John Greenwood, Chair, The Hospital Saturday Fund, and Paul Jackson, Group Chief Executive, The Hospital Saturday Fund, met with Emma Bird, Philanthropy Manager, Medical Detection Dogs, to present a cheque for £10,000 in support of Community Medical Detection Dogs to help detect urinary tract infections in the elderly, vulnerable and neurologically compromised individuals.
About us
Pioneering Disease Detection through Canine Olfaction
Medical Detection Dogs is a pioneering charity dedicated to training dogs in the detection of the odour of human diseases. Their mission is to develop faster, more efficient, and less invasive diagnostic methods that lead to better patient outcomes. Dogs’ exceptional sense of smell allows them to detect specific odours associated with various diseases. This innovative approach has the potential to benefit millions.
Leading the Fight Against Disease
The charity is at the forefront of research in the fight against cancer and other life-threatening diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and bacterial infections. Their Bio Detection Dogs are trained to identify disease odours in samples like urine, breath, and sweat. Notably, these dogs can detect early-stage cancers, including prostate, bladder, and breast cancer, by identifying volatile substances released by cancer cells.
Astonishing Pathogen Detection
The Medical Detection Dogs project focuses on the testing of dangerous bacterial pathogens, like E. coli, in individuals or patients who are vulnerable. This testing can be carried out through either urine sample analysis or by passively engaging dogs to screen a broader group, such as residents in a care home. A demonstration was conducted to showcase the remarkable capabilities of these dogs as they consistently identified the E. coli sample.
Going Beyond Detection: Medical Alert Assistance Dogs
Moreover, Medical Detection Dogs go beyond disease detection by training Medical Alert Assistance Dogs. These dogs can detect subtle changes in an individual’s odour caused by their disease, allowing them to anticipate impending medical events. This support significantly improves the quality of life for those with complex medical conditions, such as diabetes.
Visit Highlights
During the visit, Paul Jackson met Sophie Aziz, Head of Research, who provided a tour of the Dog Training Centre and the charity’s administration centre. He was impressed by the growth and development of these facilities since his last visit in 2011.
Paul Jackson expressed his strong belief in the unique benefits offered by Medical Alert Assistance Dogs. He has witnessed firsthand the transformative effect of these dogs on people’s lives.
The Grant
Paul Jackson, along with John Greenwood, Chair of The Hospital Saturday Fund, met with Emma Bird, Philanthropy Manager at Medical Detection Dogs and presented a cheque for £10,000 to support Community Medical Detection Dogs in their efforts to detect urinary tract infections in the elderly, vulnerable, and neurologically compromised individuals.
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