Canine certification method

Abstract

A certification method for working canines which allows for quantified measurement of the canine's ability to detect scents at various levels. Said method employs standard scientific measures including the use of controls to verify the minimum level at which a canine can sense a particular scent including those generate by both illegal narcotics and explosive devices. The method is used to compare and determine a particular canine's ability as compared to other canines that have also been subject to the test. The method will allow handlers and other third parties the ability to evaluate the acuity of a each individual canine.

1 . A method to certify an animal's acuity to detect scents at varying concentrations, comprising the steps of:
 a. using a sealed testing chamber,   b. placing an animal in said sealed chamber;   c. instructing the animal to signal or display when they detect a scent;   d. introducing the scent into the chamber at low concentration;   e. increasing the concentration of the scent in the chamber;   f. observing the animal to detect the animal's signal or display,   g. recording the level of scent concentration at which the animal displays, and,   h. issuing a certification if the animal detected the scent at a predetermined threshold.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , in which said animal is a canine. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , in which the handler enters the chamber with the canine. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , in which an operator records the level of concentration at which the canine detects scent in a computer database. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , in which the scents used are those generated by explosives or controlled substances. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5  in which said canine is a canine specifically trained to use its sense of smell to detect explosives, illegal drugs, narcotics and similar controlled substances. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , in which a separate chamber is used to permit the handler and canine the opportunity to acclimate to the space. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , in which a control of pure air is occasionally introduced to verify test results. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , in which statistical analysis is performed on the test results of various canines to determine a specific canine's relative ability.