Metallica and Tool are among some of the high-profile acts that have or will be using COVID-sniffing dogs at recent shows.
In a report from Rolling Stone, an Ohio-based organization called Bio-Detection K9 has trained a team of 12 dogs that can sniff out the COVID virus, even the new Omicron variant. More dogs are currently undergoing the six-week training course to be added to this team.
In addition to Metallica and Tool (the latter of which will be using a different team of dogs other than the one trained by Bio-Detection K9), other acts that have utilized the services of these dogs include The Black Keys and Eric Church.
John Peets, head of the Nashville branch of artist management firm Q Prime, told Rolling Stone of the dogs, “So far, knock on wood, the dogs have been knocking it out of the park. We haven’t had a dog miss anybody.”
Additionally, Bio-Detection K9 president Jerry Johnson said, “People say, ‘What’s that dog doing?’ It surprises them and they’re pessimistic, but if you understand the instincts of a dog’s behavior, it makes a lot of sense. Dogs sniff each other to see if that other dog has a virus. We’re training them to look for something they’d be interested in anyway.”
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