AKC's Detection Dog Task Force is continuing its educational efforts in our Webinar series. On July 14th please join us for the AKC Detection Dog Task Force’s upcoming July webinar featuring updates about AKC Reunite’s Adopt a K-9 Cop matching grant program and the United States Police Canine Association, Inc. (USPCA).

AKC Reunite’s Adopt a K-9 Cop Matching Grant Program matches funds (3:1) to help local AKC clubs to purchase police K-9s for local police departments throughout the United States. To date, 26 Adopt A K-9 grants have been awarded to law enforcement departments in AL, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IN, NC, OR, PA, SC, and WA, with more planned. Click here for a link to a downloadable flyer.

The USPCA is the newest organization to be associated with the AKC. USPCA is the nation’s oldest and largest police K-9 organization. 

AKC looks forward to what our organizations can accomplish together for our K-9 units and our nation’s security. 

Meet our Panelists: 

• Christopher Sweetwood – Chris is the AKC delegate for the Trap Falls Kennel Club and a member of the AKC Board of Directors. He is also Co-Chair of the AKC Detection Dog Task Force, Vice Chairman of the AKC PAC, and Ambassador for the AKC Reunite Adopt a K-9 Cop program. Chris founded the Adopt a K-9 Cop Matching Grant Program which, in conjunction with AKC Reunite, helps police departments fund the purchase of police dogs.
• Don Slavik - Don is the Executive Director of the United States Police Canine Association, Inc. He was a canine handler and trainer for the St. Paul, MN Police Canine Unit for 22 years. He has trained all facets of canine ideologies in patrol, explosives, narcotics, and tracking for canine handlers in multiple states. After retiring from St. Paul, Don worked at the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in animal psychology, olfactory capabilities, training methodologies, and behavioral patterns, using food and play rewards to achieve or shape canine behavior. He designed several courses at ATF and trained explosive detection teams for ATF Special Agents, US Federal Agencies, canine teams from several countries, and State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies. Don was also an instructor for ATF’s National Odor Recognition Test (NORT) and provided Pre-deployment classes in Yuma, Fort Bellows, Schofield Barracks, Germany, Creech, and Hawaii for USMC, USAF, USN, and Army. Don has also worked for The State Department as an SME in canine methodology monitoring training, deployment, and evaluation of canines contracted to the Department of State in Iraq. Don is a Canine Expert Witness and has testified in City, State, and Federal Courts. In the United States Police Canine Association, he is a Level III trainer, National Judge, and Past National President.

The online event will take place Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 7:30pm ET. The session will last less than an hour.  

Please click here to register:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1481059070536096013