Housebuilder's funding will provide lifesaving training for new puppy in Milton Keynes

Funding provided by a national housebuilder to a specialist dog charity will enable lifesaving training to be given to a new puppy in Milton Keynes. 

Housing firm Miller Homes partnered with Medical Detection Dogs last year to raise money for the charity through a varied programme of corporate activity and engagements, raising almost £30,000 in the process. 

The charity has now announced that, with £29,000 required to train a puppy through to completion of the detailed course, as a tribute to the developer it has named its newest puppy ‘Miller’. 

Medical Detection Dogs is a charity responsible for the training of dogs to be able to detect odours linked to human disease, to develop less invasive and more efficient ways of diagnosing patients, leading to better outcomes. 

Miller the puppy will now embark on a training programme which will see the dog ultimately become a medical alert assistance dog, utilising lifesaving skills learned through his nose to detect health conditions including Type 1 diabetes or Addison’s disease. 

Clare Prysbet, head of fundraising at Medical Detection Dogs, said: “We were delighted to partner with Miller Homes last year and felt it was really appropriate to thank them by naming our newest puppy – Miller – after the company who had ultimately fundraised for the training of one puppy to complete our training programme. 

“Miller is currently going through basic cue learning but will soon progress through toward public engagements. At around 18 months to two years, once all his assessments have been passed, Miller will be matched with a partner to begin his scent training. 

“Thanks to Miller’s nose – and Miller Homes – one more person will be able to live with confidence and independence around underlying medical issues, knowing they will be alerted should anything change in their circumstances and potentially have their life saved by this wonderful dog.” 

Northamptonshire-based Miller Homes South Midlands is currently building new homes in locations including Houghton Conquest, Arlesey, and Woolmer Green. 

Gavin Jones, managing director of Miller Homes South Midlands, said: “We feel very proud to have played a small part in helping to train another dog towards lifesaving skills with Medical Detection Dogs. 

“To know they’ve named their new puppy Miller, as a thanks to our fundraising efforts, is a really nice gesture and one the whole team has been touched by. 

“We look forward to following Miller’s journey and see them progress through their training towards being partnered with someone who will benefit from their fantastic skillset.” 

For more information on Medical Detection Dogs, please visit https://www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk/.