
Karen Ruddlesden will be taking part in the Olympic torch relay this summer, accompanied by her Medical Alert Dog, Coco. Karen is delighted to be passing on the Olympic flame and Coco will be right by her side.
Karen suffers from serious condition known as Addison’s disease that causes the adrenal glands to malfunction and not produce enough of the steroid hormone known as cortisol. Karen’s condition was exacerbated due to tumours being found on her adrenal glands that had to be surgically removed. This has meant that Karen has no cortisol reserve in her body at all. The symptoms are unpleasant enough but, if the cortisol levels become dangerously low, the patient’s condition becomes critical and can lead to death, if not treated quickly.
Medical Detection Dogs have trained Chocolate Labrador Coco to detect a problem before it becomes a life threatening crisis and he accompanies Karen at all times.
Karen is nervous but thrilled to be taking part in the relay, “It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to be able to do this but I’m also excited for the charity as well.” The big day for Karen is 13th July, in Poole, Dorset.
Karen has also acted in an advisory capacity for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) on accommodating assistance dogs visiting the games.
For further information regarding assistance dogs and the London Olympic Games 2012 please see: www.assistancedogs.org.uk/olympics-2012
Mr. Kipling Chief Eating Officer
***IMPORTANT NOTICE ***
We have been advised of a potential problem with the D-rings on the 72 Bark Place collars and leads which have been sold on the Medical Detection Dogs stand at Crufts and through Tubby Challenge. As the safety of all dogs is our absolute priority may we advise you to stop using these collars and leads.
All collars were sold in good faith and 72 Bark Place are happy to replace them including ones where the purchaser may just be concerned. Please see www.72barkplace.com or email Laurie Allen at mybarkplace@aol.com
My name is Mr. Kipling, the CEO (Chief Eating Officer) and spokesdog at Tubby Challenge and I will be reporting on my Portion Control efforts and other matters of interest to all you Plump Lump humans (Tubbies).
Tubby Challenge is a series of fun weight loss competitions designed to help the humans stay fit and raise funds for Medical Detection Dogs. It was started by two human friends in April 2011 and has been, pardon the pun, expanding ever since.
Find out more by visiting www.tubbychallenge.org
We urgently need short and long term puppy/dog fosterers in the Shefford/ Biggleswade area of Bedfordshire.
Please call 01296 655888 or email: pam.jones@medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk
Rebecca Reddish will be taking part in the Blenheim Triathlon on 9th June 2012 raising funds for Medical Detection Dogs. To support Rebecca please visit www.justgiving.com/rebecca-reddish

Featuring talented local artists with a range of musical Influences Hosted By Box Delux Records. In aid of Medical Detection Dogs. TEA, COFFEE & HOMEMADE CAKES, EVERYONE WELCOME!
Saturday 12th May at Swaffham Assembly Rooms 1 - 3 pm
Kindly Sponsored by Green Dog
Festive Forest Walks Co-ordinator/s
Following a successful Festive Forest Walk held on behalf of Medical Detection Dogs in North Wales last December. We would like to expand and make this a yearly event. To do this we would like to recruit co-ordinators to help support and organise this.
Whilst our aim is to make these walks national at present we would need to look at forest/wood venues near to regional groups and/or volunteers who would be willing to help (in conjunction with Volunteer Co-ordinator)
Walks would take place early December and walkers will be requested to make a suggested donation to the charity to take part as well as encouraged to wear Christmas fancy dress (hats or antlers etc)
If you would like further information or to organise a Festive Forest Walk please contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator Pam
Email pam.jones@medicaldetctiondogs.org.uk Telephone 01296 655888



Knitting dog coats and baby clothes for charity. K9nitting 4 charity will give all profits go to Medical Detection Dogs and Boxer Welfare Scotland. They will also knit to order.
Please visit www.facebook.com/knitting4dogs

The 7th annual ‘Canter for a Cure™’
Sponsored Ride run by Equetech® clothing
Sunday 1st July 2012 at Milton Keynes Eventing Centre, Buckinghamshire
Prizes for most sponsorship raised and best costumes!
We have gone all patriotic for this years event. Make sure you dress in Red, White & Blue!
Contact us on 01296 688 966 or visit our www.equetech.com for an application form.
Join in the fun and help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support & Medical Detection Dogs. On the 20th May 2012 Bark Britain are planning a sponsored dog walk to take place in each county across the UK. They want to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and Medical Detection Dogs, and hopefully make this a record breaking event! Are they mad? Yes…Barking Mad!
You can choose to take part in a 10 mile or 3 mile walk. If you don’t have a dog, don’t worry, everyone is welcome to join in. Entry forms will be available soon.
They are currently looking for team leaders in every county to help organise the walks in their area. If you are interested in helping, please contact us via email – barkbritain@gmail.com
Please visit barkbritain.wordpress.com
What type of design are Medical Detection Dogs looking for?
We really are open to ideas, you can base your christmas design on the theme of ‘dogs but it is up to you. You can use paints, photography, a computer or even a collage, again its your choice. Your artwork should be no larger than A4 and no smaller than A5.
How many winners will there be?
We will be choosing one winning image from two age groups, 11 to 18 & 19 and up.
Winners will have their designs made into a 2012 Christmas card which will be sold in twin packs around the country. Both competition winners will receive a pack of their cards, a Medical Detection Dogs goody bag, thank you letter and certificate. The closing date for the competition is 30th May 2012.

Over the last few years Mags has been doing an absolutely amazing job making fabulous dog beds out of old duvets.
Thank you to everyone that has donated duvets, duvets covers, curtains, helped sell them, those that have bought them and of course a HUGE thanks to Mags for all her many hours of sewing, hard work and support.
I'm sure there are many very happy sleeping dogs across the country!
The other day I paid my first visit to the training centre – I had heard about this work at the Chiswick Dog Show and was thrilled to be invited to meet everyone and watch some training. It is very clear from the moment you walk in, that the people and the dogs here are extremely special. The humans are warm, welcoming and working very hard – there is a real atmosphere of commitment and enthusiasm about what is going on. And I have never seen such an amazing group of dogs – the ones waiting to get to work were champing at the bit !! They clearly LOVE their job, and they are just fabulous ! And then there are a couple of puppies waiting to start training who are just very naughty and hilarious !! Can’t wait to get involved with this in any way I can – it truly deserves our support !
Lesley Nicol
For more information about Lesley visit www.lesleynicol.co.uk
In memory of Daniel Ubbi, who would of been 23 on the 15th January 2012, his community, family and friends are committing to raising £10,000 for a Medical Detection Dog, in his name.
Find out more and support Dogs for Dan by visiting www.justgiving.com/dogfordan

Throughout the year the charity has stands at number of events. We are looking for people who would be happy to make craft items for us to sell and raise valuable funds.
Bandanas, christmas gifts, knitted items such as scarves, jewellery,hand painted flower pots.candles, bath bombs, lavender bags, toy sacks, dog beds, greeting cards, book marks bags, infact anything you enjoy making...
For further information please contact claire.akehurst@medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk
Ceva Animal Health is proud to announce that Medical Detection Dogs(MDD) will be its charity of the year for 2012. Over the course of the coming year, Ceva and its staff will be working to support the charity, which trains dogs to help people with life threatening health conditions.
Ceva will support the charity in a number of ways; the company is already supplying MDD with their Adaptiltm product range, which consists of a collar, diffuser and spray containing a synthetic copy of the dog appeasing pheromone proven to help puppies develop into balanced and well-trained adult dogs. A number of charity fundraising initiatives will also take place throughout the year including the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, the promotion of Adaptil merchandise of which proceeds will be going directly to MDD, and a number of Ceva events where MDD will be present to help raise the charities profile.
“Medical Detection Dogs is a charity that is close to our hearts and personally I have been so impressed with its work and goals for the future that I have even adopted one of its Yellow Labrador puppies, Archie, who has his own blog on www.secrettohappypets.com , until he is old enough for his detection training,” comments Lucy Brett, veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health UK. “We at Ceva are all looking forward to raising funds for Medical Detection Dogs throughout 2012.”

dog & bone stock a wide range of items that help to make a difference to dogs in learning and play and have started by donating ten puppy packs for the next batch of future medical detection dogs. Each puppy will receive a squeaky tennis ball to help with both training and play, a KONG chew toy to aid teething and train correct chewing habits, a Zoom Groom brush to keep them looking their best and teach them to enjoy being handled and a fun KONG frisbee, too!
We caught up with dog & bone to thank them and find out what it was that made them think about kindly supporting us. "We were first made aware of Medical Detection Dogs when one of our Directors, canine behaviour specialist Jez Rose attended an open day at the charity's office", says Davina from dog & bone. "We were so impressed with the quality of their training and the inspiring work training dogs to literally save lives sometimes several times on a daily basis that we wanted to help to secure the invaluable work of the charity's future".
In addition to providing us with puppy packs, dog & bone will also be providing our dogs that successfully pass their training with some toys to go into their new home with so their new owners can begin bonding with their dog by having plenty of fun. dog & bone have an official Medical Detection Dogs collection tin which will be with them at all of the exhibitions and seminars they attend, have an online link to our donation page on their website and have kindly agreed to donate a lump sum to use at the end of the year, too.
What do you get the person who has everything?
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Order Online at wicklessburners.scentsy.co.uk and click the BUY tab.
Join the Medical Detection Dogs Fundraiser and 20% of the sales will go directly to Medical Detection Dogs
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Support Medical Detection Dogs by texting a donation. Simply send SNIF11 £3 to 70070 to make a £3 donation
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