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Written by Paul
Dr Paul Manktelow is a vet who’s worked for almost 20 years on the front line in some of the UK’s busiest veterinary hospitals. As Chief Vet in the Charity Sector, he leads a team of vets and nurses that treat thousands of pets every year. Paul also appears regularly in the media as a TV and radio presenter, writer, public speaker and podcast producer.
We all know dogs have an incredible sense of smell, but did you know they can detect changes in the human body well before we notice them ourselves? That’s the life-saving science behind medical detection dogs.
In the latest episode of The Consult Room podcast, veterinary student Jade shared how her medical alert assistance dog Jules has transformed her life with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Jules is able to sense changes in her body and give her a two-to-five-minute warning before she collapses.
But how exactly do medical detection dogs like Jules do it?
A Nose for Change
Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors in their noses (compared to about 5–6 million in humans). This extraordinary ability allows them to detect chemical changes in the body, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Medical detection dogs are trained to pick up on these subtle changes linked to medical events such as:
- Drops in blood pressure
- Changes in blood sugar levels
- Hormonal fluctuations before seizures
- Allergic reactions
Jules’ incredible nose can sense when Jade’s body begins to change ahead of a POTS-related collapse. He alerts her by nudging, giving her time to find somewhere safe.
How Are These Dogs Trained?
Medical Detection Dogs is a UK-based charity that trains assistance dogs for people with a wide range of conditions. Their training process involves:
- Identifying specific odours associated with each individual’s medical events
- Teaching the dog to recognise and alert to these odours using positive reinforcement
- Building reliability through practice in real-life environments
The dogs are trained not only to detect medical changes but also to respond appropriately – alerting their partner, retrieving medication, or even raising an alarm.
The Impact on Lives
These dogs don’t just help with safety; they restore independence. In Jade’s case, Jules has enabled her to return to veterinary school and live more confidently.
“Before Jules, I never knew when I’d collapse,” Jade explained on the podcast. “Now I have the freedom to go out and study without constantly worrying about falling.”
Assistance dogs also reduce hospital admissions, prevent injuries from falls, and provide emotional support for their owners.
Why Awareness Matters
Medical Detection Dogs and other similar organisations rely on donations and volunteers to continue their work. Raising awareness of the science behind these dogs helps more people understand their value and the difference they make.
You can learn more about the charity’s incredible work here: Medical Detection Dogs and listen to Jade’s inspiring story in full wherever you get your podcasts, or on YouTube.
