"This is a fascinating book about the amazing ways dogs can, and do, help people with physical and emotional problems. The title isn’t stretching the truth: They really are 'Doctor Dogs.' On the other hand - and I mean this as a compliment - they would make terrible lawyers." (Dave Barry, Pulitzer-Prize winning and New York Times best-selling author of Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog and dozens of other books)
 

"Goodavage has done it again, with her fascinating investigation into the world of doctor dogs. Goodavage has expertly synthesized the latest scientific research on how dogs can even save us from invisible dangers lurking in our bodies. A testament to the extraordinary connection between dogs and ourselves, and one more piece of evidence that their love for us truly knows no bounds." (Brian Hare, New York Times best-selling author of The Genius of Dogs)

"Doctor Dogs is fascinating, beautifully researched and written - and deeply moving. Maria Goodavage takes the reader around the globe - from laboratories developing a better e-nose or working to understand what compounds dogs may be alerting to in cancer samples, to homes where service and detection dogs are saving the lives of their owners on a daily and even hourly basis, and to facilities doing sophisticated and nuanced training with dogs that have fine noses and love treats, toys, and praise. The reader will meet seizure-detection dogs, dogs who can detect the dangerous bacterium c-difficile, and dogs who can calm their humans suffering from PTSD. Goodavage doesn’t shy away from the training challenges, the sometimes disappointing study results, and the problems with dishonest organizations taking advantage of desperate families. But the reader comes away feeling hope and profound admiration for the complex new roles that dogs are playing in helping humans - and for the dedicated researchers, trainers, and owners who work tirelessly and lovingly with our best friends." (Cat Warren, author of the New York Times best seller What the Dog Knows)