The Medical Detection Dogs charity is at the forefront of research into a number of life-threatening diseases using odour recognition, while also providing medical alert assistance and companionship to those in the community who need it most.

Their Bio Detection Dogs are trained to find the odour of diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease and bacterial infections, aiding in early diagnosis. Their Medical Alert Assistance Dogs are trained to detect subtle changes in an individual’s personal odour that indicate an impending medical event. This allows them to alert their owners, helping manage complex medical conditions while promoting independence and confidence.

The Spectris Foundation provided an unrestricted grant to Medical Detection Dogs in 2023, and during the grant period, 20 new Medical Alert Assistance Dogs have been placed, changing the lives of 20 individuals, and their families. This brings their total to over two hundred lifechanging partnerships, with dogs alerting for eight different complex and life limiting conditions, since the charity’s inception 15 years ago.

One of the 20 life changing dogs to be placed with someone in need over the past year was Dixie. Dixie was placed with Freya, who was diagnosed with Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder at just 16 years old. Before Dixie, Freya’s condition quickly spiralled out of control, causing serious injuries and once requiring an air ambulance trip to a specialist hospital. Her high risk of self-injury meant Freya had to leave university and return home, she gave up all her hobbies and become severely isolated. This all changed when Dixie, the Cocker Spaniel, was placed with Freya.

Freya said “She has been incredible and not missed an alert since the day she arrived.” Dixie’s alerting has allowed Freya to return to university, and she is currently completing a Master’s degree at The University of Cambridge in Chemical Engineering. She says: “The best part of having Dixie is the independence and reduction in stress that my parents, friends and I have. I trust that she will keep me safe. This has allowed me to get back to living like a more normal 24-year-old.”

We are thrilled to have been able to support Medical Detection Dogs with a grant and it’s fantastic to see the difference the grant has made to individuals such as Freya.