Southeast Scent Work Alliance

12/11/2024

Confirmations and Waitlist Notifications for the January ORT in Montevallo AL have been sent. If you have entered and have not received an email from SSWA, please check your junk mail and notify us if necessary. Congratulations to all confirmed entries!

11/11/2024

Entry for SSWA'S January ORT in Montevallo AL opens today at 11am eastern. Set your alarm!

25/10/2024

SSWA will be hosting our annual ORT (Odor Recognition Test) on January 4th, 2025 at the University of Montevallo Old Gym, Montevallo Alabama. Mark your calendars!

16/09/2024

Plenty of room for you to enter!
Upcoming ORT for NACSW, September 28, 2024
NW1, Elt-S, & NW3 Trials October 26-27 all in Hammond, LA

How to be the Best Team with your dog: Learn to work the dog that you have! Working spots for teams trialing at NW1 or NW2 level or AKC Novice/Advanced levels.

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 ...

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.