Meet Mystique
- Female Labrador Retriever, DOB 01/25/2020
- Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Canine Performance Sciences, Breeding Program.
“From the time they are 3 days old, our puppies are engaged in age-appropriate protocols to prepare them for detection tasks." Pamela Haney, manager of CPS performance research and development.
- Trained by Robert Noziska of National Canine Facility.
- Trained to detect and locate rattlesnakes to within 10' of location and indicate a find.
“Dogs are inherently great detectors thanks to 300 million olfactory receptors, compared to only six million for humans, and the significance of odor in guiding their behavior,.." Paul Waggoner, Canine Performance Sciences program co-director. Read the full article here.
Sean McGann, Handler
I did not grow up with dogs. I was adopted by Sophie, my first dog.
At a year old, Sophie, a boxer / pitbull mix, got herself thrown out of her groomer's practice and was recommended to a Search and Rescue team here in New Mexico. At the time I had been thinking about volunteering as a ground-pounder here in Santa Fe. This would be an entirely new adventure.
About a year later, Sophie and I were certified as a live-find air scent SAR team. I found the processes of training a dog for a specific skill and learning to work as a teammate with them, absolutely amazing. A dog's nose, as well as their ability to cover ground, represented amazing potential.
I am grateful to have had these experiences in my life, to have trained with incredible teachers, and to have worked with some incredible canines.