Latest news with #Stejskal
a day ago
- Health
Former K-9 busy as a bee sniffing out threats to Michigan State University colonies
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Researchers at a Michigan State University facility dedicated to protecting honey bees are enlisting a four-legged ally to sniff out danger to the prized pollinators. The Pollinator Performance Center's wide range of projects includes developing a training program for dogs to use their sensitive noses to uncover a bacterial disease called American foulbrood that threatens honey bee larvae. Bees and other pollinators have been declining for years because of disease, insecticides, climate change and lack of a diverse food supply. A considerable portion of the human diet comes from plants pollinated by bees. Maple, who once served as a human remains detection dog for the St. Joseph County sheriff's office, has created quite the buzz. The panting 9-year-old English springer spaniel stood patiently on a recent weekday as Sue Stejskal, her longtime owner, trainer and handler, slowly placed the retired K-9 in a yellow protective suit. The garment includes a veil for her head and four booties worn on her paws in case Maple steps on a bee. 'Much like with humans, we recognize that if a dog is going to be in an active bee yard, they need to wear the same personal protective equipment as people do,' said Stejskal, a Michigan State graduate who has been training dogs over a quarter-century for law enforcement and other uses. 'You can't buy them on Amazon for dogs. So, there's been some altering and testing.' Maple suffered an injury while on a case in Ontario, forcing her to retire as a detection K-9 in 2024. But fate intervened. Meghan Milbrath, an MSU professor whose lab studies risk factors that affect honey bees' health, was working to establish diagnostic and screening tools for honey bee diseases. A veterinarian who participated in a training about honey bees put Milbrath in touch with Stejskal. They met, and the dog detection plan was born. Stejskal then set about teaching an old dog a new trick. New to Maple, anyway. Maryland's agriculture department has also used canine detection methods in beehives. Michigan State's objective is to train many more dogs to join the ranks. Milbrath said she is documenting Maple's training and plans to write a book with Stejskal to educate other teams about their strategy. Maple, clad in her yellow suit, raced between hive boxes during a recent demonstration. When she found the scent clue left for her, Maple stopped at the box and coolly looked up at Stejskal. 'Good girl. Yes,' Stejskal enthusiastically said, before removing Maple's veil and tossing a green, Michigan State-branded toy her way. Stejskal recognizes the work they're doing is important. 'It's a cool project,' Stejskal said. 'But I was over-the-moon excited, because my dog would still have joy in her life and would still be able to work.'
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Former K-9 Maple is busy as a bee sniffing out threats to Michigan State University colonies
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Researchers at a Michigan State University facility dedicated to protecting honey bees are enlisting a four-legged ally to sniff out danger to the prized pollinators. The Pollinator Performance Center's wide range of projects includes developing a training program for dogs to use their sensitive noses to uncover a bacterial disease called American foulbrood that threatens honey bee larvae. Bees and other pollinators have been declining for years because of disease, insecticides, climate change and lack of a diverse food supply. A considerable portion of the human diet comes from plants pollinated by bees. Maple, who once served as a human remains detection dog for the St. Joseph County sheriff's office, has created quite the buzz. The panting 9-year-old English springer spaniel stood patiently on a recent weekday as Sue Stejskal, her longtime owner, trainer and handler, slowly placed the retired K-9 in a yellow protective suit. The garment includes a veil for her head and four booties worn on her paws in case Maple steps on a bee. 'Much like with humans, we recognize that if a dog is going to be in an active bee yard, they need to wear the same personal protective equipment as people do,' said Stejskal, a Michigan State graduate who has been training dogs over a quarter-century for law enforcement and other uses. 'You can't buy them on Amazon for dogs. So, there's been some altering and testing.' Maple suffered an injury while on a case in Ontario, forcing her to retire as a detection K-9 in 2024. But fate intervened. Meghan Milbrath, an MSU professor whose lab studies risk factors that affect honey bees' health, was working to establish diagnostic and screening tools for honey bee diseases. A veterinarian who participated in a training about honey bees put Milbrath in touch with Stejskal. They met, and the dog detection plan was born. Stejskal then set about teaching an old dog a new trick. New to Maple, anyway. Maryland's agriculture department has also used canine detection methods in beehives. Michigan State's objective is to train many more dogs to join the ranks. Milbrath said she is documenting Maple's training and plans to write a book with Stejskal to educate other teams about their strategy. Maple, clad in her yellow suit, raced between hive boxes during a recent demonstration. When she found the scent clue left for her, Maple stopped at the box and coolly looked up at Stejskal. 'It's a cool project,' Stejskal said. 'But I was over-the-moon excited, because my dog would still have joy in her life and would still be able to work.'
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Former K-9 Maple is busy as a bee sniffing out threats to Michigan State University colonies
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Researchers at a Michigan State University facility dedicated to protecting honey bees are enlisting a four-legged ally to sniff out danger to the prized pollinators. The Pollinator Performance Center's wide range of projects includes developing a training program for dogs to use their sensitive noses to uncover a bacterial disease called American foulbrood that threatens honey bee larvae. Bees and other pollinators have been declining for years because of disease, insecticides, climate change and lack of a diverse food supply. A considerable portion of the human diet comes from plants pollinated by bees. Maple, who once served as a human remains detection dog for the St. Joseph County sheriff's office, has created quite the buzz. The panting 9-year-old English springer spaniel stood patiently on a recent weekday as Sue Stejskal, her longtime owner, trainer and handler, slowly placed the retired K-9 in a yellow protective suit. The garment includes a veil for her head and four booties worn on her paws in case Maple steps on a bee. 'Much like with humans, we recognize that if a dog is going to be in an active bee yard, they need to wear the same personal protective equipment as people do,' said Stejskal, a Michigan State graduate who has been training dogs over a quarter-century for law enforcement and other uses. 'You can't buy them on Amazon for dogs. So, there's been some altering and testing.' Maple suffered an injury while on a case in Ontario, forcing her to retire as a detection K-9 in 2024. But fate intervened. Meghan Milbrath, an MSU professor whose lab studies risk factors that affect honey bees' health, was working to establish diagnostic and screening tools for honey bee diseases. A veterinarian who participated in a training about honey bees put Milbrath in touch with Stejskal. They met, and the dog detection plan was born. Stejskal then set about teaching an old dog a new trick. New to Maple, anyway. Maryland's agriculture department has also used canine detection methods in beehives. Michigan State's objective is to train many more dogs to join the ranks. Milbrath said she is documenting Maple's training and plans to write a book with Stejskal to educate other teams about their strategy. Maple, clad in her yellow suit, raced between hive boxes during a recent demonstration. When she found the scent clue left for her, Maple stopped at the box and coolly looked up at Stejskal. 'Good girl. Yes,' Stejskal enthusiastically said, before removing Maple's veil and tossing a green, Michigan State-branded toy her way. Stejskal recognizes the work they're doing is important. 'It's a cool project,' Stejskal said. 'But I was over-the-moon excited, because my dog would still have joy in her life and would still be able to work.'
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Science
- NZ Herald
This dog used to sniff out cold cases for police. Now she's saving bees by detecting bacteria
The ultimate goal is for Maple's work to serve as a blueprint for teaching canines to detect honeybee diseases. It's part of a larger bee conservation effort in a record-breaking year for colony death in the United States, according to a survey by Apiary Inspectors of America, Auburn University, and Oregon State University. The losses appear primarily driven by pesticides, pathogens, poor nutrition and pests, Milbrath said. The colony losses, estimated at 56% in the year beginning in April 2024, result in an 'increasing challenge to meeting the demand for crop pollination and honey production in the US,' the survey said. Maple follows the paw prints of other 'bee dogs' across the country that have delved into conservation - including Darwin, a German shorthaired pointer in North Carolina; Mack, a retired Labrador retriever from Maryland; and Mack's successor, Tukka, a springer spaniel. Maple's crossover into bee conservation came after she medically retired from police work, said her longtime handler, Sue Stejskal, who is also new to beekeeping. Stejskal said Maple took a misstep and got injured while they were working on a cold case in Canada, forcing her to step away in April 2024 after seven years as a human-remains detection dog. Stejskal retired alongside Maple. Fortuitously, Stejskal was introduced to Milbrath around the same time that the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture opened applications for grant funding. The team at MSU pitched a project on developing beekeeper resources and managing bacterial disease, agreeing that Maple and Stejskal would bring the expertise needed for the endeavour. Although Maple's new 'target odour' is distinct from her previous job, Stejskal said the fundamentals remain the same. Handlers expose the canines to a scent, offer a reward and teach the dog to conduct an action that means they've found the odour they're looking for. In Maple's case, she sits when she detects the smell. But bee colonies introduce many new and exciting smells for a dog's finely tuned nose. Stejskal said she has to train Maple to be familiar and comfortable with the new environment so the dog can focus on the target odour. 'And then the caveat with working around bees is, we had to outfit her,' Stejskal said. Stejskal worked with her daughter-in-law to fashion personal protective equipment for Maple. The duo picked out a children's bee suit and modified its measurements, though Stejskal said they were still perfecting it. Stejskal adjusts the bee suit to match the weather, at times adding a cooling vest, and she ensures Maple takes water breaks when necessary. Maple also wears dog boots to complete the outfit. Stejskal said she and Maple - a family since the dog was 10 weeks old - have enjoyed delving into bee conservation together. 'It's both of our retirement things. She's happy; it works for her,' Stejskal said of Maple. 'I call it work; for her, it's play.'
