At The Insurance Emporium, for several years now, we have provided the pioneering Medical Detection Dogs charity’s insurance cover for their amazing sniffer dogs. These dogs are trained up to detect cancers and other diseases, while also working as Assistance dogs supporting people with life-threatening health conditions such as diabetes, alerting them to potential health issues before signs are even obvious to humans
Medical Detection Dogs’ Sniffer Dogs And Detecting COVID-19
Experts at Medical Detection Dogs believe their dogs can be trained to detect COVID-19 and other coronavirus symptoms in people, in as little as six to eight weeks. They are working with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Durham University right now to try to achieve this amazing goal.
Our Catch Up With Medical Detection Dogs
When we heard about Medical Detection Dogs’ work in detecting COVID-19, like many friends during lockdown, we were keen to learn more about this amazing work, so we got in touch with them. We asked them about their plan of action and timescales for this research work, especially given the current lockdown. Hopefully we asked the questions you all were wondering about as well!
“What is your COVID-19 detection work plan of action?”
‘We have a number of intensively pre-trained detector dogs that could be made ready in 6- 8 weeks. Together with our partners LSHTM and Durham University, we have started preparations to intensively train dogs so they could be ready to help provide a rapid, non-invasive diagnosis towards the tail end of the epidemic. We have approached government about how dogs can play a role in the fight against the disease. The initial phase will see 6 Bio Detection Dogs undergo intensive training.’
“How Are COVID-19 Detector Dogs Selected?”
‘Those dogs that will be assessed to take part in this project will show characteristics that we know make great Bio Detection Dogs, such as a desire to use their nose, willingness to learn, eagerness to please and a need to be kept busy.’
“What Does A Medical Detection Dog’s Everyday Life Look Like?”
‘We have a strict no kennel policy and all our dogs live with socialisers and fosterers in loving, family homes. We always say it is a bit like the school run at MDD – the dogs get dropped off in the morning and picked up later on in the day. During the day they do a few short shifts in the training room and in between that they can be found playing or lounging with other dogs, being walked by our volunteer dog walkers or running around the paddock with their trainers. A lot of our dogs live in and around the Buckinghamshire area for obvious reasons – MDD is based in Great Horwood, Milton Keynes – but we do have some slightly further afield. We are always looking for more fosterers, socialisers and for holiday cover. For details of how to volunteer, please see our website at https://www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk/volunteer/. Donations to support the work of Medical Detection Dogs can also be made via our website by following this link: https://www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk/giving/’
Our Chief Executive, Francis Martin, said this about Medical Detection Dogs and their COVID-19 Work:
‘We are proud to be dog insurance providers for the Medical Detection Dogs charity. Over the years we have seen how their incredible dogs have saved lives through bio-medical detection as well as enabling people with life-threatening conditions to live more normal lives through their Assistance Dog work. Of course, we know this charity is already amazing in terms of the work they do, but the potential to detect COVID-19 symptoms gives this charity’s work a whole new dimension and this truly touches our hearts.’
Our furry friends over at Medical Detection Dogs are doing an amazing job helping to sniff out COVID-19! We’re proud to support such an incredible charity, especially in these uncertain times. We’re also doing everything we can to support our policyholders. If you have any questions regarding your policy, don’t hesitate to call our Customer Contact team on 03300 244 005.
All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. We will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. We will not be liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the display or use of this information. This policy is subject to change at any time. Please note that the dogs in the images are not Medical Detection Dogs and these are generic dog images
