CADA Conference 2007

October 10-13

CADA ( Canine Accelerant Detection Association) is a highly respected accelerant dog organization in the USA. So much so that the ATF is considering joining together as the ATF has very similar tests derived from CADA. The conference this year was held at Auburn University's Canine Detection Training Center, at the old Fort McClellan in Alabama.

As a member of CADA off and on for 10 years, I finally took the opportunity to bring "Smoke" to the Conference and Proficiency test.

The first morning we met everyone, 16 handlers and their dogs, all there for the same reason. The guest speakers in the morning sessions were excellent and very interesting. Afternoons were work sessions and the final 2 days were testing.

We started preparing for the testing with different scenario's. Two houses with burned odour and no odour's in different areas. Scattered clothing with minute amounts of weathered fuel. Area search on rubble strewn in an area. The biggest test of all for Smoke was working inside and outside of cars. Although Smoke had never worked on cars, it didn't take him long to work out the gas tank, which was empty, with very little, if any vapour in it, and find the burn material.

On testing day there was areas set up for Basic Scent discrimination, Mixed matrix scent discrimination, and practical skill test.

Smoke passed all phases with flying colours.

Great group of people, and we enjoyed ourselves. Looking forward to next year.

 

Canine Detection Training Center	Final Certificates	Checking Cars
Hidden odours	Rubble pile	Found It.