Evaluation and Development of MIlitary Working Dog Decontamination Kit

Military working dogs (MWDs) have been an integral part of the US military since its inception. Currently, these working dogs are assigned to every branch of the US military and are deployed worldwide. These dogs are frequently deployed into military field environments that can at times be quite hazardous. Current decontamination protocols for military working dogs are limited and fail to address the wide variety of different chemical exposure scenarios that exist in the military theater. Protecting military working dogs from exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials is especially challenging because protective equipment in the form of inhalation masks and suits essentially blocks a MWD’s ability to perform key functions (detecting, smelling, warning and biting). While a canine’s paws and face are obvious areas for rapid exposure, the canine’s fur is its first line of defense against less than immediately toxic exposures. TDA Research, Inc. proposes to develop a MWD decontamination kit that will contain products and procedures which have been scientifically shown to remove toxic materials from fur and skin. Our goal is to provide a kit that is safe for the MWD and can be safely used by the handler in the field with no external resources.