In addition, two more of our rescues, a young Belgian Mallanois "Kito" and a 3 yr old German Shepherd Dog "Kruz", were off to Texas early in the fall of 2006 to attend a police dog training academy. Both of which saw success in the spring of 2007 achieving certifications, as dual purpose patrol k-9 and Narcotics detection dogs. K-9 officers "Kruz" and "Kito" and and their handler, K-9 officer "Kyla Mykytiw ", Canadian Director of the "K-9 Strike Unit" and GAP (Gifted Animal Placement) Diagnostician, all certified for patrol and narcotics detection with "Detection K-9 of America", The DFW Parker County K-9 " Strike Unit". They went on to achieve their national certification through the NNDDA , "National Narcotics Dog Association" , as required of all K-9 law enforcement officers serving the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex K-9 Alliance. The dogs have now joined the, anti-terrorism effort, as well are working to keep our schools both drug and weapons free. The dogs were successfully re-certified w/ the National Narcotics Detection Association for 2008. Further, they have provided much inspiration towards a launch of a Canada wide "Gifted Animal Placement Program"
( GAP) in conjunction with the "GAP U.S.A. and "Law Dog International".
GAP INFORMATION The Gifted Animal Placement program or "GAP", teaches animal shelter personnel and others who work with dogs, how to identify special service uses. Currently, the United States Customs Service and other trainers must visit numerous shelters to test dogs for the unique qualities needed for their programs. However, since most pet owners do NOT admire these qualities, these very special dogs are not usually placed in adoption programs but are routinely put to death. They are usually labeled as “problem” animals because they are very, driven, energetic, drive focused, individuals. Due to high turnover of shelter dogs, "GAP" Diagnostians are not able to visit all shelters on a regular enough basis. This is just not feasible. When GAP certified diagnosticians work in a shelter or visit every few days, they can identify many of these special dogs and notify the appropriate trainers.
A few of the thing "GAP" service dogs are doing:
Bomb detection, drug detection, search and rescue, handicap assistance, seizure alert, hearing ear, vegetable sniffing, cancer sniffing, accelerant detection, and many, many more!
Plus, many trainers are looking for dogs that excel at sports like flyball and agility
To book a Class or for more information on the GAP Program Contact GAP CANADA today, Lives depend on it!
History tells us that, almost since the beginning of time, humans and dogs have
had a unique relationship. Many of the ancestors of the modern companion dog
were working dogs, and some still retain that distinction. There has been an increase in the number of dogs that are used to assist people; for example, those suffering from disabling and incapacitating illnesses.
While most of the dogs that are bred today become pets, or companion animals,
working dogs still exist and too often wind up in pet homes unsuited to thier very nature and sooner or later end up on death row.
There may be another option . Whether it be for service as
assistance dogs or for herding livestock,
sniffing out illegal substances, searching,
guarding or protecting. In today’s society,
there is a greater concern than ever before
about the humane treatment and welfare of
dogs kept for any purpose. Humane
treatment is dependent on the compassion,
under-standing, skills, training, and integrity
of the dog owner, the dog breeder or the
individual involved in any aspect of the care
and use of dogs. Society as a whole needs to become better educated to provide for this.
