Overview

The IWDA represents professionals working with dogs trained to perform useful work and assist humans in various tasks. Focuses on the effective and efficient utilisation of working dogs on aspects of safety, security, patrol, detection, tracking / trailing, SAR, dual purpose, health, biodetection, conservation, assistance, etc. The IWDA brings together professionals working in these fields making them part of a large international professional community sharing a common vision of a safer, healthier and happier world. Membership of the IWDA enables professional development, sharing of best practices, support for problem solving, raising of standards and the opportunity to get involved thus shaping the future of our profession. Membership includes working dog handlers, trainers, instructors, experts and specialists as well as enthusiasts supporting the work that these special dogs do. Categories of Professional Membership include Associate, Junior, Certified, Instructor and Honorary. Companies can also register for membership as Associate, Non-Profit or Certified. Enthusiasts from the public may also join the IWDA as Affiliate Members. The IWDA expects all its members to adhere to professional and ethical standards and to have received adequate training and be certified to perform their particular task(s) to a very high standard. VISION: Bringing together K9 professionals into a large international professional community sharing a common vision of a safer, healthier and happier world. MISSION: To create a worldwide network of K9 professionals who share guidelines for action and training, with particular attention to the effective and efficient utilisation of K9s on aspects of safety, security, detection, trailing, rescue, assistance, health, conservation, as well as other disciplines where dogs may be trained to perform useful work and assist humans.