By Jed Weisberger
IWDBA Communications
The International Working Dog Breeding Association (IWDBA) is a non-profit (501(c)(3)) organization established in the United States and incorporated in the State of Texas. The mission of IWDBA is to provide tools, educational materials, and training opportunities that promote the production and rearing of healthy, behaviorally appropriate dogs ideally suited for performing their work.
It’s how our dogs perform their work that makes its mark in our world. As has been discussed, “A Dog’s Nose Knows” in so many ways. As one who enjoys the company of my personal dogs, it never ceases to amaze, since the time I was much younger, how, when you are “under the weather,” your canine partner always seems to know and provide comfort.
That was my surface observation. Little did I know before working with the IWDBA, how much more a trained dog can do in helping diagnose human maladies. It is nothing less than fascinating. Odor-detecting dogs perform many functions in our society.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, dogs displayed abilities to differentiate between a healthy person and one infected with Covid just by smell after training. Other dogs have been trained to help diagnose diabetes. Our medical detection dogs, once trained, can do this by smell.
Others, many in the military, or serving on police forces, have been trained to detect explosives, making it easier for such threats to more easily be neutralized. Beginning in March, there will be feature stories at https://www.iwdba.org emphasizing and explaining how our members’ dogs’ work contributes all over the world.
Whether your area of expertise with working dogs is breeding, training, developing dogs who assist in the medical field, assist or help prevent disasters – or any other function, the IWDBA has a place for you. Our annual individual membership is well-worth-it at $150. A student membership is $75. One can join, on-line, at https://www.iwdba.org/register/.
As a member, you will will be able to:
1. Read three academic journals – the official scientific research journal of IWDBA is the Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research. The journal is published six times annually by Elsevier and is available online through ScienceDirect in addition to the Journal of Genetics and Genomics and Animal Behavior.
2. Participate in our on-line Forums, to which we would welcome discussions from your people. We offer Forums pertaining to Conditioning, Canine Behavior and Police/Military and are planning a fourth that will feature Veterinary Care and Emergencies.
3. Enjoy and add to a series of on-line seminars that we are planning for 2022.
4. Be apprised of the latest on plans for IWDC 2023, hopefully in-person in an exciting city.
5. Read and be a part of features on what leading members are doing with working dogs.
6. Receive all other benefits we would offer over the next year.