News

A giant thank you to Robin Rubenstein who, in memory of her Aunt, donated a 2012 Ford E250! This van allows us to expand our puppies detection training and socialization outside of the WDC facility on a regular basis.

Our next goal is to raise funds to convert the 237.8 cu feet of cargo space into a safe and useful puppy-mobile.  DONATE NOW!

Continue Reading »

Breed:  Labrador Retriever
DOB: December 9, 2012
Gender: Male
Breeder:  D and S Retrievers, Kutztown, PA
Legacy: Named in honor of Jake (Handler Mary Flood) who served at the World Trade Center following the attacks of 9/11

Check out the latest Penn Gazette article featuring our puppies in training!

We are excited to introduce the newest member of the class–McBaine!

Breed: Springer Spaniel
Gender: Male
Kennel: Breeze Hallow Spaniels
Foster: Lynn Carroll & JoAnn Puccella
Sponsor: St. Germain Catering & Mina Ebrahimi
Legacy: McBaine (handler Eliodora Chamberlain) – Control group 9/11 Study

The K9 After Action Report from Hurricane Sandy was recently released. This report focuses on addressing the quantity and quality of veterinary care and K9 specific hazard awareness and mitigation provided pre-, during-, and post-deployment.

This report includes responses from 30 of the 41 deploying handlers. 87% of these handlers had deployment experience and had an average tenure of 9 years.

Author: Dr. Lori Gordon is a member of the USAR Veterinary Group, a group of veterinarians who train with FEMA USAR task forces across the country and focus on the “care, safety, and treatment of Urban Search and Rescue canines during their drills, certification tests, and deployments.”  Dr. Gordon is also a member of MATF-1.

Download FULL REPORT

**NOTE: Photos may not be reproduced without express permission.

Dr. Carmen Battaglia, American Kennel Club, has compiled a fact sheet that sheds some very interesting light on the pending closing of the TSA Breeding Program @ Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. We encourage you all to write to your local representatives and express your concern and disapproval.

Download Dr. Battaglia’s letter to his Senator and the Fact Sheet.

The Daily Pennsylvanian | November 26, 2012

“A day at the Working Dog Center”

The announcement of the closing of TSA’s Canine Breeding and Development Center has caused those in the detection dog community great concern. Help us voice this by writing to your local Senator and/or Representative and convey your disapproval of the closing of TSA’s Puppy Program. To find out who your local representatives are, click HERE and enter your zip code.

COPY & PASTE:

Dear Senator (or Representative) [Name],

I am writing to request your consideration in directing the Transportation Security Administration to defer its plan to close its Canine Breeding and Development Center at Lackland Air Force Base, if not indefinitely, at least until a full study of the issues can be made and shared with the American public. Continue Reading »

Breed: German Shepherd Dog
Gender: Male
Donated by: Clifford Duetsch
Foster: The Sawicki Family
Legacy: Named in honor of Sarge (Handler Walter Sikorski) who deployed to the Staten Island Land Fill following the attacks of 9/11.

Ohlin & Volunteer Coordinator Pat

Breed: Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Kennel: Chilbrook Kennels
http://www.chilbrook.com/
Foster: Jean Findlay
Legacy: Named in honor of Ohlin (Handler AJ Frank) who deployed to the World Trade Center following the attacks of 9/11.

Inquiring minds want to know…

Penn Current interviewed Dr. Otto about the creation and operation of the recently opened Training Center and the mission and operation of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center.

Read the full article to learn more about the Center.

We were excited to share the Grand Opening and the mission of the Working Dog Center on Fresh Air with Terry Gross heard on NPR.

LISTEN NOW

On September 11th, the AKC awarded the first titles for Search and Rescue to responders from 9/11. The titles are now available to anyone who is FEMA or SUSAR Type I or Type II certified and registered with the AKC.

The ability to provide titles for these amazing and talented dogs will continue to help advance the breeding of successful and healthy detection dogs right here in the United States.

To receive your title, simply complete the application. Read the AKC’s press release to learn more about first titles awarded and the special dogs that received them.

We are looking for our first group of FOSTER FAMILIES to take care of eight puppies slated to arrive between the first week in September and mid-October. Complete the application to be considered.

The Penn Vet Working Dog Center aims to collect and analyze genetic, behavioral, training and physical data and integrate the latest scientific information to improve the success and well-being of detection dogs that are so vital to our national security.

The Center is slated to open on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 on the University of Pennsylvania’s Grey’s Ferry campus in Philadelphia.

Continue Reading »

The Center is slated to open on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 on the University of Pennsylvania’s Grey’s Ferry campus in Philadelphia.

In preparation, we are searching for puppies to enroll in our Puppy Foundation training program opening this Fall.  We are interested in puppies with a lineage of titles in hunt or success in search and detection certifications.  This survey will help identify if one of the puppies you have breed would be a good fit with this program. Continue Reading »