This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. The earliest record of dogs assisting humans with disabilities dates back to ancient Rome, in the first century A.D.

Melody shows us a creative use of wearable computing that enables humans and their service dogs to better communicate and by doing so improve the quality of life for humans with disabilities. The closer collaboration also keeps humans engaged in hazardous jobs such as those serving on bomb detection/removal squads safer.

Melody Moore Jackson's research qualifications and personal passion make her uniquely qualified to give this talk on how facilitating better communications between humans and service dogs can improve the quality of life for humans living with physical disabilities and keeping first-responders such as members of the bomb squad safer.

She is the director of the Animal-Computer Interaction Lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology, one of the top public research universities in the United States. Her research, which includes brain-computer interfaces, assistive technology for people with physical disabilities and animal interaction, has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and DARPA.

Melody has been training dogs and horses for more than 30 years. She has served as a volunteer puppy-raiser for Canine Companions for Independence since 1995.


About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

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