A black labrador named Mae has become an essential part of a cancer researcher’s life, helping her manage multiple sclerosis and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome while completing a PhD. The dog was trained by her owner with assistance from the Medical Detection Dogs charity after facing long waiting lists for professional medical alert dogs.
Training a Medical Alert Dog
The owner met Mae in 2023 when the puppy was 11 weeks old. She suffers from multiple sclerosis, postural tachycardia syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Before Mae arrived, she would fall, injure herself, and wake up alone. The dog now detects changes in her owner’s scent that signal an impending medical episode, which involves a drastic increase in heart rate that can cause fainting.
Mae alerts her owner through an intense stare. If her owner has her back turned, the dog escalates the alert by gently jumping up. She has also adapted her behavior to stare at the person holding her leash, prompting them to warn her owner. The dog receives a treat for these alerts, making the process a positive activity for her.
Completing a PhD in Cancer Research
Mae’s presence has allowed her owner to regain independence, including the ability to drive and ride horses. The dog’s support was crucial in helping her complete a PhD in cancer research this year. The degree took eight years to finish due to health-related breaks, but she managed to complete it in the three years she has had Mae, with the dog reliably alerting for two of those years.
Walking Mae helped clear her head and refocus on her research. The dog’s dedication is reflected in the PhD thesis, which was dedicated to her. Mae also helps manage mental health, having removed anxiety for both the owner and her family, who previously worried about her living alone.
After a medical episode, Mae fetches her treat pot and toys, encouraging play and relaxation. The owner describes the dog’s calm presence as magical and credits her with teaching her that slowing down does not mean missing out on life.
Source: The Guardian
