Man’s best friends certainly live up to their title. They can even save our lives! With the right training, these helpful canines can detect a number of serious illnesses and alert us.
Dogs are amazing companions with incredible abilities. They are the oldest domesticated mammals. Since they have lived the longest with us, their behaviors and capabilities have adapted to help us humans. Interestingly, an organization called Medical Detection Dogs in the United Kingdom is specially training our furry friends to help detect several diseases.
The dogs use their keen sense of smell to help them pick up certain chemicals and scents in people’s breaths. Then they can warn us of certain sicknesses, including cancer, heart disease, and allergies. So far, 75 dogs are currently in action, and about 40 puppies are being trained to join them.
The dogs are also trained to warn people of diabetes. Scientists inspired by this amazing feat ran tests on diabetics to find out how the dogs detect the sickness. They discovered that if a person gets hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), their body emits a chemical compound known as isoprene. The hounds pick up its scent and warn us to take the necessary measures. Using these findings, the researchers are now looking to make a breath test for blood sugar levels.
Now people with diabetes can feel at ease knowing that they don’t have to check their blood sugar as often! These awesome canines will guard you day and night. Dogs have serviced us once more!