September 2005: President Fred Helfers developed and coordinated detection dog training for 32 dog teams in Florianopolis, Brazil.

Fred Helfers along with Duane Wantland (Everett PD), Steve Echevarria (Walla Walla PD) and Tim Skipper (Canby PD ret.) conducted a four week handler school for Brazilian police detection dog teams in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The handler course was attended by police dog teams and observers from all over the country of Brazil.

The intense four week course utilized standards from the Pacific Northwest Police Detection Dog Standards and resulted in the certification of 23 dog teams for Narcotics detection.

These certification standards for drug detection dog teams were subsequently adopted by the Brazilian Government.

CERTIFICATIONS
Pacific Northwest Police Detection Dog Assoc. Members who have passed PNWPDDA Certification are recognized by WA state C.J.T.C.

Members do need to do the following. Send a copy of your certificate and a letter from you Departments K-9 supervisor stating that the detection team “dog and handler” have passed PNWPDDA certification.   Mail the letter from your supervisor and certification documents to WA state CJTC attention Doug Blair.