Medical Detection Dogs start training to sniff out COVID-19

The Duchess of Cornwall has been Patron of Medical Detection Dogs since 2014, and has shared a message of support as the charity announces its plans to train six special dogs to help detect COVID-19.

Medical Detection Dogs train dogs to detect diseases using their incredible sense of smell, and the charity will receive government support for their COVID-19 work.

Six 'super' dogs will soon start their basic training and learn what the virus smells like. 

The Duchess of Cornwall said:

Having been the proud Patron of Medical Detection Dogs for six years, I have every faith that these brilliant dogs will achieve remarkable results in the fight against COVID-19.

In 2018, in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen, The Duchess attended the charity’s 10th Anniversary celebration at the Royal Mews and a demonstration by the charity's bio detection dogs to showcase their ability to detect the odour of human disease.

The Duchess has previously hosted Medical Detection Dogs at a reception in St James’s Palace and she has also paid a visit to their headquarters just outside Milton Keynes.

Last year, Her Royal Highness opened a new centre the for charity.