Blue Cross dog sniffs out new career with cancer charity

Casper, a two-year-old Springer spaniel  has begun a new life, and career, training to sniff out cancer.

Casper was handed over to The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Burford, Oxfordshire last October after his owners decided they did not have the time to cope with his lively behaviour.

Blue Cross staff at the centre worked with the energetic Casper to help him learn basic commands. There was some interest from potential new owners but none of them felt they had the time to manage Casper's energy and continue his training programme, so the charity decided Casper would be happier within a working environment.

Julie Bedford, Blue Cross head of animal behaviour said: "All dogs have different needs and The Blue Cross takes great care in matching homeless pets with the right new owners to ensure they find a permanent happy home. Casper requires a great deal of physical and mental stimulation so is more suited to be a working dog, where he can put his energy to good use."

To help Casper find a new working life The Blue Cross contacted Cancer and Bio-detection dogs, who work with the medical profession to detect cancer.

A dog’s sense of smell is estimated at being 100,000 times more powerful than a human’s and Casper is now being trained to use his natural ability to identify cancer in urine samples and pick up on low or high blood sugar levels.

The project hopes that by providing an earlier diagnosis of cancer, patients will start treatment sooner leading to a better chance of success.

Judging by Casper's busy nose and waggy tail he couldn't be happier in his active new life.