The British Society of Perfumers charity of the year 2017 is a great cause – raising funds for medical detection dogs. The BSP has committed to matching member donations raised, so please give generously to help train puppies for this very important job.
This is what the charity has to say about why dogs make such great helpers for detecting potentially life-threatening changes in odour:
Possibly 30% of their brain is dedicated to analysing odour. It is estimated that the percentage of a dog’s brain devoted to analysing odours is 40 times larger than that of a human. It can detect an odour diluted 1 – 2 parts per trillion.
The scientific basis of the ability of dogs to detect the odour of cancer is believed to be linked to volatile organic compounds produced by malignant cells. It has been established that during tumour growth changes occur in some of the cellular proteins, leading to peroxidation of the cell membrane components, which then produces volatile organic compounds that can be detected in the headspace of the cells.
There is strong indication from a number of studies that these cancer volatiles are excreted in urine or exhaled on the breath at an early stage in the disease process.
Medical Alert Assistance Dogs are trained to help people with life-threatening health conditions, giving them greater independence and above all saving their lives on a daily basis.
Our dogs are trained to assist individuals who manage complex health conditions. They are taught to identify the odour changes that are associated with life-threatening medical events. Currently the majority of our Medical Alert Assistance Dogs work with people with diabetes. However, we also provide alert dogs for those with other very dangerous health conditions including Addisonian crisis, which causes severe pain, convulsions and unconsciousness which lead to collapse and hospitalisation; and severe allergic responses. We continue to investigate other debilitating and potentially fatal conditions which our dogs may have the ability to help.
You can also volunteer at the charity – they are looking for people to help socialise puppies, arrange local fundraisers and more.
Let’s see how many puppies we can sponsor!