Have you watched our Introductory Workshop 1 video, and completed Training Modules 1-3 as part of our Volunteer Dog Survey Program? Then you are ready for Workshop 3!
Join us for Workshop 3, where dog-handler teams will take the next big step in their training journey: transitioning from dried Siebold’s viburnum samples to live plant detection.
During this in-person workshop, each participating team will begin by working with the same containers used in at-home training—now with live plant material. With guidance from our Conservation Dogs Program handlers, teams will then move to detecting the plant in-situ, building the skills needed for real-world surveys.
We’ll be working in small groups of 4 dog-handler teams per session to ensure individualized support. Time slots are:
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9:00–11:00 AM
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11:30–1:30 PM
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2:00–4:00 PM
Teams may attend their assigned time slot only - or stay for the full day to observe and learn from other sessions. We will be grouping teams by progression in the training plan and will let participants know their assigned time slot on August 13th.
Volunteers who are not quite ready for this stage, or those who don’t secure a dog working spot, are highly encouraged to attend all or part of the day as auditors to learn what’s ahead and see how to begin introducing live plant detection.
👉 Space is limited to 12 active dog-handler teams. Please indicate if you would like to sign up for a dog session or just audit when you register.
This workshop is an exciting and essential step toward preparing your dog for field surveys—we hope to see you there!
IMPORTANT: Even if you don't secure one of the 12 dog training spots, you are still encouraged to attend the workshop without your dog!
**This same workshop will be held monthly throughout the summer/fall so teams progressing at different rates can transition to live plants with the guidance of the CDP handlers**
Format: In-person
Who Should Attend: Dog teams that have watched our introductory workshop 1 video and completed training modules 1-3 (i.e., dog teams that have progressed to successfully detecting the dried viburnum samples provided to them and are now ready to transition to live plant samples)
Can Dogs Attend?: We have space for 12 of the participants to also bring their dogs for a training session; however, all volunteers are encouraged to attend regardless if they get a dog training spot or not
Where to meet: Loantaka Brook Reservation; Parking details to be sent out following registration
Contact info: Sarah Jackson, (551) 288-1192, [email protected]
