Southeast Scent Work Alliance

28/05/2024

SSWA finished up a string of four trial weekends since January with a sizzling hot (literally!) event in Hanceville, Alabama. The heat can be a challenge to both human and canine motivation, so teams took advantage of the kiddie pool we set up for a bit of relief. It's unusual to have feral cats in searches, , but the dogs knew their job and were unimpressed. Many thanks to the CO, ACO, Judges, SRL and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make us look good. Debrief video and trial result links are on the website.
Until next time...✌️

28/05/2024

Attention to all participants in our Hanceville trials: we found this nice purple jacket during our cleanup. If this belongs to you, please contact us!

20/05/2024

FYI: there is now NO WAITLIST for the NW2 this coming Sunday in Hanceville. The event is full, but we all know things happen last minute and a spot could open. If you need an NW2, or are interested in running FEO, this is a great opportunity. Skirt and heels not required!

02/05/2024

We have the first of our photographers Elite day photos from Bremen available for you to view and purchase. More coming soon!

07/04/2024

As a reminder to the Bremen Waitlist Stalkers (you know who you are!)
We update our waitlists in real time. Like, immediately. If you haven't seen a change in what seems like forever, it's because there haven't been any changes to make. We APPRECIATE that you want to spend your day with us and we work hard to quickly accommodate everyone we can. Here endeth the rant!

22/03/2024

Competitors have now received links to the amazing photos from the Trussville Elite and NW3. You can purchase your pictures a la carte or as a package. For convenience, here are the links:

https://tnk9.pixieset.com/sswatrussville/

https://snapshotsbyjenscobee.pixieset.com/southeastscentworkalliance-march16and17trials/sunday31724/

Photo collection by Top Notch Sport Dog Photography

18/03/2024

Written by Leigh, a co-founder of SSWA:
Many kudos and thanks to the competitors at our Trussville Elite and NW1 trials this weekend! We appreciate all of you! There were many special moments, which I will speak to in another post. This one, though, is about only one.
The southeast nosework community unexpectedly lost a special person a few weeks ago. Nancy Walker was known and respected by many and was entered into our NW1 trial on Sunday. After her passing, her dog, Risk was re-homed per Nancy's wishes to Angie Brotherton. Angie is another known and respected nosework trainer and judge. Angie was then assigned as Risk's handler for the trial.
NW1 is the first level of true competition. Although Angie would tell you that Nancy did all the training and all she did was hold the leash, that is not quite the case. Angie and Risk had only a short time to learn to work with each other as a team, and for Risk to acclimate to his new situation, but Angie was firm in her commitment to run Risk in memory of Nancy. And, run they did!
The goal was to title, which means that Angie and Risk needed to be perfect in all four searches. A high bar for any team and especially one that was just getting to know each other. Not only were they one of the 18 (out of 50!) teams that titled, they took High in Trial! I will admit there were a few tears shed at the announcement. Some of them might have been mine.
Some might say it's a fairy tale ending. Truth is it's a fairy tale BEGINNING for this remarkable team, just like Nancy would have wanted. Congratulations to Angie and Risk!

15/03/2024

SSWA will be have the very popular "bone bags" for sale in five colors and three sizes at ALL of our trials in 2024. For Trussville, proceeds will go to Camp Gertrude Coleman. These bags are unique. One handle can be detached and used as a leash. They are ventilated so you can carry a puppy or stash your dog stuff. Thanks to a very generous donation from Peggy Williams at the Backyard Pet Boutique, we can make them available to you at a great price.

14/03/2024

Sharing Lue Ann's plea for volunteers. We are so appreciative of our community and the support for this trial. Please consider volunteering and enjoy a day of fun and learning. And lunch. Did we mention lunch? 😆

CSE has been a centerpiece in the local community for generations. Thank you Eagles for welcoming SSWA to your campus for some K-9 fun and games! View Map

08/03/2024

Mark your calendars, set your alarms and tell your friends, SSWA'S April 27/28 ELT and NW3 trials in Breman Alabama open for entries on Monday, March 11, 11:00 am Central.
Southeastscent.com/events

“I just wanted to say THANK YOU!, again, for allowing Edison to participate in Run & Done! I truly am thankful you all were willing to look beyond his disability. We started nosework to give him a job using his nose for good and not evil. I never imagined we’d actually end up wanting to enter a ...

02/03/2024

Looking for an ORT? SSWA is hosting our annual spring ORT at the University of Montevallo, Alabama, on March 30, 2024. This is a wonderful venue! Already have your ORT? Consider running FEO! It is great practice in an actual trial setting. Here is a link to enter:
Southeastscent.com/events

“I just wanted to say THANK YOU!, again, for allowing Edison to participate in Run & Done! I truly am thankful you all were willing to look beyond his disability. We started nosework to give him a job using his nose for good and not evil. I never imagined we’d actually end up wanting to enter a ...

22/02/2024

Lue Ann, Leigh and Jeff of SSWA wish to express our condolences at the passing of our friend and follow nosework enthusiast, Nancy Walker. She was loved by many and her contribution to dog sport was significant. She will be missed.

Nashville Dog Training Club:
With a Heavy Heart I regret to tell the Dog Community that we have lost a true friend in the early hours of this morning! Nancy Walker of Leaps and Bounds Agility, Nosework Instructor and so much more passed at St Thomas hospital this morning. Nancy was a NDTC Lifetime Member. Creator and Owner of Leaps and Bounds Agility, taught Nosework and even installed a Dock Diving pool at her facililty in recent years. Everyone that has been in Dog Sports in this area knows Nancy! We are very sad to hear this news. I have no details and I'm not sure if we will need to help with her dogs or anything else. As soon as we know we will get the word out. This is a sad day for all of the dog community.

25/01/2024

Our Trussville, Alabama ELT and NW1 trials open Monday, January 29 at 11 am Central. Mark your calendars and set your alarms to enter or volunteer now! We hope to see you in March!
Southeastscent.com/events

“I just wanted to say THANK YOU!, again, for allowing Edison to participate in Run & Done! I truly am thankful you all were willing to look beyond his disability. We started nosework to give him a job using his nose for good and not evil. I never imagined we’d actually end up wanting to enter a ...

20/12/2023

The Premium is up for the March 16/17 Elite and NW1 in Trussville, Alabama! Have a look and mark your calendars for January 29th, when this trial officially opens for entry.

Listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, Camp Coleman is one of the longest continually operating Girl Scout camps in the USA. It has provided nearly a century of excitement and adventure! View Map

27/10/2023

October 14-15, SSWA hosted what may be our favorite trial events, to date, at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds in Rome, GA. The weather was just right and the site was so much fun! Our CO, Karin Damon, did a fantastic job, and our judges, Kathy Pierce, Tracy Sargent, and Pam Rogers, were amazing as well. The vibe was a happy one and I've never seen so many ribbons awarded!
Today, Jeff and I presented the Exchange Club of Rome with a check for $1200 that was raised for that cause, during the event. They were most appreciative and we know the money will be put to good use in the local community. Lue Ann, Jeff and I want to thank everyone for making such a special weekend happen.

11/10/2023

Alert, all Waitlist Stalkers! There is some backend maintenance going on our site right now and both the ELT and NW3 waitlists are off by one team. This does not affect the #1 slot, though. The lists will be up to date again shortly. Thank you for your patience!

11/10/2023

All competitors and volunteers in this weekend's Rome Elite and NW3 trials, heads up and lead feet off the gas pedal! There is a sneaky automated speed monitor at the school zone on MLK Jr Blvd. Save yourself $75 and drive the speed limit. Ask me how I know. 😆

06/10/2023

Our charity for the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds event next week is the Exchange Club of Rome, https://romeexchangeclub.com , who made the use of the fairgrounds possible, and do much good work in town. We will hold a raffle each day for one of these adorable "Bone Bags", filled with awesome stuff for you and your dog! The bone bags have been generously donated by Peggy at the Backyard Pet Boutique. They are vented, so they work as a small dog carrier, or a duffle for your stuff.
We will also have bags on site, in several colors and sizes, in addition to the raffle bags. All proceeds will go to the Exchange Club. We appreciate your support!

30/09/2023

Sweet P's, just steps from Competitor Parking, will be open for lunch both Saturday and Sunday at the Coosa Vally Fairgrounds trials. The buffet runs between $14 & $16, with Senior Discounts available. We hope you will support this local business and enjoy the convenience of a restaurant on site!

12/09/2023

If you are joining us for the NACSW trials in Rome, Ga in October, you need to book your hotel ASAP. The Fiddlin' Fest is the same weekend and rooms are going fast!

07/09/2023

Are you, or do you know, a waitlist stalker? We admit that we have been known to refresh a waitlist every half hour to see if we have moved up. 🤪
Our SSWA waitlists are updated in real time, meaning that when we know, you know! And, in case you didn't know, the waitlist for any open trial can be found on that trial's event page at southeastscent.com/events
You're welcome.

02/09/2023

Heads up!
Confirmations and weekend-ruining waitlist notifications for the Rome Ga Elite and NW3 arriving in your inbox today. 🤞for all who entered!

30/08/2023

Set your alarms! Our NACSW Elite and NW3 trials at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds in Rome, GA opens TODAY at noon, eastern. You can't get in if you don't enter!

Fall begins here for residents of the Coosa Valley, including Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama. From the rides on the midway to livestock and community exhibits of art, gardening and industry, the Fair has been sponsored as a non-profit service project by the Exchange Club of Rome since 1949....

11/08/2023

For those anxiously awaiting, the Premium for the Elite/NW3 in Rome, GA is now available on our website, southeastscent.com/events
Mark your calendars! The opening date is August 30th.

31/05/2023

SSWA always selects a local canine organization that we can raise money for at our events. Last weekend, in Hanceville, our chosen group was the Cullman County Sheriff's K9 Unit. Saturday we set records by raising nearly $500. The Sunday group said, "Hold my beer" and contributed more! Our total contribution is $1100 for a most worthy organization. Special thanks to Matt Bales and Terry Smith of the Sheriff's department, and Pam Rogers who was our liaison. Very special thanks to all our competitors for digging deep and supporting this cause.

29/05/2023

What a wonderful day we had yesterday! These ladies were amazing as they and their K9 partners nailed their NACSW NW1 titles!

Pictured: Sharon Rogers (Bubbles)

Cathy Nieuwoudt (Angie)
Also took 3rd place Vehicles

Ellyn Smith ( Flidais)

Lue Ann Lott SSWA

Carol Burt (Jazz)
Also took 3rd Place overall

Emily Helman (Zii)

Joan Pizitz (Delli)

29/05/2023

Here is the link to view all the amazing photos that Reagan Pearman of Top Notch Sport Dog Photography took over the weekend. I know you will find the perfect shot of your dog there! We will also be emailing this link to all competitors.

Photo collection by Top Notch Sport Dog Photography

28/05/2023

A couple of photos from Top Notch Sport Dog Photography of top winners in our Hanceville NW3 today. Congratulations to Angie and Groot, and Pam and Hunt for superlative performances!

27/05/2023

Attention, attention! All competitors, volunteers, and officials in tomorrow's NW3 in Hanceville please watch for an important email coming your way. Tomorrow is the Hanceville Grilled Cheese Festival, and Commerce Street will be blocked. Directions to enter the school are provided on the email. Basically, enter from the back, via Stadium St. From Highway 31, take Park Street, then turn right on Stadium. Call Leigh if you have any difficulty.

23/05/2023

Spend big to win big! AND, support a worthy cause! Our event charity for Hanceville is the Sheriff's K-9 Unit of Cullman County. We will have multiple baskets for Saturday's NW3 and for Sunday's NW1. Winners will be announced at the debriefs and you must be present to win.