Not to be sniffed at…

Our worthy nominated charity of the year during 2017 is Medical Detection Dogs, based locally in nearby Great Horwood, but with a national focus.

Most people have heard of Guide Dogs, also often miscommunicated as “Blind Dogs”. However, few have heard about many of the ways dogs can physically and metaphorically open doors for people with disabilities and medical conditions, leading them to improved independence, better quality of life and enhanced mental and physical wellbeing.

With ambassadors such as Dragons Den luminary Deborah Meaden, TV presenters Ann Robinson and Kate Humble, Downton actress Lesley Nicol and Daily Mail Editor Andrew Pierce, is helping lead the way in this groundbreaking area.

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to detect the odour of human disease. It is at the forefront of the research into the fight against cancer and helping people with life-threatening diseases.

The charity’s Bio-Detection Dogs are trained to find the odour of diseases, such as cancer, in samples such as urine, breath and swabs, and their Medical Alert Assistance Dogs are trained to detect minute changes in an individual’s personal odour triggered by their disease and alert them to an impending medical event.

The charity receives no government funding for the work they do and relies entirely on the generosity of donations from trusts and the public.

Keep watching our website to see how we are helping Medical Detection Dogs, and find out more about this vital service by checking out their Facebook page and looking at their charity website online.