A medical dog charity is "badly in need" of volunteers in the Bicester area. 

The charity Medical Detection Dogs (MDD) needs more volunteer puppy socialisers to welcome one of its puppies into their lives and start them on their lifesaving journey.

Socialising involves caring for and training a puppy or a young dog with support and guidance from the charity, using reward-based techniques.

It’s a full-time commitment, and is described as being ideal for those who don't work, work part time or have flexible hours, helping to shape the puppy into a lifesaving adult as either a medical alert assistance dog or a bio detection dog.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire man dies after four-car crash near Abingdon

Volunteer puppy socialisers care for the puppies, take them to regular classes near Milton Keynes and ensure they learn key skills and behaviours, including how to be confident and well behaved on public transport, in supermarkets, and anywhere else they may need to go when working.

Oxford Mail:

Food and vet bills are covered by the charity. 

Volunteer manager of six years, Claire Baker, said: "Ultimately, the dog is going on to save a life.

"The dogs are incredible, they do absolutely amazing work, and we work very closely with other assistant dog charities."

Ms Baker explained how crucial the dogs are in helping people.

She said: "Another human being can help somebody with a sight or hearing impairment, but the conditions of the humans our dogs help are literally life threatening, appalling conditions and are ones that the best doctors or their loved ones can't help them with.

"The only thing that helps them is our dogs.

"Without our dogs these people are being hospitalised regular basis, but with our dogs these people are hospitalised very little, which we are very proud of.

READ MORE: Firefighters rescue a person from lake in Faringdon

"For example, postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTs) frequently affects young women, and these are people who will become unconscious with no warning whatsoever.

"For the people who have come to the top of our waiting list, this is happening 10-20 times a day and they therefore become completely housebound.

"The dogs will give them back confidence."

Oxford Mail:

The waiting list to have one of these dogs is currently four years, which is why the charity are appealing for more volunteers.

Ms Baker said: "We are badly in need of people to give a happy home to our puppies."

Ms Baker welcomed anyone thinking of volunteering to come and have a look around their centre based on Greenway Business Park on the outskirts of Milton Keynes to find out more information.

To find out more information about the charity or becoming a volunteer visit their website.

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber you will get:      

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website   
  • Advert-light access       
  • Reader rewards       
  • Full access to our app

Subscriptions from Oxford Mail Subscribe to the Oxford Mail