National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC®

Official NACSW™

ODOR RECOGNITION TESTS

 

Odors Tested:

Birch, Anise, Clove

 

Date:

Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 10:00 am

 

Test Site Hours:

9:00 am to 30 minutes after last dog runs

 

Test Location:

4506 Interstate 70 Drive SE, Columbia, MO 65201

 

Test Host:

Columbia Canine Sports Center

 

Test Host Contact Info:

Kathy Echols, krechols@aol.com

 

Certifying Official:

Virginia Huxley

 

Judge:

Michael McManus

 

Entry Cost: $30 per odor tested

 

Number of Entries: 100

 

 

ORT ENTRY INFORMATION

 

Opening Date: Monday, December 5, 2023 at 9:00 am CST

Entries Close: Friday, January 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm CST

 

Second Dog Policy: Two dogs per handler for each odor tested.

 

Entry Method

Online entry only, payment through PayPal (PayPal account is not required)

 

Entry Requirements

 

A Qualified Entry is one that meets all the following criteria:

1. Complete entry during the specified entry time frame.

2. The Handler is a NACSW member for the 2023-2024 membership year (8/1/23- 7/31/24).

3. The Dog is registered with the NACSW.

4. Dogs participating in an Odor Recognition Test (ORT) must be at least six months of age.

 

For information on how to register or become a member go to www.NACSW.net

 

Trial Eligibility and ORTs

The ORT Title must be earned at least 14 days before a trial opening date to be eligible for the first draw period.

All odors must be passed in order to earn the ORT title.  It is not required that they all be passed at the same test.

 

Notification

Acknowledgement of entry acceptance/confirmation, will be made by email when entries are processed for those handlers that provide an email address. If you require a confirmation via USPS, you must provide a self-addressed stamped envelope with your entry. Your payment receipt and notification is confirmation of your completed entry

 

Basic Description of the Test

To successfully pass an ORT a dog must identify the location of the target odor and the handler must correctly call an “alert” within a three-minute time period. The Odor Recognition Test consists of a drill type exercise which requires 12 closed boxes typically set up in a pattern of two rows, spaced a minimum of 48” apart. The ORT is conducted on leash. Complete information can be obtained on the NACSW website.  Handlers may test on all 3 odors at the same event.

 

All exhibitors should obtain and review a copy of the NACSW K9 NOSE WORK® RULE BOOK. You may get it from their website: www.NACSW.net

No dog will be given more than one space in the same odor test at a single event.

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

 

The following cancellation policy applies:

For cancellation of entries on or before 5 pm CDT, January 12, 2024 – Full refund minus $5 processing fee. For cancellation of entries after 5 pm CST, January 12, 2024 – a refund will only be issued if a note is provided from a doctor or veterinarian.

 

Entry fees shall not be refunded if a dog or handler is absent, disqualified, or excused by the NACSW official or judge.

 

This cancellation and refund policy applies to competitors that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons.

 

If the ORT cannot take place or be completed by reason of fire, civil disturbances, an Act of God, public emergency, or any other cause beyond the control of the test organizers, then the ORT host will make their best effort to provide partial refunds after recouping their expenses.

 

All cancellations must be emailed to the Kathy Echols at krechols@aol.com.

 

Entry fees shall not be refunded if a dog or handler is absent, disqualified, or excused by the NACSW official or judge.

 

This cancellation and refund policy applies to handlers that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons.

 

If the event cannot take place or be completed by reason of fire, civil disturbances, an Act of God, public emergency, or any other cause beyond the control of the event organizers, then the event host will make their best effort to provide partial refunds after recouping their expenses.

 

LOCATION DETAILS

 

ADA Site Specific Conditions

 

The test location is a dog training facility. There is a paved parking lot, with both stairs and a sloped driveway. The training building does have a rolled rubber floor. There are several handicap parking spaces on the west side of the building. If you need a handicap space, please contact Kathy Echols at krechols@aol.com to reserve one.

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Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, these conditions may be modified at the last minute.

 

Modeled after real-life detection work, NACSW events are held in many different locations, with a variety of terrain, under varying weather conditions. Dogs and handlers need to be able to safely negotiate a variety of surfaces, including, but not limited to, tile, linoleum, carpeting, gravel, asphalt, uneven surfaces, and slippery footing. Handlers should be prepared to deal with a variety of weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain and snow. Events frequently require covering extensive distances to get to and from the parking area to each of the search areas and generally require that this be done across natural, uneven surfaces. Handlers should be prepared for the physical demands and must be able to navigate the terrain with their dog accordingly. Handlers should expect to spend most of the day outside or in their vehicles as there are rarely indoor crating options at events. Please be prepared for you and your canine partner to deal with all of these varying environmental challenges. Handlers should familiarize themselves with potential regional risks and health concerns that may affect themselves or their dogs.  Handlers agree that they are entering this event at their own risk. 

 

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, the details below may need to be modified at the last minute.

 

Parking

Competitor parking will be a paved parking lot, there is limited shade.

 

RV Parking

No overnight RV parking is available. There is adequate parking for 3 large RVs.

 

Running Vehicles or Generators in the parking lot

There is ample parking, and we will have a separate parking area for those who wish to run their rehicles or generators during the event.

 

Reactive Dog Parking

There will not be any reactive dog parking at this event.

 

Unentered Dogs

Unentered dogs must remain in the competitor’s vehicle during the test day. There will be ample potty areas, but unentered dogs should not be allowed to “play”, exercise, or train on the test grounds.

 

Crating Options

Participants should be prepared to crate out of their car.

 

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed on this test site, including the use of e-cigarettes, per City of Columbia ordinance.

 

Hotels

A list of local hotels can be found here… https://www.columbiak9sportscenter.com/localhotels

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DOG INFORMATION

 

Dog Policies

• All dogs must be on a 6’ leash at all times when not searching. NO flexi-leashes while not participating in a search.

• Reactive and/or spatially challenged dogs should wear a red bandana (to be provided by the dog’s handler) to help signal others that the dog needs extra space from other dogs.

• Dogs will be toileted in designated areas and handlers must pick-up and dispose of waste.

• Dogs and handlers must stay in designated areas to avoid contaminating search space, interrupting a search, or from viewing any part of the searching.

• Handlers should expect to keep their dogs confined in a crate or vehicle when not searching. The logistics of an event typically do not allow for dogs to hang out on leash in between searches. Handlers should plan to provide their own shade using canopies or shade cloths.

• Refer to location details (above) for information on unentered dogs.

 

 Females in Season

Females in season will be allowed to run wearing “pants” at the very end of the day after all other dogs have tested. Handlers with females in season should park and toilet their dogs away from the other dogs if the location logistics permit. Handlers must email the Kathy Echols at krechols@aol.com so plans can be made for the dog.

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OTHER INFORMATION

 

ADA Requests

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request accommodation(s), please email ADA@nacsw.net.  Please include your name, ORT date, ORT host name, and your requested accommodation(s).

 

Rules

Complete rules are available at www.NACSW.net. It is the responsibility of each handler to read and understand the current NACSW™ Rule book prior to participating in a NACSW event.

 

Liability

By registering for the ORT Test, the handler hereby assumes all risks of, and responsibility for, accidents and/or damage to her/himself or to her/his property or to others, resulting from the actions of her/his dog. The handler expressly agree that the NACSW, Columbia Canine Sports Center, and its assignees or any other person, or persons, of said groups, shall not be held liable personally, or collectively, under any circumstances, for injury, and/or damage to her/himself, for loss or injury to property, whether due to uncontrolled dogs or negligence of any member of said groups, or any other cause, or causes. The handler also agrees to assume all financial liability that may be incurred by the NACSW due to the actions of themselves or their dogs regardless of the cause.

 

Sportsmanship

All handlers and spectators are expected to follow the rules of the NACSW and demonstrate good sportsmanship. This includes making sure the hide placements are unknown to the handler prior to searching and kept secret from other handlers. Please do not discuss hide placement or any details of a dog's performance that may provide information or clues to other handlers or may be overheard.

 

Results

During the odor re-sets, the official results sheet will be brought out to the parking area for handlers to photo or review. We recommend you verify your results on the official results sheet and let your host or judge know if you have any questions regarding your results.

 

Spectators

Space permitting, spectating will be allowed per ORT guidelines as outlined in the rule book. The ORT Certifying Official has the right to limit spectators at their discretion.

 

Spectators are reminded that the hide placements must not be discussed nor should they speak with any handlers about what they saw until after the event is complete.

 

No dogs will be allowed in the spectator area. No unentered dogs with spectators are allowed at the event.

An adult accompanying a minor must be present during the searches.

 

Everyone at the site must sign the waiver provided by the host and comply with all event requirements.

 

Handlers are not allowed to watch the searches at any time.

 

Videotaping and Photography

If the site allows public video to be taken, handlers may wear visible head or chest cameras to record their searches. You will not be allowed extra time at the start line to get your camera functioning. Please be sure it is ready to go prior to arriving at the search area. At ORTs, handlers may bring a spectator to video or photograph their searches. Videos may not be made public until completion of the event day.

 

Emergency Veterinary Hospital

The closest emergency veterinarian(s) to the event location:

University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center

900 E. Campus Drive

Columbia MO 65201

573-882-7821

 

Horton Animal Hospital-Discovery

3609 Endeavor Ave

Columbia, MO 65201

(573) 777-3609

 

Questions

All Test related questions, contact Kathy Echols at krechols@aol.com

 

Details regarding check in time and briefing will be sent approximately 1 week before the ORT.