National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC®
Official NACSW™
ODOR RECOGNITION TESTS
Odors Tested: Birch, Anise Clove
Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
Test Location: Magic City Acceptance Center 3130 3rd Avenue S, Birmingham AL 35233
Test Host: Ben Shepard, Sprout and Penny Canine Foundation
Certifying Official: Corrine Dreyfus
Judge: Cindy Roberts
Entry Fee: $40 per dog per odor
Number of Entries: 100
ORT ENTRY INFORMATION
Opening Date: July 20, 2024 at 12:00 pm Central
Entries Close: August 31, 2024 at 12:00pm Central or When entry limits have been met.
Entry Method:
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TELEPHONE, EMAIL, UNSIGNED ENTRIES, AND ENTRIES RECEIVED WITHOUT FEES cannot be accepted.
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Declined Credit/Debit Cards do not constitute a valid entry fee.
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ENTRIES will be accepted online only at https://www.spk9.org/events
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NO ENTRY SHALL BE MADE AND NO ENTRY SHALL BE ACCEPTED, WHICH SPECIFIES ANY CONDITIONS AS TO ITS ACCEPTANCE.
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OWNERS are responsible for errors in making out entry forms.
Notification
Acknowledgement of entry acceptance/confirmation, will be made by email when entries are processed. Your payment receipt and notification is confirmation of your completed entry.
Entry Requirements
A Qualified Entry is one that meets all the following criteria:
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Complete entry during the specified entry time frame.
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The Handler is a NACSW member for the 2024-2025 membership year (8/1/24 - 7/31/25).
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The Dog is registered with the NACSW.
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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
An ORT must be taken and passed 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.
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 one or 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 test.
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.
Results
During the odor re-sets, the official results sheet will be brought out to the parking area for testers 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.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Refunds will be given for cancellation of entries, minus a $5 processing fee per entry, if notified by email at jbenshepard@gmail.com by August 24, 2024 at 12 pm CT.
No refunds will be given after August 31, 2024 at 12 pm CT.
Entry Fees shall not be refunded in the event that a dog is absent, disqualified, or excused by the NACSW™ official or judge. All cancellations must be emailed to Laurie Malone at laurie@spk9.org.
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.
LOCATION DETAILS
Test Site Hours
8:00am - 4:00pm
Details regarding check in time and briefing will be sent approximately 1 week before the ORT.
Site Specific Conditions
The ORT Location is in a one floor building with an accessible ramp from the parking lot to the entry. The ORT test will take place in a large meeting room with polished concrete flooring. The parking lot is adjacent to the building and is paved.
Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, the expected test area, parking, and/or pathways may be modified at the last minute.
Reactive Dog Parking
There will not be designated reactive dog parking at this test. If made aware of dog or handler needs, we will do our best to accommodate.
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
RV Parking
There is limited space for RVs to park during the test day. To reserve a space, you will need to contact the host after you receive a confirmation that you have received a space in the ORT. Email jbenshepard@gmail.com to reserve RV space. No overnight RV parking is available.
Running Vehicles or Generators in the parking lot
The parking is tight at this location and running generators in the parking lot is not allowed
Hotels
Hotels in the Hoover and Homewood areas are within easy driving distance to the ORT site.
DOG INFORMATION
Dog Policies
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All dogs must be on a 6’ leash at all times when not being tested. NO flexi-leashes while not participating in a test.
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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.
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Dogs will be toileted in designated areas and handlers must pick-up and dispose of waste.
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Dogs and handlers must stay in designated areas to avoid contaminating testing space, interrupting a test, or from viewing any part of the testing.
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Competitors should expect to keep their dogs confined in a crate or vehicle when not testing and should plan to provide their own shade using canopies or shade cloths.
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Refer to location details (above) for information on unentered dogs.
Females in Season
Female in season be allowed to run wearing “pants” at the very end of the running orders after all other dogs have been judged. Females in season will be parked and pottied in areas separate from the other dogs while at the test if the location logistics permit. Handlers must contact jbenshepard@gmail.com so plans can be made for the dog. Please contact your host at least 1 day before the ORT if your female dog will be in season.
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).
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. Everyone at the trial site must sign the waiver provided by the host and comply with all event requirements.
Veterinarians
Steel City Emergency Vet
1900 Hoover Ct, Hoover, AL 35226
Rules
Complete rules are available at www.NACSW.net. It is the responsibility of each competitor to read and understand the current NACSW™ Rule book prior to participating in a NACSW event.
Liability
By registering for the ORT Test, the competitor 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 competitor expressly agree that the NACSW, Ben Shepard, Sprout and Penny Canine Foundation 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 competitor 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 competitors/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 testing and kept secret from other competitors. 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.
Questions
All Test related questions, contact Ben Shepard at jbenshepard@gmail.com
All entry fees will go toward our Sniff 4 Life program, training dogs for the early detection of cancer 💜