Vapor Wake® dogs are an impressive breed of service dogs introduced in 2004. These remarkable canines are specially trained to detect explosive particles in human heat plumes. Here’s what makes them stand out:
- Scientifically-Based Training: The Vapor Wake® training process is so technically advanced that Auburn University was granted a patent for it in 2015. Dr. Paul Waggoner and his team applied fluid dynamics principles to guide the development and training of these dogs. They studied how people in motion leave a thermal “plume” behind them, similar to the wake a boat creates in water. This invisible heat signature contains odor and particles from the person, which the dog can track.
- Incredible Olfactory Abilities: Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell. With up to 300 million olfactory receptors (compared to our mere six million), they can separate complex aromas into individual scents. Their nostrils operate independently, allowing them to detect scents in parts per trillion. To put that in perspective, it’s like sniffing out one drop of Kool-Aid in 10 Olympic-size swimming pools!
- Tracking Explosive Trails: Vapor Wake dogs excel at detecting explosive threats even in crowded environments. They can follow the scent trail left by a potential bomber moving within a crowd of thousands. Unlike traditional detector dogs, Vapor Wake dogs don’t need to inspect items directly; they track the odor in real-time.
These remarkable canines enhance security at major events, transportation hubs, and public places. Their ability to detect explosives while people are on the move is invaluable in our ever-evolving security landscape .
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