Coco "the bio-detection dog's" big Brussels adventure

12.00.00am GMT Thu 25th Feb 2010

A "bio-detection dog" from Broadstone in Dorset has travelled to Brussels with his owner (24 February) to attend European Pet Night 2010, hosted by the European Parliament.

Coco, a chocolate Labrador, is the first dog in the world to be trained to detect an on-coming crisis of Addison's Disease. This rare, chronic condition is brought about by the failure of the adrenal glands, and can easily cause a sufferer to fall into a coma.

Coco has been at the side of his owner Karen Ruddlestone for six months now and during this time, has saved Karen from countless traumatic stays in hospital and the NHS thousands of pounds.

The pair met up with their Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson at the event.

Watson said;

"Coco is a truly amazing dog, and I am delighted that we can hold events like these to recognise the service that animals provide humans.

"Coco is in effect a voluntary, 24-hour NHS worker. He helps Karen manage her condition and avoid unnecessary stays in hospital."

They were also joined by disability campaigner Wendy Morrell, also from Broadstone, whose assistance dog Caesar suddenly passed away a few weeks ago. Wendy is now raising money for Dogs for the Disabled in Caesar's name.

Graham Watson has encouraged people to support her campaign;

"As the event showed, animals can help transform peoples' lives. I urge people to donate to Wendy's campaign, and help Dogs for the Disabled train more assistance dogs like Caesar and Coco."

Readers can donate to the campaign by visiting; www.justgiving.co.uk/Caesar