About our Dogs - FAQ Frequently asked questions about our dogs. Expand Can I train my own dog to be a Medical Alert Assistance Dog? We would love to support you to train your pet dog to become a Medical Alert Assistance Dog if you meet the criteria set out here: Medical Alert Assistance Dogs What happens to the dogs when they retire? Medical Alert Assistance Dogs stay with the client or a family member in most cases; they remain as much loved family members who simply retire from active duty! Bio Detection Dogs live as part of the family with volunteers who love them, so usually, they live out their retirement with these volunteers. In rare cases, this isn’t possible, so we have a robust rehoming process to find another loving home for these life savers: Rehoming Do any dogs fail their training? Despite the best efforts of our staff and volunteers, a small number of dogs simply aren’t meant to be superheroes – some are destined to be Very Important Pets instead. This might be due to a health complaint, a sensitive personality which isn’t suited to accompanying a client to busy environments, or a less acute sense of smell, for example. If you’re interested in rehoming one of these wonderful dogs, further details can be found here: Rehoming Do your dogs live in kennels? No, we believe dogs thrive in loving homes, so we have a wonderful team of volunteers who look after our dogs as a part of their families. How long does it take to train a Medical Detection Dog? The initial training to be a Medical Alert Assistance Dog begins at 8 weeks and takes approximately 18 months, which is followed by further training once matched with a client, to learn the odour which indicates a medical episode is imminent. Bio Detection Dogs complete their initial training by approximately 12 months old, and are then trained on the specific odour they need to detect for a project they’re allocated to, such as Malaria, Cancer, E.coli etc. Can I rehome one of your dogs which is no longer working? Yes, please see our rehoming page for further information on how to apply to rehome one of our amazing dogs: Rehoming How do I apply for a Medical Alert Assistance Dog? If you’re affected by one of the conditions for which we train dogs to alert, you can apply for a dog sourced by us, or to train your own dog to be a Medical Alert Assistance Dog. Details of conditions we support, and the application process can be found here: Medical Alert Assistance Dogs Do your dog's alert strangers if they have an illness? You can rest assured that if you meet one of our dogs, and its client or handler is happy for the dog to greet you, the dog’s interest in you isn’t a sign that you’re unwell – they’re just being friendly! If one of our dogs is working in the community on a project (such as detecting UTI’s in vulnerable people at a care home) we would obtain your permission first to be checked, and the dog is trained to only “search” for their target odour when instructed by the handler. Can my dog tell if I have cancer? Accounts of dogs alerting their owners to previously undiagnosed cancer were the inspiration for the foundation of Medical Detection Dogs. Following our CEO’s experience of this with her pet dog Daisy, Claire Guest was motivated to understand how dogs could detect illness, to test their accuracy, and ultimately harness this ability to save lives: Daisy's Gift Book Our Cancer Detection Dogs are trained to detect the odour of specific cancers in samples obtained from patients, rather than a human in their presence. We are working with Medical and Technological experts to use what we have learnt from our dogs to develop accurate, early detection of cancer and other illnesses through less obtrusive means than are currently available: Cancer & Bio Detection Dogs Do your dogs enjoy working? Work = play for our puppies in training and Cancer & Bio Detection Dogs, as training and scent work are positive interactions including their favourite rewards, whether that’s affection, a tennis ball or some delicious treats: Amazon Wishlist For Medical Alert Assistance Dogs, alerting their client becomes an extension of the close bond they have, and whilst their noses are always on duty, they live happy lives with all the joys that a well-loved pet dog experiences, like games, fusses and running free in the park – with the bonus of accompanying their favourite human everywhere they go! Can I help by training a puppy? We’re always looking for volunteers who can offer a loving home for our pups and train them to become lifesavers with the support of our staff: Volunteering
Bio Detection - FAQs Expand Can my pet dog train with MDD ? We do not currently work with dogs outside of our own dedicated training programme. This means we are unable to accept pet dogs or offer external training opportunities for individual dog owners. Our Bio Detection dogs undergo a highly specialised and rigorous training process tailored to the specific needs of our scientific and operational work. This includes carefully selected dogs, professional handlers, and controlled environments to ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in scent detection. Can you train my dog to detect cancer? We’re often asked whether we can train pet dogs to detect medical conditions such as cancer or Parkinson’s. While we truly appreciate the increasing interest in this remarkable area of research, we do not offer training services for privately owned dogs. Training a dog to detect medical conditions requires not only the right temperament and aptitude but also access to ethically sourced samples, strict protocols, and ongoing validation. For these reasons, we are unable to extend this training to pet dogs or offer external schemes. Do you offer a detection/diagnostics service to the public on an individual or family basis? We do not currently offer a detection or diagnostics service for individuals or families. Our Cancer and Bio Detection Dogs are part of ongoing scientific research and development projects, working in collaboration with academic and medical institutions to explore the potential of canine scent detection in identifying diseases such as cancer. These projects are conducted under strict research protocols and are not designed to provide diagnostic services to the public. Can I donate a sample to you? The samples we use in our projects are collected by our NHS collaborators under strict ethical guidelines. Occasionally, we may invite supporters to contribute samples for specific studies which will be used for training purposes to keep the dogs noses sharp before, during and after trials. It is important to note that all samples used by Medical Detection Dogs are anonymised and we do not provide feedback on individual results of dog responses to donors. I live outside of the UK, do you have a representative anywhere near me? Whilst our main operations are based in the UK, we occasionally collaborate internationally on research projects. We do not currently have official representatives or branches overseas. If you are interested in our work or would like to explore a potential collaboration, please feel free to get in touch with us directly. Are you able to help me set up my own research project? We are always pleased to hear from others interested in canine olfaction and disease detection research. Whilst we are unable to directly support or manage external projects, we may be able to offer general guidance or share insights depending on the nature of your enquiry. Please contact us with more details about your proposed project. Are you able to help me set up my own programme? Setting up a charity is a significant undertaking, and we wish you the best in your efforts. As a young charity ourselves, we truly understand the value of those early interactions with individuals who were in support of our mission and helped us along the way. Given the many requests we receive as a Charity for advice in this area (for which we are honoured and humbled) and the small size of our team, we try to manage the allocation of resource with these type of requests to prioritise those who operate in the charitable space. Please contact us directly for more information. Am I able to set up a project using your charity name? No, our name and branding are protected and may not be used to set up independent projects. However, we are always open to exploring opportunities for collaboration with external institutions. Please visit our ‘Collaborate With Us’ page for more information. Do you offer work experience? Due to the nature of our work and the welfare of our dogs, we’re unable to offer general work experience placements. However, we occasionally have volunteering opportunities or specific roles available—please visit our Volunteering page and social media for any opportunities. What are the dogs detecting? In short, our dogs are trained to detect the odour of disease. Cancer and Bio Detection dogs identify specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with conditions like cancer, Parkinson’s, and bacterial infections, which can be found in breath, sweat and other bodily fluids. Changes in type or amounts of VOCs can signal specific health issues. Where do your dogs live? And what do they do when they're not working? We are proud of our ‘No Kennel’ policy, which means that all of our Cancer and Bio Detection dogs live in the family homes of volunteer fosterers. Dogs are dropped off at our Centre by their fosterers in the morning on their allocated project days, and collected at the end of the day, a bit like the school run! Outside of work, our dogs share the home life and routines of their volunteer families and enjoy walks, enrichment activities and even holidays! What age do the dogs retire? And what happens to them after? Our Cancer and Bio Detection dogs working life varies, depending on what project they are assigned to. Some projects may only last 6 months, and others could be multi-year projects. In some circumstances, dogs may be re-allocated to other projects if we can be certain there would be no confounders between the two diseases. Our topmost priority is that our dogs are healthy, happy and enjoying their work and they are consistently monitored to ensure their wellbeing, both physically and emotionally. Regular health checks, behavioural assessments, and close relationships with their handlers help us make sure each dog is thriving in their role. If at any point a dog shows signs that they’re no longer enjoying their work or their health needs change, we begin planning for a well-deserved retirement in a loving home. When a dog retires or is withdrawn from service, we ensure they are rehomed in a loving and supportive environment. In most cases, they stay with the volunteers or foster families who have cared for them during their working life. These families already know the dogs well and provide a smooth transition into retirement.
Sponsor a Puppy - FAQs Expand How long does puppy sponsorship last? It can take from 18 – 24 months for a puppy to complete its training and become a fully qualified Medical Alert Assistance Dog. Sometimes it can take a little less or even a bit longer, depending on the individual dog. In the final ‘pupdate’, we will introduce you to another puppy and give you the option to continue following their journey. Am I the only person sponsoring the puppy? It costs around £29,000 to train a Medical Alert Assistance Dog. This covers the first two years – from birth to accreditation. After that, it costs £1,000 per year to support the working partnership. We wouldn’t expect you to fund the total cost by yourself so by sponsoring a puppy each month it gives you and other people the opportunity to fund a puppy’s training as well as further areas of our vital work. It’s a bit like the puppy having an extended family. Will my money go to the puppy I sponsored? Your donations will help support their care and training and will also be used by Medical Detection Dogs wherever the need is greatest. Your donation will make a huge difference and is very gratefully received. We are entirely reliant on donations from the public to continue our life-changing work. Can I meet my sponsored puppy? Unfortunately, it is not possible to meet your puppy. It is very important the puppies concentrate fully on their training with minimal distractions. However, you’ll receive regular ‘pupdates’ which will give you a fantastic insight into how your puppy is growing and all the different things they are getting up to. Do all puppies complete their training? It takes a very special dog to learn all the skills required to be an assistance dog, and we hope your puppy will make it through training. Naturally, some dogs don’t meet our high standards and we withdraw them from training. We take these decisions very seriously as we must keep the welfare and safety of our clients and the dogs we train at the heart of everything we do. If your puppy is unable to complete its training, it will be rehomed with a loving family and we will write to you to let you know.
Payroll Giving FAQs Payroll Giving is a simple, tax-efficient way to support Medical Detection Dogs directly from your salary. Your donation is deducted from your gross pay before tax, which means your gift goes further—and costs you less. Expand Payroll Giving FAQs Support life-saving work with Medical Detection Dogs—straight from your salary What is Payroll Giving?Payroll Giving is a simple, tax-efficient way to support Medical Detection Dogs directly from your salary. Your donation is deducted from your gross pay before tax, which means your gift goes further—and costs you less. You can choose to give monthly or make a one-off donation, such as when you receive a bonus. It’s an easy way to make a meaningful difference—your support helps us train dogs that can detect deadly diseases and alert people to life-threatening health conditions. Is there a minimum donation amount?No—there’s no minimum donation. You can give as much or as little as you like, as often as you like. Many of our supporters choose to give £5 or £10 a month, while others prefer to make a one-off donation through their payroll when they receive a bonus. How do I stop my Payroll Giving donation?Simply contact your payroll or HR department and ask them to stop the deductions. They’ll be able to end your donation at any time. Does my Payroll Giving donation continue when I change jobs?No—Payroll Giving donations will automatically stop when you leave your job. To continue supporting Medical Detection Dogs, just ask your new employer’s HR team if they have a Payroll Giving scheme, and set it up again. Are my donations Gift Aided?No. Because Payroll Giving donations are taken before tax, there’s no need for us to claim Gift Aid - it’s already tax-efficient! How do I find out if my employer has a Payroll Giving scheme?Ask your Payroll or HR department directly- they’ll be able to tell you if your workplace has an active scheme. My employer doesn’t offer Payroll Giving - what can I do?If your employer doesn’t currently have a Payroll Giving scheme, don’t worry! There are still many ways to support Medical Detection Dogs. Get in touch with us, and we’ll help you find a way that works for you. Why should I support Medical Detection Dogs through Payroll Giving?Your regular donations help us fund our vital work—from training bio-detection dogs that support ground-breaking research into diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s and UTI’s, to training Medical Alert Assistance Dogs that can detect and alert their owners to dangerous changes in their health, such as a sudden drop in blood pressure. With your support, we can continue to develop innovative science, train more dogs, and give individuals and families the confidence and independence to live safer, fuller lives. Your monthly donation could help us save lives—one sniff at a time.
Legacy FAQs Expand How to write my will and include Medical Detection Dogs A Will is an important legal document therefore we recommend using a solicitor either in person, or over the phone, and via verified online platforms to make yours. It is important to make sure that it is done properly otherwise, it may not be valid and your wishes will not be carried out as you would want. A solicitor will be able to provide valuable advice for your personal circumstances including complex matters like inheritance tax. This can mean that, at the time of your death, your loved ones are not left with additional stress and upset trying to make sense of complex matters without your help. Once you have provided for family and friends in your Will, we hope you will consider leaving a gift for Medical Detection Dogs too. If you already have a Will it is worth reviewing it from time to time and at key moments during your life. A wedding, or birth of a baby can change how you want to distribute your estate. If there are only small changes you can use a Codicil, which is a simple legal document that changes the existing will. You can use a Codicil to include a charity like Medical Detection Dogs. As a codicil is also an important legal document we also recommend speaking to a solicitor before writing one. If you need to write your Will for the first time or need a new Will, as there are more than simple changes to make, and you are over 50, you can make your Will for free with our Free Will Writing partnership. There is no obligation to include Medical Detection Dogs but, we hope that this is something you will chose to do. We appreciate that making a Will is a very personal matter however, if you’d like to talk to us in confidence, about the type of gift you’re considering or to find out more about the Free Will Writing Scheme you’ll find our details on the inside cover of this booklet. There are three main types of gift that apply whether the gift is for a family member or friend, or a charity like ours. There is no right or wrong type of gift, and each one has practicalities to consider. Any gift you leave for charity is exempt from inheritance tax so therefore could reduce the amount of inheritance tax that would otherwise be payable on your estate. So that the charity is properly identified in your will and there is no confusion over which charity you intended to benefit, it is important that you include the charity’s full name, address, and charity registration number. Medical Detection Dogs Registered Charity No. 1124533 3 Millfield, Greenway Business Park, Great Horwood, Milton Keynes, MK17 ONP What type of gifts can I leave? A Specific Gift: this is a particular item or items, such as jewellery, furniture, artwork, stocks or a house. It is worth considering that these might be your most precious possessions of huge sentimental value, however as a charity we are obligated to convert them into funds to deliver our work so would seek to sell them. A Pecuniary Gift: this is a sum of money specified by you, and is paid first after any debts and estate expenses have been settled. It is worth considering in certain circumstances if you leave lots of pecuniary gifts, they add up and erode the value of your residuary estate. This could mean your loved ones are left with less as a residuary gift than any charities. A Residuary Gift: this is what remains of your estate after debts and estate expenses have been settled, and after any specific or pecuniary gifts. A residuary gift is specified as a percentage, either whole 100% or in part determined by you. It is worth considering that this can be the most straightforward and ‘safe’ way to distribute your estate ‘fairly’ and in line with your wishes; percentages remains static even when the total can change over time. Whatever gift you might chose to include will be greatly appreciated and put to the very best of use delivering our mission. There may be a part of our work that you are particularly interested in, and would want your gift to be used for that purpose. In those circumstances we would always encourage you to talk to us before including a gift like that to make sure it is possible for us to do. The last thing either party would want is for the gift to fail and your last wishes remain unfulfilled because of a technicality. Therefore, unless you specify otherwise, your gift to Medical Detection Dogs would be applied wherever the needs are greatest, including supporting our dogs through training, providing ongoing support for our client partnerships, research projects and deployment, purchasing equipment or helping to maintain our training centre. Hopefully, it will be many years in the future before your Will is read and the distributions made, many things can change in that time including how, where, and for whom we deliver our services. What if I want to change my existing will? Many people make a Will and assume that’s all they need to do. But circumstances change, so it’s a good idea to review it every few years to make sure it reflects your wishes and is appropriate to any changes in your circumstances. These could be: Marriage, divorce or separation Children born since your last Will Death of named beneficiaries A change in your financial circumstances. A codicil is a simple way to make specific changes or additions to your Will while leaving the remaining provisions untouched. For example, if you decide to add a gift to Medical Detection Dogs to your Will, a codicil is a simple and inexpensive way to do this. You will need to ask your solicitor to draw a codicil for you.