ASDA is requesting $4,520 for two projects:
September 26, 2013
Planet Dog Foundation
85 Bradley Drive
Westbrook, ME 04092
Dear Ms. Smith,
1. To cover the educational costs associated with having our 15
member team SARTECH II certified by the National
Association of Search and Rescue.
2. To fund canine participation in two cancer research studies
by covering the resources members need to bring the dogs to
the lab.
Thank you for selecting American Scent Dog Association (formerly Arkansas Search Dog Association) as a finalist for the
Planet Dog Foundation Fall 2013 Grant Cycle. We are excited about the success our organization has experienced this
year, and we are hopeful that our growth will be supported by Planet Dog Foundation.
Per your request, I have included the following materials for the Board’s review:
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Grant application (below)
Project Budget (attachment 1); supporting documents for budget (attachments 1a & 1b)
2013 financial statement (attachment 2)
ASDA 2013 annual report (attachment 3)
Media article supporting narrative (attachment 4)
Our work is deeply rooted in the belief that dogs are our allies; we are grateful that you’re considering being ours, too.
Warmly,
Donna Waugh
President, American Scent Dog Association
501.350.9090
Dr. Arny Ferrando
Training Officer, American Scent Dog Association and UAMS cancer researcher
713.702.0732
Alex Roberts
Communications and Media, American Scent Dog Association
501.908.1753
Specific goals and measurable outcomes for the project to be funded.
We are requesting assistance for two projects.
The first project requests a $3,520 grant from Planet Dog. ASDA plans to have our 15 members complete the
Fundamentals of Search and Rescue course (FUNSAR), challenge and pass the SARTECH II certification exam, and
utilize the acquired skills on the frequent searches we conduct.
FUNSAR is the National Association of Search and Rescue course designed to prepare searchers to challenge the
SARTECH II certification exam. Topics in the course include survival and support, search, and rescue. The FUNSAR
curriculum focuses on rural and wilderness environments, which is quite appropriate for the state of Arkansas, where
almost half (48%) of the state’s population resides in rural areas.
As the most reputable canine search organization in Arkansas, it is our mission to provide fully capable search and
rescue assets to local and state law enforcement agencies. With more than 600,000 acres of lakes, 9700 miles of rivers
and streams, and 2.4 million acres of forest, our state can present a number of challenging and treacherous situations
during search operations.
The second project requests an additional $1000 grant from Planet Dog that we will use to increase our efforts in
canine cancer detection.
ASDA dogs (and their handlers) voluntarily participate in two, multi-year studies aimed at determining dogs’ reliability in
identifying hard-to-diagnose cancers – namely, thyroid and ovarian. Our members and dogs are involved on a voluntary
basis because they believe in the uncanny, discerning power of a dog’s nose. However, they unfortunately incur all
travel, parking, and related expenses that are required for them to participate. To date, we have successfully
transitioned the dogs’ alert capabilities to cancer detection and have clearly demonstrated their ability to discriminate
between cancerous and healthy body fluids. Our current efforts focus on developing methodology to utilize canines as
an adjunct to clinical treatment.
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Evaluation methodology- how do you measure success? What is the rate of success in your program? What
quantifiable results can you share from last year? What quantifiable results do you expect to achieve in the upcoming
year? Please be very specific, providing numbers and statistics to demonstrate your success rate.
Our successful training methods allow us to produce a fully operational detection canine within a 30-60 day period.
Fourteen dogs are trained for (live find) rescue searches and twelve are cross-trained operational Search and Rescue
recovery (cadaver/human remains detection) canines. Three of these dogs are water cadaver capable.
We have virtually a 100% success rate of identifying the presence of human remains on land, water, or in any
structural environment. One of our dogs, John D, has just received the American Humane Association National Hero
Dog Award for Search and Rescue. This honor was awarded in great part upon his demonstrated capability to find both
lost individuals and human remains. Our training methodology in search and rescue is now being innovatively applied to
the clinical detection of various forms of cancer.
ASDA dogs are currently involved in 2 medical research studies designed to examine their reliability in the detection
of ovarian and thyroid cancer in human tissues (e.g., blood, urine, saliva). Our efforts will determine their reliability in
the detection of these cancer types (and further, discerning these cancers from others) in hopes of both early
detection and the prevention of unnecessary surgical procedures. In the upcoming months, we expect to complete
reliability testing to examine the dogs’ capability to alert on a “hot” or cancer-containing sample, as well as their
ability to distinguish specific cancer types (i.e., discern thyroid from lung cancer). We expect to publish these results in
scientific journals.
Further, ASDA was invited to partner with The Museum of Discovery in their premiere event introducing
innovative science to the public. ASDA was selected because of the intense interest in our search and rescue
dogs who have also been advanced to training in human cancer detection. The dogs that currently find thyroid
and ovarian cancers in the research project at UAMS will be featured along with the physicians and scientists
who designed the studies. This is a high profile event designed to spark interest in Arkansas' most innovative
scientific advances. American Scent Dog Association is honored to be chosen as a speaker and exhibitor for this
exciting program, aptly named, SPARK!
In a ten-day period in March 2013, ASDA volunteers made multiple 250 mile round-trip journeys to provide 43 hours
of night searches, 14 hours of review, and 5 hours of training while still fulfilling full-time job obligations.
In the last year, ASDA:
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Signed on as the dog team for a neighboring county (Faulkner County) emergency management response team
and responded to 10 callouts, conducted 6 missing person searches and 7 recoveries for that county.
Performed 24 educational seminars at rotary clubs, animal shelters, the Museum of Discovery, children’s
summer camps, and other popular community events.
Held 51 mandatory weekly training sessions.
Developed a canine aptitude test and handler profile that helps identify traits most common in successful SAR
team applicants. This lowered our attrition rate to less than 5%.
Responded to call-outs on Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving Day and Memorial Day weekend. In our eleven-year
history, we have not declined a single call out.
Provide specifics on where your dogs are obtained and your training methodology.
Dog selection:
The vast majority of dogs on our team have humble beginnings as shelter rescues. Even our purebred dogs come from
seemingly ‘flawed’ lineage. Donated by breeders due to physical traits eliminating them from the show rink, ASDA’s dogs
have demonstrated that the heart of the dog, not the pedigree, is responsible for its character and courage.
ASDA is dominated by two main breed types – German shepherd and Border Collie/Lab mixes. While we encourage
training to begin at an early age, we will train any dog that exhibits a strong ability to work for reward and in concert
with handlers.
Training Methodology:
With a basis in ethology, ASDA believes that the “dogs teach us.” This methodology is centered on the dog’s instinctual
desire to detect and follow scent. We combine this with classical conditioning to pair the search scenarios with a reward
such as food, praise or play, so that the dog quickly associates search work with a reward. We do not allow aversive
training of any kind. This same methodology has been successfully utilized when training our dogs to detect ovarian or
thyroid cancers. In fact, we have had such overwhelming success in this regard that we have recently renamed ASDA to
the American Scent Dog Association (from the Arkansas Search Dog Association) to reflect an expansion of our skills and
capabilities.
ASDA also focuses on the development of dog/handler communication skills. In particular, handlers are taught to
eliminate their human biases and “trust” the dog, which has the relevant skill set. Handlers are taught to understand
their dog’s particular form of communication/alert, and how to reinforce desired behavior.
ASDA consistently trains every weekend for 4-6 hours, unless the dangers of thunder/lightening or heat exceeding 100°
F are present. Our training consists of practice searches and human remains detection exercises in rural and urban
settings around the Little Rock area. Training exercises are scripted to increase the dogs’ skill and comfort levels, and
include increasingly difficult scenarios. In addition to SAR training, dogs and handlers devote additional time on a
weekly basis to participate in clinical research studies on cancer detection.
Our team:
Our team is composed of highly skilled members with unique capabilities. Our team is also highly educated, including
several advanced degrees. One of our members, Dr. Arny Ferrando, in addition to being a retired Army officer and pilot,
is a clinical scientist conducting cancer detection research utilizing our canines and training methodology. Our President
is a SARTECH II with a variety of FEMA certifications. In all, we have 3 members with active-duty Army experience and
relevant skill sets ranging from survival to training to operations to flying expertise. Four separate members have
Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) certification. This advanced training is significant because it helps us
recognize the earliest symptoms of dogs’ stress (such as yawning), which ensures the safety of our teams. Our dogs are
NOT equipment; they do NOT spend their lives in crates or pens. ASDA dogs are cherished working partners and family
members. This is in stark contrast to the utilitarian function they fill for many teams.
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Specific budget request with detailed explanation of how funds will be spent and accounted for, and additional
sources of project support.
Attached.
Most recent audited financial statement for the project’s parent organization, and, if applicable, a 2013 Income
Statement for the project to be funded.
Attached.
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Most recent annual report and/or recent newsletter if your organization produces them.
Attached.
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List of your Board of Directors.
Donna Waugh, President
Terri Alpe, Treasurer
Dr. Arny Ferrando, Operations Officer
Alex Roberts, Dir. Media and Communications
501.350.9090
501.590.0457
713.702.0732
501.908.1753
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Are there any ways in which your organization can help to publicize or promote a grant from the Planet Dog
Foundation?
Upon successful receipt of this grant, our web page will be updated to highlight the award, the educational training
provided with these funds, and the importance of these funds to our organizational mission. As we have done in the
past, sponsorship by Planet Dog will be highlighted on our website (see address below), along with a description of
services provided by the grant.
We will seek press coverage to publicize receipt of this award and in so doing, underscore our gratitude to Planet Dog
while generating increased awareness of our mission, capabilities, and requirements.
During community and professional presentations, we will be able to endorse the Planet Dog Foundation and how their
grant enabled ASDA to advance their K9 SAR service to the community.
The publication of results from our clinical research studies will disclose the financial support of Planet Dog. In addition,
due to the unique nature of these studies, frequent press releases and coverage will highlight the collaborative support
of Planet Dog.
Finally, if permissible, our future team shirts and K9 working harnesses will contain the Planet Dog Foundation moniker
surrounded by wording such as “I’m from Planet Dog” or, “I’m a PLANET DOG Dog” or, “Sponsored by Planet Dog
Foundation”. This is especially meaningful when media captures the dogs’ efforts during large national searches. ASDA
dogs have been featured around the world on newspaper headlines and with television coverage.
You may also include any additional narrative information, client success stories, photographs, press clippings, etc. If
your program has a website, please include the URL.
Website: http://www.scentdogassociation.com
Article and video about our dogs’ work in cancer research: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/12/06/cancer-sniffingdogs-could-save-lives-researchers-say/
Local News article and video about John D’s Hero Dog success: http://www.thv11.com/news/article/275249/2/LittleRock-Dog-Gains-National-Recognition-For-Saving-Lives-and-Detecting-Cancer
Narrative 1:
ASDA can’t explain the miracle of dogs; we just watch a hero at work from the end of a leash.
See attached news coverage article.
Late fall of 2010, ASDA members arrived at a Pine Bluff, AR park. An older woman approached one of our dogs, John D
and asked if she could pet him. We readily agreed. After a few minutes of hugging, patting and whispering in his ear, the
woman thanked us and walked away.
We spent that afternoon in a boat on the water, searching for a missing man. Several of the water cadaver dogs were
drawn to a spot on the river and the dive team was notified.
When we pulled the boats back to shore, John D made a mad dash straight to the woman who had hugged him. As soon
as he got to her, he leaned hard against her legs. She bent down and grabbed him tightly. After a moment, she looked
up at us with tears in her eyes.
“Before you got on the boat, I told this dog to please go bring my baby home. I told him he was my only hope. I know
your dog is telling me he’s found my son.”
He had. John D found the woman’s son, who had drowned two days before.
This story will be featured during the American Humane Association’s National Hero Dog Awards in October 2013 in
Hollywood California. As a result of John D’s award, a production company representing the Hallmark Channel spent 3
days in Little Rock filming all aspects of John D’s and ASDA team performance. Of particular interest to the production
crew were the techniques and methodologies associated with both a search for a missing person and the recovery of
human remains. A recreation of John D’s discovery of the boy’s body, as described above, was filmed.
Narrative 2:
ASDA’s K9s are utilized in cancer detection studies.
We have recently extended our innovative training techniques and dogs’ capabilities to detect human-related scents by
cross-training them to detect the presence of various cancer types in body fluids and tissues. In two ongoing studies at
the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), our dogs are being trained to detect the presence of ovarian
and thyroid cancers. The Hallmark Channel production crew dedicated an entire day to filming the innovative application
of our detection techniques to the area of cancer detection. The physicians and scientists involved in the studies
investigating the canine detection of both ovarian and thyroid cancers were extensively interviewed. Further, a training
scenario involving John D’s detection and alert of positive cancer samples was recreated. Thus, we expect a great deal of
forthcoming national exposure due to both John D’s award and our translation of detection techniques to clinical
medicine.
The ovarian cancer study is under the guidance of a distinguished oncological gynecologist, Dr. Alex Burnett. While
ongoing, our experience to date indicates that our dogs are easily trained to detect the presence of ovarian cancer.
Current efforts are directed towards the determination of their reliability in the detection of ovarian cancer in human
tissues. Our President, Donna Waugh, is a collaborator on this study and innovator of training methods used for cancer
detection.
The second cancer study is lead by our team Operations Officer, Dr. Arny Ferrando, and investigates the detection of
thyroid cancer in saliva, blood, or urine of metastatic (malignant) thyroid cancer patients. The potential advantage of
canine detection is considerable, as there is currently a great uncertainty surrounding thyroid cancer screening. At
present there is no screening method that can differentiate benign from malignant nodules. Once a nodule is identified,
current practice is to perform a fine needle aspiration biopsy; however this method often yields an insufficient number
of cells for complete diagnosis. Thus, multiple biopsies are required, each entailing only an approximate 60% chance at
proper diagnosis. As a general rule, if a patient is not diagnosed after 3 attempts, they are then referred for surgical
removal of the nodule. However, the data indicate that almost 80% of thyroid surgeries were NOT required. Thus,
current diagnostic procedures entail a high probability of incomplete diagnoses and a substantial possibility of
unwarranted surgery. If the dog’s detection of thyroid cancer proves to be as reliable as their detection of human
remains, as we anticipate, then a large percentage of risky surgery and multiple biopsies can be avoided.
Our experience to date indicates that our dogs quickly learn the identification of thyroid cancer in body fluids. This is
contrary to current maxim, which states that dogs can only be trained to identify one scent category. Our ongoing
scientific efforts are directed towards reliability testing to determine the dogs’ sensitivity (identification of a true
positive cancer sample and specific cancer type) and specificity (non-identification of true negative sample) in the
identification of thyroid cancer. Multiple body fluids are tested to facilitate ease of future diagnoses, as urine and saliva
samples represent non-invasive collections, and blood as a common standard for diagnosis.
We believe that by utilizing our dogs that are already scent trained for the purposes of human search and rescue; we will
circumvent the substantial training time required for a naïve dog. Most importantly, we believe that the amazing scent
and training capability of our dogs may be utilized to improve clinical detection of certain cancers, and in turn,
minimize the anxiety, time, and expense associated with cancer treatment.