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  • Becoming A Life Saver
  1. About Our Dogs
  2. Becoming A Lifesaver

Becoming A Life Saver


The start of the journey

Before training a lifesaving Medical Detection Dog, we must first responsibly source a puppy and find an amazing Volunteer to care for them.

We are committed to the highest level of welfare for our dogs, so care is taken to source them from a responsible breeder, a rescue centre or breed them ourselves. None of our dogs are kennelled, so at 8 weeks old, they move in with one of our wonderful volunteers to begin their training journey. Our trainers support the volunteer throughout their journey to raise a future lifesaver, right up until their puppy's training is complete and placed with a client.

Our training builds upon a dog’s natural desire to learn and explore the world, using positive reinforcement techniques to reward desired behaviours.  

Throughout this journey, their mental and physical health is always our priority and if you would like to donate items to enrich their experience, please visit our Amazon Wishlist page.  Any items purchased through our Amazon Wishlist are gratefully received. 

Our Dogs

Our Dogs

What we look for in a Medical Detection Dog and how we source them responsibly Read more

Published: 15th May, 2025

Updated: 26th January, 2026

Author: John Akehurst

Puppy Training Roadmap

Puppy Training Roadmap

An overview of what’s involved in training our life savers Read more

Published: 15th May, 2025

Updated: 25th September, 2025

Author: John Akehurst

Tashi’s Story

Tashi’s Story

One dog’s progress from pup in training to life changing best friend Read more

Published: 24th April, 2025

Updated: 26th January, 2026

Author: John Akehurst

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  • Her Majesty The Queen is shown electronic cancer detection nose

    Her Majesty The Queen is shown electronic cancer detection nose

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  • Job Vacancies

    Job Vacancies

    Working for Medical Detection Dogs is an exciting and rewarding experience. We are at the cutting edge of British innovation and collaborate with institutions and healthcare organisations around the world.

  • Volunteering with Medical Detection Dogs

    Volunteering with Medical Detection Dogs

  • Rehoming a Medical Detection Dog

    Rehoming a Medical Detection Dog

    The welfare of our dogs is of paramount importance to us; whilst they are training and working, but also when they are retired or withdrawn.  Dogs that are ending their career with Medical Detection Dogs make wonderful pets, and we take care to ensure their individual needs are met when finding them a new home. Click on the link to find out more about this rewarding opportunity.

  • Bowel Cancer

    Bowel Cancer

  • Anatomy of the Dog’s Nose

  • Our Projects

    Our Projects

    We research how trained dogs can detect diseases through volatile compounds, building a strong evidence base in collaboration with UK and international partners. While continuing our research, we're now also exploring real-world applications.

  • Dogs informing technology

    Dogs informing technology

    Electronic Nose to Detect Cancer at our Centre in UK first

  • About our Dogs - FAQ

    About our Dogs - FAQ

    Frequently asked questions about our dogs.

  • Request a Speaker

    Request a Speaker

    Would you like a Medical Detection Dogs Speaker to come to your club, organisation or group to talk about the amazing work we do?

  • Urinary Tract Infection

    Urinary Tract Infection

    A UK project is training dogs to detect UTIs by scent, offering faster, non-invasive diagnosis—especially beneficial for elderly and vulnerable patients. Backed by strong research, dogs show over 90% accuracy in identifying UTI-related bacteria. Following a successful pilot, the program will expand, aiming to support NHS efforts and improve wellbeing through community-based detection and assistance services.

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In Memory Sponsor a Puppy
Bowel Cancer Urgent Appeal

Bowel Cancer Urgent Appeal

Medical Detection Dogs has launched its first ever urgent fundraising appeal to support a pioneering project that could transform how bowel cancer is detected — using specially trained dogs. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 2nd June, 2025

Updated: 29th September, 2025

Author: John Akehurst

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    3 Millfield, Greenway Business Park
    Winslow Road, Great Horwood,
    Milton Keynes, MK17 0NP

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Medical Detection Dogs is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 1124533 and in Scotland No. SC044434

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