Tag Archives: working dogs

US Police Canine Association Partners with AKC

BigStock Photo
BigStock Photo

From The Dog Lady’s mailbag: The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce that the U.S. Police Canine Association is the newest organization associated with the AKC. The United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) is the largest and oldest police dog certification organization in the United States.

“AKC is honored to collaborate with the USPCA,’’ said AKC President and CEO Dennis B. Sprung. “They protect our citizens, strive to educate the public on many important dog-related topics, and are an integral part of communities. We are very proud to be affiliated with them as the nation’s oldest and largest Police K-9 organization.’ Continue reading US Police Canine Association Partners with AKC

COVID-19 Detector

Photo:  Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
Photo: Doctors Hospital of Sarasota

A new four-legged, wet-nosed addition greets people at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota. “Buffy” is a 2-year-old, sweet-tempered, yellow Labrador retriever and a highly trained scent detection dog from Southeastern Guide Dogs. Buffy meets visitors as they enter the hospital and if she detects COVID-19, the visitor is asked to get additional testing. Testing can be done free of charge at the hospital or if visitors prefer, another location.

Trainers at Southeastern Guide Dogs placed “Buffy” in a scent detection study nine months ago. Using deactivated samples from COVID-19 patients at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Buffy was trained to detect changes in a person’s immune system. Labrador retrievers have an estimated 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to about six million in humans. The dogs can detect our body fighting the virus. During training, the dogs are approximately 95% effective at detecting COVID-19 in a person. If Buffy detects COVID-19 she simply lays down at the visitor’s feet and waits for a treat.

Visitors entering the hospital will still be screened by a hospital caregiver, have their temperature taken and be required to wear a mask. Buffy is being used as an extra resource, although a very furry one, to help keep the community safe. Hospital CEO, Robert Meade, adopted Buffy and she lives with the Meade family when she is not at the hospital.

Thanks for helping, Buffy!

#MaskUp #BackUp

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!

Do You Know a Hero Dog?

2020 Uniformed Service K-9 Awardee, Stella.  Photo:  AKC Humane Fund
2020 Uniformed Service K-9 Awardee, Stella. Photo: AKC Humane Fund

From The Dog Lady’s mailbag: To celebrate the dogs who do extraordinary things in the service of humankind, the AKC Humane Fund is seeking YOUR nominations for its AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). Nominations are open now through July 31st and winners will be announced in late 2021. The 2021 Awards for Canine Excellence will be covered on AKC.tv.

Each year, the AKC Humane Fund honors five dedicated, hardworking dogs for making significant contributions to an individual or entire community. Since its creation in 2000, 105 ACE awards have been presented. Former ACE recipients have included a Flat-Coated Retriever that excels at dock diving despite missing a paw and a family pet who fought for his life protecting a seven-year-old from a rattlesnake, among dozens of other remarkable dogs.

“There are countless dogs that touch the hearts of people every day,” said Doug Ljungren, President of the AKC Humane Fund. “These incredible canines impact the lives of individuals and communities across the nation and so many deserve to be recognized with these awards. We are proud to honor five of these canine heroes each year with an ACE Award in recognition of their contributions.” Continue reading Do You Know a Hero Dog?

COVID19 Sniffer Dogs

Although the virus reportedly makes you lose your sense of smell, it apparently gives you a particular odor dogs can sniff out.

The airport in Helsinki, Finland, is testing passengers for Covid-19 by using trained dogs to sniff out the virus. NBC’s Kelly Cobiella joins Shep Smith on CNBC to discuss what could be a new way to detect for Covid-19.

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!

Let’s Hear It For K-9 Lalo!

You gotta love a story with a happy ending. WBTW, Channel 13 in Myrtle Beach, recently brought us the story of Lalo, a Bloodhound who was instrumental in reuniting a family when the K-9 found a 9-year old who had wandered off to a friend’s house without telling anyone.

Lalo’s partner, Deputy Timothy Davidson, says the dog gets quite the workout as they have similar situations crop up almost weekly.

Great job Lalo and Deputy Davidson! Thank you both for your service.

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!