Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is supporting Medical Detection Dogs, Volkswagen Group UK’s (VWG) chosen charity of the year, with the all-electric ID. Buzz Cargo.
The vehicle will help trainers safely transport the dogs to and from training across the region, as well as home visits, public access training and veterinary appointments.
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.”
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 room for training equipment.
Medical Detection Dogs focuses on 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.
Medical Alert Assistance Dogs identify minute changes in the smell of their client which signal a medical crisis, and alert them so they can take necessary action.
These dogs support individuals with conditions including: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Addison’s Disease, severe allergies, Type 1 diabetes and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
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.”