WAG'D: Towards a Wearable Activity and Gait Detection Monitor for Sled Dogs

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3565995.3566042 ACI'22: Ninth International Conference on Animal-Computer Interaction, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom, December 2022 Sled dogs have performed vital services to mankind throughout history, transporting people, goods, mail, food, and medicines. Today, sled dog teams still provide transportation as well as sport, such as the famous Iditarod race. Studies show that of the 38% of dogs which drop out of long distance sled races, 51% drop due to orthopedic injuries. Sled dog mushers have limited ways of quantifying their dog's health while training and racing, mostly relying on visual observation. According to Iditarod mushers and veterinarians, the easiest way to detect injuries in sled dogs is through analysis of pull force and gait. We created a Wearable Activity and Gait Detection (WAG'D) monitor in an effort to identify early signs of gait and pull force changes, with the intent of reducing the number of injuries in sled dog racing. We so

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3565995.3566042 ACI'22: Ninth International Conference on Animal-Computer Interaction, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom, December 2022 Sled dogs have performed vital services to mankind throughout history, transporting people, goods, mail, food, and medicines. Today, sled dog teams still provide transportation as well as sport, such as the famous Iditarod race. Studies show that of the 38% of dogs which drop out of long distance sled races, 51% drop due to orthopedic injuries. Sled dog mushers have limited ways of quantifying their dog's health while training an