ensure they remain engaged, happy and healthy.

Their day starts at 6:30 AM when one of the trainers takes the dogs to the yard for exercise, whilst a colleague cleans their kennels. Working in short bursts and with regular breaks to rest and play, dogs usually train between 8:30 AM to 12 PM and then continue after a lunch break until 4:30 PM. Dogs not actively working are taken on walks and given playtime.

At 4:30 PM, the working dogs are returned to their kennel, and at 6 PM, all dogs are taken into the yard again for play and exercise. Every dog is returned to the kennels at around 8:30 PM.

To ensure the dogs’ safety and well-being, a member of staff physically checks on them twice during the night. Cameras also monitor the kennels both inside and out, while security personnel are alerted to any unusual activity.

Meeting every need

Our expert team takes a comprehensive approach to the health and well-being of our canine team. This includes regular checkups, a nutritious diet tailored to their needs and regular exercise routines.

A veterinarian is on call 24/7 and conducts a monthly physical examination of all the dogs, ensuring their health and addressing any medical issues. We also ensure that all dogs regularly run on the treadmill, in addition to their walks outside, to maintain their physical fitness – this is considered crucial for both their health and mental well-being.

We also pay close attention to the psychological well-being of our dogs. Their behaviour, when on their own or with other dogs, is closely monitored for any signs of unhappiness. By fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment, we ensure they are not only effective in their roles but also content and fulfilled.

Social interaction is also a priority; the dogs are given ample opportunities to bond with their handlers and peers, further fostering a sense of companionship and belonging.

As summarized above, SpotItEarly adheres to a high standard of canine welfare, even exceeding the requirements of existing regulations. While not a legal requirement, the company voluntarily meets the strict conditions of the US Animal Welfare Act’s Blue Book. Additionally, we follow Israeli Animal Welfare legislation and regulations for keeping animals for non-agricultural purposes.

For Dr. Gazit, this is non-negotiable; “We know that the standards are not mandatory for us, but we want to meet them. These are very strict conditions and we’re fully meeting them.”

Ongoing care

At every stage of their work with SpotitEarly, our dogs are treated with the utmost respect. The training routines are carefully designed to be rewarding and enjoyable, ensuring they’re always enthusiastic about their work.

As well as carefully monitoring their health, SpotitEarly conducts ongoing evaluations of the dogs’ performance and regularly reviews their training schedules. This ensures that we can include any new training insights and address any challenges.

For instance, if a dog shows signs of distraction or inconsistency, trainers analyze the situation to identify the cause – whether that’s environmental stress, changes in scent patterns or even the dog’s mood that day. Adjustments can then be made to the training or testing conditions to improve outcomes without compromising the dog’s comfort. “Every Sunday, we come in, sit down and analyze the dogs’ work,” says Melamed. “We review the data and consider how we can better support each dog.”

When a dog reaches the end of its working life, we ensure a smooth transition into retirement. Each dog is lovingly rehomed with families who can provide the attention, care and companionship they deserve. Many of these families have children with special educational needs or have members who’ve served in the military.

Looking ahead, we are continuously refining our processes to improve both diagnostic outcomes and the quality of life for our dogs. As we scale operations and expand our applications, we remain clear in our commitment to our canine teammates’ welfare. After all, their success is our success, and their well-being is integral to the integrity of our work.

Discover more about our pioneering work and the incredible contributions of our canine team at SpotitEarly.com. Together, we’re building a future where early cancer detection can transform lives.