Ok, this is going to be my last eyewear post. I don’t want you to think it’s an obsession. But I’m a sucker for working dogs — that’s right, Frankie; if I thought you were qualified for anything besides being charming, you’d be out earning your keep — and couldn’t resist reporting on the new search and rescue equipment detailed on the Petlenses website.

In training for search and rescue work
Outfitted for search and rescue detail

This industrious boxer is modeling a safety goggles and head-mounted camera combo being developed by Toronto’s Ryerson University for the Ontario Provincial Police Emergency Response Team. Based on the premise that dogs perform far better than robots when it comes to scrambling over rubble, this equipment — dubbed Canine Augmentation Technology (CAT) —  is designed to provide video and audio feedback  from unstable disaster sites.

All very inspirational —  except for one thing: These dogs, who will bravely put themselves in harm’s way, are being decked out with CAT. How disrespectful is that? Why not Dog Augmentation Technology (DAT)? Canine Augmentation Equipment (CAE)? Canine Complementry Equipment (CCE)… and that’s just off the top of my head. Those Canadian scientists are either acronym challenged or have a twisted sense of humor. For shame!

UPDATE: Alert Twitterer Eric Von Meter (@wordmoxie) came up with a brilliant one: Practical Ocular Outfitting for Canine Helpers. Thanks, Eric.

Any others?


3 thoughts on “CATs for dogs?”

  1. love the googles. the Petlenses link no longer works though. do you know where i can find these that fit snug undr the chin?

    1. I’m afraid I don’t know — it’s been a while since I posted this. But it looks from a quick search that a lot of places still sell them. Good luck!

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