- Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles loans all-electric ID. Buzz Cargo to Medical Detection Dogs charity
- The vehicle will support the charity’s operational side of training, to safely transport dogs to and from training, making it easier to carry out its important work
- Medical Detection Dogs trains Bio-Detection Dogs and Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to detect the odour of human disease and alert individuals to an impending medical crisis
Milton Keynes, 14 October, 2024 – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is supporting Medical Detection Dogs, Volkswagen Group UK’s (VWG) chosen charity of the year, with the delivery of an all-electric ID. Buzz Cargo.
The ID. Buzz Cargo will be used to support the charity’s important work, helping trainers to safely transport the dogs to and from training across the region, as well as home visits, public access training and veterinary appointments.
As Medical Detection Dogs’ first all-electric vehicle, the ID. Buzz Cargo, with a 3.9m3 payload volume, has been converted with two specially-fitted crates to ensure the dogs remain safely secured at all times, while providing ample room for the charity’s training equipment.
Based in Milton Keynes, Medical Detection Dogs is at the forefront of research into dogs’ ability to detect the odour of human diseases.
This includes the training of Bio-Detection Dogs, capable of detecting tiny traces of the odour created by different diseases, such as cancers, Parkinson’s and bacterial infections.
The charity also trains Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to identify minute changes in the smell of their client which signal that a medical crisis is about to happen, and alert them so they can take the necessary action and avoid injury and hospitalisation.
These dogs are currently supporting individuals with conditions including: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), Addison’s Disease, severe allergies, Type 1 diabetes and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Medical Detection Dogs’ pioneering research using the power of a dog’s nose seeks to develop faster, more effective ways to detect diseases than is currently possible and enable early, fast and accurate diagnosis. The training of Medical Alert Assistance Dogs has already supported over 200 individuals and their families or carers to better manage their conditions, providing greater confidence and independence, allowing them to lead a full and happy life.
Charlotte Richardson, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Medical Detection Dogs, said: “Finding suitable support vehicles for our trainers to safely and comfortably transport our life-saving dogs can be a challenge, and the space and safety features provided by the ID. Buzz Cargo will make the operational side of our training much easier. This will also be our first all-electric vehicle, supporting our trainers to carry out their important work, so the excellent range makes the transition to electric easy.”
Eve Tyers, Head of Marketing, PR and Communications at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting Medical Detection Dogs, and the delivery of an ID. Buzz Cargo as a support vehicle will help continue the charity’s life-saving training work and the Volkswagen Group’s long-running support of local charities.”
More information about Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ full range of models can be found here: https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.