Auburn University Canine Detection Program
Who We Are
The mission of Auburn University’s Canine Detection Program (CDRI) is to conduct research and development to enhance canine detection technology. All our research is NON-INVASIVE. We recruit dogs into our program from local shelters. Though the course of our research, we are able to provide an environment for homeless dogs that is stimulating, fun and rewarding, and in turn they assist us in performing an incredibly valuable service, which is to gain a better understanding of canine olfaction. What is truly unique about our research efforts is that we assess and quantify the olfactory capabilities of dogs using the science of behavior. All our dogs are trained using positive training methods, and one of the techniques we employ most often is clicker training. It is exciting and rewarding (for both dog and trainer) to clicker train each section of a behavioral chain, and once each component has been trained, to observe a dog “put all the pieces of the puzzle together.” The dogs are always ready to work and doubt that they “see” their job as one big game with the opportunity to gain lots of treats and praise. When a dog in our program lets us know that he or she is ready to retire, we adopt them out to families in the community. We have a very high success rate in placing our dogs in homes and would like to continue finding them good homes in the future
Adopting a friend
Prior to adopting one of our dogs to a person/family, we ask the potential adopters’ to provide at least two references: One who can provide a personal reference about the person/family and the other preferably from a veterinarian who has provided care for other animals in the person/family’s care. We also have the person and dog meet on more than one occasion to assess whether they are a good match. If all criteria are met, the dog is given a brief physical health exam by the veterinarian who provides care for the dogs in our program and a standard adoption contract is completed. We don't charge an adoption fee. The only requirements we stress are that the person adopting the dog have a fenced in backyard and that the person will provide lots of love!
Contact:
Patricia Miller @ (334) 844-4237 or cornwpl@auburn.edu
Auburn University Canine Detection Program
103 McAdory Hall
Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
Email: Click here for a list of pets at this shelter
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