Mission Focus
Mission
Serve as a consortium to unite programs that employ detection dogs to benefit society throughout the US and around the world.
Collect and analyze genetic, behavioral and physical data; and integrates the latest scientific information in order to optimize the success and well-being of detection dogs.
Prepare for future demands and facilitate research by developing a detection dog breeding/training program that will implement, test, and disseminate the
knowledge gained.
Our History
Established in 2007, the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, is part of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine and serves as a national research and development center for detection dogs.
With the United States national security under constant threat from attacks, detection dogs are still the best tool that we have to detect and mitigate potential threats. Search dogs are also critical for the detection of victims of natural and man-made disasters.
Our goal is to increase collaborative research, scientific assessment, and shared knowledge and application of the newest scientific findings and veterinary expertise to optimize production of valuable detection dogs.
Our Focus
Practical Focus
- Determine optimal strategies for screening, rearing, and training detection dogs.
- Provide tools including genetic material, breeding stock, and semen.
- Design physical health screening and conditioning programs.
Academic Focus
- canine genetics
- orthopedics
- nutrition
- behavior
- rehabilitation
- emergency medicine
- reproduction
- clinical trials
Societal Focus
- Collaboration with successful community based programs to involve prisons and youth-at-risk programs in the puppy socialization and early training of the dogs from our program.
- Enhance the ability to identify successful detection dog candidates from shelters or rescues.
