Join the American Kennel Club at the fourth AKC National Detection Dog Conference

August 23 – 25, 2022

Sheraton Imperial Conference Center, Durham, NC

The AKC Detection Dog Task Force (DDTF) is excited to announce the AKC National Detection Dog Conference is returning to Durham, NC, on August 23 – 25, 2022.  We are pleased to invite you to attend!    

This year’s theme is bringing together stakeholders to improve availability of high-quality, American-bred, -raised, and -trained dogs to protect our national and public security. 

The conference focuses on presenting practical information for key stakeholders, including breeders, puppy-raisers, trainers, and buyers — and providing real, actionable resources that improve participants’ opportunities to work together for a successful future. 

Please join us at the 2022 conference to learn the latest directly from top experts in the field.  

Registration Fee: $150 per person

Includes conference sessions plus welcome dinner on Tuesday evening and lunch on Wednesday

Registration will be accepted on a “first come, first serve” basis. Seating is limited.  The registration fee is non-refundable but it may be transferred to another person with prior notice.  Registration closes on July 31, 2022, or when attendee limit is reached, whichever comes first.

Attendees are responsible for accommodations and transportation. A block of rooms at the Conference hotel is available for attendees to reserve. The special discounted group room rate for attendees is $151 per night plus taxes, single or double occupancy. Once you have completed your registration for the conference you will receive a link for the discounted hotel rate.  For those eligible for government hotel rate, please advise us in the comment field in the registration form. There is a separate hotel link to reserve at the government rate.  

*Click Here to Register for the Conference* 

Conference Schedule: 

Tuesday, August 23 - 

Registration/Welcome Reception – (5:45 – 6:30pm)

WELCOME DINNER & OPENING REMARKS – (6:30 – 8:00pm)

• Dr. Carmen Battaglia, AKC Board Member, Detection Dog Task Force Co-Chairman

Wednesday August 24 – Conference Programming and breeder/buyer meet-up event - Luncheon for all attendees included - (8:30 am - 5:15pm) 

Thursday August 25 – Conference Programming - (8:15 am - 1:00pm)

Program Details:

• FINANCING A K-9 COP: AKC REUNITE’S ADOPT A K-9 COP PROGRAM & PRACTICAL ADVICE FROM USPCA
  • Christopher Sweetwood, AKC Board Member, Detection Dog Task Force Co-Chairman
  • Don Slavik, Executive Director, United States Police Canine Association, Inc. (USPCA)
• PANEL DISCUSSION: PROCUREMENT OF DETECTION DOGS: WHAT DO AGENCIES LOOK FOR?
  • Brandon Peters, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Training Instructor, Canine Training Center
  • Other federal and local agencies
• PANEL DISCUSSION: INDUSTRY OUTLOOK 
  • Kevin Beck, Executive Vice President, Global K9 Protection Group
  • Lane Kjellsen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, K2 Solutions, Inc.
  • Nicholas King, President, Director of Operations and Founder, Von Der King Kennels and Training (VDK) 
  • Heather Henderson Leigh, Vice President, Arete Canine 
• AKC & BREEDING DATA - WHAT AN ANALYSIS OF TOP RETRIEVER PEDIGREES REVEALS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF DETECTION DOGS
  • Stacey West, Program Manager, AKC Patriotic Puppy Program
• GENETICS – UPDATES IN GENETIC/GENOMIC RESEARCH IMPACTING DETECTION DOGS
  • Claire Wiley, VDM, DAC, Clinician Investigator and board-certified small animal internist, North Carolina State University College of Medicine and scientific consultant for the American Kennel Club (AKC) DNA Program
• PANEL DISCUSSION: PUPPY RAISING DISCUSSION – PUPPY TO WORKING DOG
  • Manda Vanhorne, Chief Trainer, K2 Solutions, Inc.
  • Bart Rogers, Chief Canine Instructor, Auburn University Canine Performance Sciences Department
  • Tim Baird, Director of Operations MK9 Solutions
  • Annemarie DeAngelo, Training Director, Penn Vet Working Dog Center
• TALES FROM THE TRENCHES: FROM AKC SPORTS TO WORKING DOG PROFESSIONAL
  • Susan Stejskal, LVT, PhD, will share her experience in bridging the gap from a start in AKC events to her current work as a K-9 handler, trainer and judge. 
• PANEL DISCUSSION: IF YOUR DOG ISN’T CUT OUT FOR EXPLOSIVES DETECTION: OTHER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORKING DOG INDUSTRY
  • Paul Mundell, Executive Director, American Service Dog Access Coalition (ASDAC)
  • Patricia Kaynaroglu, Training Manager, Penn Vet Working Dog Center
  • Susan Stejskal, LVT, PhD
• EARLY PREDICTION OF PUPPIES’ SUITABILITY FOR DETECTION CAREERS
  • Lucia Lazarowski, PhD, Auburn University Canine Performance Sciences
• SCALABILITY OF A DETECTION DOG PROGRAM
  • Lane Kjellsen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, K2 Solutions, Inc.
• PANEL DISCUSSION: CAREERS FOR DETECTION DOGS - The Wide Variety of Options and types of Detection Dogs
  • Joey Leigh, President, Arete Canine
  • Monica Errico, Training Specialist, United States Department of Agriculture National Detector Dog Training Center
  • Don Slavik, Executive Director, USPCA
• UPDATE ON THE AKC DETECTION DOG TASK FORCE
  • Sheila Goffe, AKC Vice President, Government Relations
• CONCLUDING REMARKS
  • Dr. Carmen Battaglia, AKC Board Member, Detection Dog Task Force Co-Chairman

*Schedule subject to change

*Click Here to Register for the Conference* 

Please send any questions or comments to DetDogConference@akc.org or to Melissa.Ferrell@akc.org.

For information on the AKC Detection Dog Task Force http://www.akc.org/edc