DogCast Radio
Home Episodes Articles Blog Breed profiles Book reviews Photos Contact

Springer pups join the Cancer & Bio-detection Dogs team

A bright future is predicted for dog stars as Springer pups join the Cancer &  Bio-detection Dogs team
Two working Springer Spaniels with star quality have been donated to the charity Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs where they’ll shine as pioneers sniffing out human disease.
The dynamic pups have been gifted to the charity by Working Springer Spaniel breeder, Enid Lake from the Isle of Skye and presented to the Charity by international broadcaster and writer on astronomy, space and science, Heather Couper. The pups have been appropriately named Rigel (after one of the brightest stars in the sky) and Sirius (the Dog Star), and the sky’s the limit for what these dogs can achieve.
Heather trained as a scientist and has spent the past 20 years working entirely in the media. She has hosted two major TV series on Channel 4 and appeared on a variety of TV and radio programmes, including the long-running Seeing Stars on BBC World Service.
Heather lives close to the charity’s headquarters in Buckinghamshire and has always been very supportive of its work training dogs to detect cancer in humans and assisting diabetic owners by warning them of changes in their blood sugar levels.
Working Springer Spaniels are incredibly hard-working and intelligent dogs and, while their job with Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs will be quite different to the traditional role of ‘springing’ game birds, Rigel and Sirius are expected to thrive in their new positions.
You can help Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs train even more dogs to sniff out cancer, diabetes and other diseases by taking part in the charity’s new fundraising initiative launched at Crufts – Sniff for Life.
Something as simple as a sniff from a dog can save a life and Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs believes that simple fundraising events such as coffee mornings, dress down days and sponsored dog walks can raise thousands of pounds for these life-saving hounds.
Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs has big plans for helping people with different diseases but it needs the funds to train more of these highly specialist dogs.
You can also help raise funds for the charity by joining its Sponsor a Puppy scheme. For just £3.50 per month or £40 per year you can help support one of the puppies or young dogs currently going through the Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs training programme.
As a sponsor you’ll receive a certificate, photos and quarterly updates on your chosen dog’s progress. You could also be invited to meet them at the Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs training centre when they have completed their training.
Find out more about how you can get involved with Sniff for Life or details on the Sponsor a Puppy scheme by visiting the website at www.cancerdogs.co.uk.

Sharing

280 - pet bereavement leave and the dog sniffing for an escaped capybara

Erika Sinner shares why pet bereavement leave is so important - on a business and a personal level. Rachel Rodgers talks about her and her dog Rico helping to sniff out missing capybara, Cinnamon.

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.