DOGS make great companions, but some dogs are more than just 'man's best friend', often saving lives through their sense of smell, as a West Devon volunteer will explain in a talk about Medical Detection Dogs next week.
The Medical Detection Dogs charity is in two parts. It trains dogs to use their sense of smell to alert their owners prior to a medical emergency, so ther animal can detect changes in the blood sugar levels of diabetics, recognise the onset of seizures, detect changes in cortisol levels in sufferers of Addison's disease and even help wake narcoleptics.
The other half of the charity trains cancer detection dogs. The canines sniff volatiles for anomalies in a laboratory situation, which can indicate early stages of renal, bowel and prostate cancers not normally found in non-invasive tests.
This has already saved lives by early diagnosis of cancers that could have, if left until later, been untreatable.
He said: 'I have been a volunteer for Hearing Dogs for nearly 20 years and this is my second year as a volunteer for Medical Detection Dogs. I am desperate for volunteers to join me.
'These dogs are life-saving and life-changing. We have one case of a young lady with narcolepsy who would even fall asleep while walking downstairs and so needed 24-hour supervision. Now she has her medical alert dog, she's looking forward to going on to university.'
Tim will be holding a talk and video presentation of the work of the charity and the life-saving benefits of its dogs at Lifton Hall Hotel on Thursday January 26 at 7.30pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend, whether to express interest in becoming a volunteer or just to find out more about the charity.
Tim is available to give talks to WI clubs, schools, organisations, dog shows or any type of event.
For more information about the charity visit http://www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk">www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk or contact Tim on 07970 491663.