6:20am Thursday 8th April 2010
The small but enthusiastic Oxon Support Group for Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs is looking for volunteers to help their exciting young charity. Based near Bicester, the charity trains dogs to use their noses to help cancer research scientists, and to assist people with potentially fatal health conditions such as hypoglycaemia and Addisonian crisis.
Whilst this is a new method of cancer detection, the charity’s Heather Shute says that with many existing anecdotal stories of dogs detecting cancer, ‘there is now scientific proof that dogs can detect the characteristic odour of cancer cells’.
The current team of cancer detection dogs is approaching the end of a project with scientists at Amersham hospital, detecting bladder cancer in urine samples. The dogs are very good at detecting the early stages, not so easy for the doctors. From the research the results are analysed and papers produced. It is envisaged that this work will eventually enable scientists to develop an electronic ‘nose’ system for earlier diagnosis of cancer in a non-invasive way. These dogs, mostly Labradors and Spaniels, live in family foster homes, and come to ‘work’ three days a week. They find it very exciting, as do all ‘sniffer’ dogs.
Medical assistance dogs are of a different type (for example, Whippet, Shih Tzu crossbreed, mongrel), and chosen for their keenness to bond with people, as well as good scenting ability. The charity has placed 8 Diabetes Hypo alert Dogs, with two more about to qualify, and the world’s first Addison’s disease Alert Dog. Hypoglycaemia (dangerously low blood sugar) in some diabetic people, happens with no warning. This can be life-threatening and can reduce quality of life for whole families.
The dogs are trained to alert their owners by pawing and licking when they detect hypoglycaemia, and then fetching the required medication. Similarly, Addison’s disease can cause sudden loss of consciousness, and Coco, the chocolate Labrador, has completely changed his owner’s life by alerting in time for her to take appropriate action.
About 70 per cent of dogs naturally detect the scent of such conditions as epilepsy and diabetes, and only need to be trained to react appropriately. The Oxon Support group is hoping to recruit volunteers for puppy socialising, and helpers for fundraising events and also gives give talks to interested groups.
To join the Sniff for Life campaign, call the charity at 01296 655888, or email simone.guest@cancerdogs.co.uk
To contact the Oxon group phone 01993 831909 or email oxon.supportgrp@cancerdogs.co.uk
Charity website: www.cancerdogs.co.uk and www.hypoalertdogs.co.uk
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