WEBVTT - https://subtitletools.com

00:00:05.516 --> 00:00:19.756
[ Music ]

00:00:20.256 --> 00:00:24.816
>> Next up we have Dr. Kari
Meidenbauer from JHU/APL.

00:00:25.576 --> 00:00:27.676
Johnny alluded to it.

00:00:27.676 --> 00:00:32.536
It was news to me that the
TSA administrator signed the

00:00:32.536 --> 00:00:34.126
document, our recommendation.

00:00:34.126 --> 00:00:36.336
You know, he told me before.

00:00:36.336 --> 00:00:38.736
He didn't spring it on me
while I was sitting there.

00:00:38.736 --> 00:00:39.926
But I'm happy to hear

00:00:39.926 --> 00:00:42.556
that because we worked
hard over last year.

00:00:42.556 --> 00:00:46.246
Congress had dictated in
the appropriations language

00:00:46.246 --> 00:00:48.596
and all through, is a
working group put together

00:00:48.596 --> 00:00:50.066
by all the stakeholders.

00:00:50.416 --> 00:00:54.706
We came up with, we had already
been working on some kind

00:00:54.706 --> 00:01:00.836
of breeding consortium
concept with Hopkins and S&T.

00:01:01.176 --> 00:01:05.686
And, you know, a large, the
majority of the recommendations

00:01:05.686 --> 00:01:08.066
that went back, there's still
some things to be worked out.

00:01:08.546 --> 00:01:09.796
The procurement, for instance.

00:01:09.796 --> 00:01:11.106
We still have a gap with that.

00:01:11.106 --> 00:01:15.436
But, you know, we finally got
some traction with some support

00:01:15.536 --> 00:01:19.576
from Congress and industry folks

00:01:19.896 --> 00:01:23.096
to really put together
what we're, you know,

00:01:23.156 --> 00:01:26.746
what we're calling kind
of a breeding consortium.

00:01:26.746 --> 00:01:28.636
Whether we're taking
advantage of the breeders.

00:01:28.636 --> 00:01:32.356
And, you know, we've
tried certain government,

00:01:32.416 --> 00:01:35.346
federally sponsored
breeding programs.

00:01:35.346 --> 00:01:36.886
You know, they've worked
to a certain degree.

00:01:36.886 --> 00:01:38.946
But, you know, that's
not what we recommend.

00:01:38.946 --> 00:01:40.666
And there's breeders out there.

00:01:40.666 --> 00:01:41.976
There's dogs available.

00:01:41.976 --> 00:01:43.066
There's willing partners.

00:01:43.066 --> 00:01:46.796
We want to be able to take
advantage of that knowledge

00:01:47.066 --> 00:01:49.606
and help the working dog folks.

00:01:49.606 --> 00:01:51.926
Not only the TSAs and
the federal partners,

00:01:51.966 --> 00:01:54.266
but also the state and local
guys who are, you know,

00:01:54.266 --> 00:01:56.276
they're going to shelters.

00:01:56.276 --> 00:01:58.086
You know, they need
some help with this.

00:01:58.366 --> 00:02:01.386
We also want to apply some
science to be able to get

00:02:01.386 --> 00:02:03.646
to a better product
at the end of the day.

00:02:03.646 --> 00:02:07.776
Is, so Kari's going to
talk about this effort

00:02:07.776 --> 00:02:11.946
that we're piloting
within S&T to do that.

00:02:12.586 --> 00:02:15.076
It's encouraging that
the language is moving

00:02:15.076 --> 00:02:16.056
up through Congress.

00:02:16.056 --> 00:02:19.366
Because we're hoping this
pilot sets the stage and works

00:02:19.366 --> 00:02:21.656
out some of the bugs
on a smaller scale

00:02:22.006 --> 00:02:25.146
that we hope we get support
to ramp up on a larger scale.

00:02:25.146 --> 00:02:27.096
So, Kari, I turn it over to you.

00:02:27.416 --> 00:02:28.076
Thank you.

00:02:28.576 --> 00:02:31.876
[ Applause ]

00:02:32.376 --> 00:02:32.786
>> All right.

00:02:32.986 --> 00:02:34.176
Good morning everybody.

00:02:34.176 --> 00:02:35.516
And thanks for bearing with us.

00:02:35.576 --> 00:02:37.226
So I'm the last technical talk.

00:02:37.226 --> 00:02:39.326
And you're all still
here, so that's good.

00:02:39.556 --> 00:02:41.606
But my name is Dr.
Kari Meidenbauer.

00:02:42.296 --> 00:02:44.676
I'm a member of the
JHU/APL team.

00:02:44.676 --> 00:02:45.896
And I'm their staff
veterinarian.

00:02:45.896 --> 00:02:48.096
And I'm also the
technical co-lead

00:02:48.096 --> 00:02:51.556
for the explosive detection
domestic breeding consortium

00:02:51.786 --> 00:02:53.766
that is sponsored by DHS S&T.

00:02:54.176 --> 00:02:57.156
And my other co-lead
David Deglau is also here.

00:02:57.156 --> 00:03:00.736
So once I go through this, I'm
doing like the 10,000 foot view.

00:03:01.006 --> 00:03:02.686
There's lots of technical
details on this.

00:03:02.686 --> 00:03:05.676
I could brief you for hours,
which nobody wants me to do.

00:03:05.676 --> 00:03:08.606
So please come up and ask
us questions afterwards.

00:03:08.606 --> 00:03:11.436
I'm happy to dig into
any of the details.

00:03:11.436 --> 00:03:11.856
All right.

00:03:11.976 --> 00:03:13.786
So a little bit of background,

00:03:13.786 --> 00:03:16.116
a look back at what
initially drove this effort.

00:03:16.466 --> 00:03:19.956
So back in 2018 the DHS
Appropriations Act came out.

00:03:20.006 --> 00:03:23.406
And it was focusing on the need
to meet the increasing demand

00:03:23.406 --> 00:03:25.106
for explosive detection canines.

00:03:25.266 --> 00:03:28.046
It was looking at and
evaluating the feasibility

00:03:28.046 --> 00:03:30.226
of developing a dedicated
breeding program.

00:03:30.226 --> 00:03:32.436
And it really wanted to focus
on what the cost would be

00:03:32.436 --> 00:03:33.416
for something like that.

00:03:33.776 --> 00:03:34.946
The length of time something

00:03:34.946 --> 00:03:37.036
like that would need
to start up.

00:03:37.476 --> 00:03:39.416
As well as how do
we differentiate

00:03:39.416 --> 00:03:41.096
between the quality
dogs that might come

00:03:41.096 --> 00:03:42.136
out of such a program.

00:03:42.486 --> 00:03:45.626
And the current dogs that
we procure from overseas

00:03:45.626 --> 00:03:47.766
and from the current venues
that we get dogs from.

00:03:48.716 --> 00:03:50.526
In addition, it was
looking at, you know,

00:03:50.526 --> 00:03:52.656
how TSA could do a
department-wide breeding program

00:03:52.656 --> 00:03:54.456
versus just a
department-specific one.

00:03:54.456 --> 00:03:56.156
Because of the numerous
challenges we've had in the past

00:03:56.386 --> 00:03:57.816
with the department-specific
programs.

00:03:58.436 --> 00:04:00.986
In addition to this
effort, S&T was also tasked

00:04:01.326 --> 00:04:03.456
under the appropriations
act to look at this

00:04:03.456 --> 00:04:05.266
from a scientific perspective.

00:04:05.696 --> 00:04:08.476
So we wanted to look at, how
do we integrate best practices,

00:04:08.476 --> 00:04:11.356
and genetics, genomics,
breeding, olfaction.

00:04:11.356 --> 00:04:13.706
As well as behavior
training and,

00:04:13.706 --> 00:04:15.766
or physiology and metrology.

00:04:16.826 --> 00:04:19.416
In addition to this, you know,
as it was just referred to.

00:04:19.416 --> 00:04:21.866
During the H.R.302,
we were tasked

00:04:21.866 --> 00:04:23.146
to set up a working group.

00:04:23.536 --> 00:04:25.146
And so we did sit on
that working group.

00:04:25.146 --> 00:04:27.466
And thankfully the conclusions
that came out with that group

00:04:27.466 --> 00:04:30.576
of technical experts paralleled
beautifully with the effort

00:04:30.576 --> 00:04:32.786
that we have already
started in the pilot

00:04:32.786 --> 00:04:34.076
that we're beginning this year.

00:04:34.076 --> 00:04:37.156
And so, as you know, this
last bullet is, it's just,

00:04:37.306 --> 00:04:39.586
it's been confirmed that
it actually is supported

00:04:39.586 --> 00:04:40.756
by the TSA administrator.

00:04:40.756 --> 00:04:43.556
Which is great news, as I
said before and start talking

00:04:43.556 --> 00:04:44.626
about the details here.

00:04:45.106 --> 00:04:46.416
So the objectives.

00:04:46.416 --> 00:04:47.576
So why are we doing this?

00:04:47.576 --> 00:04:49.816
Initially, it was to meet
that congressional call.

00:04:50.156 --> 00:04:52.466
In addition, we have
an expanding need

00:04:52.526 --> 00:04:56.016
and no availability
really of domestic supply

00:04:56.016 --> 00:04:57.556
for explosive detection canines.

00:04:57.556 --> 00:05:00.416
Right now a great number of
our dogs do come from overseas.

00:05:00.416 --> 00:05:02.936
And there's a lot of challenges,
as you can imagine, with that.

00:05:03.536 --> 00:05:06.246
First, the continuity of
supply is a huge issue.

00:05:06.246 --> 00:05:07.996
The issues of political
influences

00:05:07.996 --> 00:05:09.066
and cultural challenges.

00:05:09.066 --> 00:05:11.756
And then also getting the
dogs here is a huge issue.

00:05:11.756 --> 00:05:13.256
So we have to go
on these buy trips.

00:05:13.326 --> 00:05:14.056
Collect the dogs.

00:05:14.166 --> 00:05:14.706
Bring them back.

00:05:14.766 --> 00:05:15.246
Test them.

00:05:15.246 --> 00:05:16.176
And then, if they fail,

00:05:16.556 --> 00:05:18.246
the issues with missed
opportunity costs

00:05:18.246 --> 00:05:19.416
with that too are huge.

00:05:19.916 --> 00:05:21.886
We're also interested in
developing a line of canines

00:05:21.886 --> 00:05:24.186
that are suitable for, not
only the immediate needs,

00:05:24.516 --> 00:05:26.156
but as well as the
long-term demand.

00:05:26.336 --> 00:05:30.126
So our needs in this space
have changed drastically

00:05:30.126 --> 00:05:32.806
over the last two decades and
even the last decade to meet,

00:05:32.806 --> 00:05:35.016
you know, the challenges
our adversaries are placing

00:05:35.016 --> 00:05:35.546
in front of us.

00:05:35.546 --> 00:05:37.966
And, you know, how do we
enhance this technology

00:05:37.966 --> 00:05:39.666
to be even better to
meet those challenges.

00:05:39.666 --> 00:05:42.736
Our goal is to take a
scientific-based approach

00:05:42.736 --> 00:05:44.846
that can endure and
improve over time.

00:05:44.926 --> 00:05:47.366
As well as collaborate with
the current infrastructure.

00:05:47.536 --> 00:05:49.866
So how do we do this without
reinventing the wheel?

00:05:49.926 --> 00:05:53.076
You know, there's huge groups
of canine advocates and breeders

00:05:53.076 --> 00:05:54.426
and different interest
groups out there.

00:05:54.776 --> 00:05:56.756
How do we build into that
structure versus trying

00:05:56.756 --> 00:05:58.746
to build a parallel one
that's not as accessible?

00:05:59.436 --> 00:06:02.716
In addition, we want to be
able to develop a qualitative,

00:06:02.856 --> 00:06:05.556
unbiased improvement
methodology for selection

00:06:05.556 --> 00:06:06.956
and breeding of working dogs.

00:06:07.416 --> 00:06:10.176
You know, Don mentioned the
focus on EDC's for this project.

00:06:10.176 --> 00:06:11.736
But also what do we
do with those dogs

00:06:11.736 --> 00:06:14.016
that don't meet the
EDC requirements?

00:06:14.016 --> 00:06:16.296
So for breeding dogs,
obviously, not every dog bred

00:06:16.296 --> 00:06:18.196
out of this program is
going to be the perfect EDC.

00:06:18.256 --> 00:06:20.916
We hear trainers who
can look at a litter

00:06:20.916 --> 00:06:22.096
and pick out three puppies.

00:06:22.096 --> 00:06:23.276
And be like, they're
going to be great.

00:06:23.276 --> 00:06:24.346
The rest of them I
don't care about.

00:06:24.466 --> 00:06:27.496
So how do we take that knowledge
that the trainers has just

00:06:27.496 --> 00:06:29.806
from experience and create
something that's measurable

00:06:29.806 --> 00:06:33.206
and quantitative to select
those dogs reliably to go

00:06:33.206 --> 00:06:35.566
to their EDC discipline
and be operational canines?

00:06:35.566 --> 00:06:37.006
And how do we take the
other dogs and figure

00:06:37.006 --> 00:06:37.636
out where they fit best?

00:06:37.906 --> 00:06:39.616
If we're breeding
with intention,

00:06:39.616 --> 00:06:40.676
these should all be good dogs.

00:06:40.676 --> 00:06:42.746
So maybe they'll be great
search and rescue dogs.

00:06:42.746 --> 00:06:44.436
Or maybe they'll be
great seeing eye dogs.

00:06:44.806 --> 00:06:47.106
How do we take them and apply
them to different disciplines?

00:06:47.236 --> 00:06:48.746
So that's part of this as well.

00:06:49.086 --> 00:06:51.436
And also minimizing the
lost opportunity costs,

00:06:51.436 --> 00:06:52.176
as I mentioned.

00:06:52.176 --> 00:06:53.396
Decreasing dropout rates.

00:06:53.396 --> 00:06:54.826
Increasing acceptance rates.

00:06:55.046 --> 00:06:56.326
And, most importantly,

00:06:56.326 --> 00:06:58.186
increasing the operational
lifespan.

00:06:58.186 --> 00:07:00.836
We want to create a
community with this.

00:07:00.936 --> 00:07:03.246
So one of the other interesting
things is if we think

00:07:03.246 --> 00:07:04.626
about canine interest groups

00:07:04.626 --> 00:07:06.796
in the United States,
there's tons of them.

00:07:06.836 --> 00:07:07.956
You know, we have the AKC

00:07:07.956 --> 00:07:09.546
and the breed-specific
interest groups.

00:07:09.856 --> 00:07:11.886
We have the seeing eye dogs
are a great example of what

00:07:11.886 --> 00:07:13.866
that looks like to create
a culture and a community

00:07:13.866 --> 00:07:14.926
that supports breeding.

00:07:14.926 --> 00:07:17.956
And tries to really improve
their specialty dogs.

00:07:18.316 --> 00:07:19.936
Also hunt dogs, they're
great at that.

00:07:20.146 --> 00:07:21.196
But we don't have anything

00:07:21.196 --> 00:07:23.056
like that currently
available for the EDC.

00:07:23.086 --> 00:07:25.466
We have a couple
testing things out there.

00:07:25.506 --> 00:07:28.096
But a lot of inconsistencies
across the community.

00:07:28.456 --> 00:07:31.336
So how do we as a group develop
a culture and a community

00:07:31.336 --> 00:07:34.756
around EDC's that will support
developing high quality dogs

00:07:34.866 --> 00:07:36.106
to meet, not only
government needs,

00:07:36.196 --> 00:07:37.656
but needs as a whole
as a nation?

00:07:37.656 --> 00:07:39.386
And then, most importantly,

00:07:39.386 --> 00:07:41.396
is that this consortium
will develop a canine,

00:07:41.556 --> 00:07:43.096
working canine data bank.

00:07:43.096 --> 00:07:44.706
And so this will be
a national resource

00:07:44.756 --> 00:07:46.166
that we can use for
years to come.

00:07:46.546 --> 00:07:49.646
Right now we have really minimal
data for longitudinal studies

00:07:49.646 --> 00:07:50.746
of operational canines.

00:07:50.746 --> 00:07:53.656
And very minimal data on
early development strategies.

00:07:53.656 --> 00:07:56.106
And how do we take these
puppies and create good dogs?

00:07:56.686 --> 00:07:58.956
So that's a huge component
of this project as well.

00:07:59.216 --> 00:08:02.406
The three, or excuse me,
four major components

00:08:02.406 --> 00:08:04.046
of this effort are shown here.

00:08:04.186 --> 00:08:05.306
I'm going to touch on them here,

00:08:05.306 --> 00:08:07.146
and then I'll get a little bit
more into technical detail.

00:08:07.196 --> 00:08:08.776
But, as I said, we're
keeping it high level

00:08:08.776 --> 00:08:09.526
because this is short.

00:08:10.046 --> 00:08:11.966
First is phenotype
characterization.

00:08:11.966 --> 00:08:14.076
Which is the quantitative
evaluation

00:08:14.076 --> 00:08:15.896
and identification
of canine's health.

00:08:16.266 --> 00:08:18.746
As well as physical and
behavioral characteristics.

00:08:19.346 --> 00:08:21.686
So if you're not familiar with
the term "phenotype," it's going

00:08:21.686 --> 00:08:24.316
to be the outward
manifestation of genetic traits.

00:08:24.376 --> 00:08:26.736
So you can think about it,
the overall health of the dog.

00:08:26.806 --> 00:08:28.386
The behaviors that they display.

00:08:28.386 --> 00:08:29.586
And what we're interested in.

00:08:30.136 --> 00:08:31.166
Canine selection.

00:08:31.446 --> 00:08:33.206
So incorporating
phenotype evaluation

00:08:33.206 --> 00:08:34.266
with operational needs.

00:08:34.386 --> 00:08:37.326
And using weighting factors
to select that optimum canine.

00:08:37.456 --> 00:08:39.966
And then we have our
breeding and development.

00:08:40.046 --> 00:08:43.316
Selecting breeds and developing
explosive detection canines

00:08:43.316 --> 00:08:44.766
by use of the consortium
approach.

00:08:44.766 --> 00:08:46.896
And supporting other
facets of the program.

00:08:47.136 --> 00:08:49.136
And last, but not least,
the genotype effort.

00:08:49.136 --> 00:08:50.776
Which is a part of
this as well as looking

00:08:50.776 --> 00:08:54.016
at combining biological sampling
with health and performance data

00:08:54.486 --> 00:08:57.676
to develop models and inform
the breeding and user community

00:08:57.676 --> 00:08:59.606
for the goal of advancing
breeding

00:08:59.606 --> 00:09:01.486
and occupational expectations.

00:09:02.126 --> 00:09:03.326
So out of those four circles,

00:09:03.326 --> 00:09:05.106
we're getting four
primary products

00:09:05.106 --> 00:09:06.246
out of the consortium as well.

00:09:06.246 --> 00:09:07.846
Now, these products
will be available

00:09:07.846 --> 00:09:09.196
to the whole user community.

00:09:09.196 --> 00:09:11.736
As well as all consortium
participants.

00:09:11.736 --> 00:09:13.296
And they're going to be
the phenotype survey.

00:09:13.696 --> 00:09:15.906
Which is an evaluation
of the dog's traits.

00:09:16.206 --> 00:09:16.886
That's pooled together.

00:09:16.886 --> 00:09:18.646
So basically all the
traits that we're looking

00:09:18.646 --> 00:09:20.886
for that we want
operational canines to have.

00:09:21.416 --> 00:09:23.006
We also have the
canine selection tool.

00:09:23.006 --> 00:09:25.726
Which is the application of
that phenotype evaluation.

00:09:25.726 --> 00:09:27.066
So how do we collect
those things?

00:09:27.066 --> 00:09:29.256
And then weight them to
understand what kind of traits,

00:09:29.256 --> 00:09:30.746
like how much of
this trait do we want

00:09:30.746 --> 00:09:31.976
to see in a successful dog?

00:09:31.976 --> 00:09:33.666
And you can choose
based on that.

00:09:33.666 --> 00:09:35.386
And potentially apply
it to other disciplines.

00:09:35.386 --> 00:09:37.436
Change the weighting and say,
this is actually the weighting

00:09:37.436 --> 00:09:39.496
of those traits I want
for a seeing eye dog.

00:09:39.496 --> 00:09:40.736
Or a search and rescue dog.

00:09:41.246 --> 00:09:43.526
Also, obviously, the outcome
of this consortium is going

00:09:43.526 --> 00:09:44.626
to be program-sourced canines.

00:09:44.656 --> 00:09:45.386
We want dogs.

00:09:45.456 --> 00:09:48.356
So you saw those huge numbers
that Mr. Diller posted.

00:09:48.406 --> 00:09:50.026
You know, TSA has
a growing demand.

00:09:50.026 --> 00:09:51.816
And that's not the
only agency interested

00:09:51.816 --> 00:09:53.246
in explosive detection canines.

00:09:53.666 --> 00:09:55.136
So how do we meet
that growing demand

00:09:55.136 --> 00:09:56.446
with domestically sourced dogs?

00:09:56.866 --> 00:09:59.516
And last, but not least, is
using that genotype effort

00:09:59.616 --> 00:10:01.886
to develop predictive health
and performance models.

00:10:01.956 --> 00:10:05.796
So I'm going to fly through
these a little bit just

00:10:05.796 --> 00:10:07.936
because we're going
to be time tight here.

00:10:08.036 --> 00:10:10.156
But the phenotype
characterization overview.

00:10:10.576 --> 00:10:12.916
So we want to look at,
what are the qual-,

00:10:12.916 --> 00:10:15.796
or quantitative measures that
we can use to look at the dog?

00:10:15.886 --> 00:10:18.436
We want to identify and
categorize phenotypes based

00:10:18.436 --> 00:10:19.586
on existing knowledge base.

00:10:19.586 --> 00:10:21.936
And we've been pulling that
from the user community

00:10:21.936 --> 00:10:23.316
and from the research community.

00:10:23.376 --> 00:10:26.876
So there's a ton of different
evaluations out there for dogs.

00:10:27.376 --> 00:10:28.366
And I say dogs as a whole

00:10:28.366 --> 00:10:30.446
because there's not many
specific for working dogs.

00:10:30.486 --> 00:10:31.546
There's a ton for pet dogs.

00:10:31.606 --> 00:10:34.576
But what characteristics,
what phenotypes are we looking

00:10:34.576 --> 00:10:37.156
for in a successful
operational canine?

00:10:37.516 --> 00:10:39.546
So first we got classify
all those phenotypes.

00:10:39.546 --> 00:10:42.186
And then we got to figure out
how much the presence or absence

00:10:42.186 --> 00:10:44.236
of that trait is
desirable in the end user,

00:10:44.236 --> 00:10:45.376
in the operational canine.

00:10:45.376 --> 00:10:48.016
And so that's been a huge
part of this phenotype survey.

00:10:48.016 --> 00:10:50.216
And then also developing
an evaluation

00:10:50.216 --> 00:10:52.756
where a non-subject matter
expert can go in and look

00:10:52.756 --> 00:10:54.006
at these dogs at different ages.

00:10:54.066 --> 00:10:55.416
So looking at puppies.

00:10:55.416 --> 00:10:57.396
How are these traits being
displayed in puppies?

00:10:57.396 --> 00:10:59.126
How are they being
displayed in young dogs?

00:10:59.516 --> 00:11:01.576
How are they being displayed
once the dog's trained?

00:11:01.576 --> 00:11:02.276
And the differences

00:11:02.316 --> 00:11:03.956
that training can
have on those traits.

00:11:04.476 --> 00:11:06.626
And really capturing what's
the natural manifestation

00:11:06.626 --> 00:11:08.526
of the phenotype
versus the trained one?

00:11:08.976 --> 00:11:10.696
And so that's all
components of this.

00:11:10.696 --> 00:11:13.436
And weighing it so we can
quantitatively select those dogs

00:11:13.826 --> 00:11:15.146
with a scientific backing.

00:11:16.486 --> 00:11:18.266
The canine selection
tool with that.

00:11:18.336 --> 00:11:20.046
So it comes into,
how do we apply

00:11:20.046 --> 00:11:22.146
that phenotype characterization
so the traits

00:11:22.146 --> 00:11:24.946
that we're defining,
how do we then apply it

00:11:24.946 --> 00:11:26.966
to selecting a successful EDC?

00:11:26.966 --> 00:11:28.846
Or other occupation as well?

00:11:29.566 --> 00:11:32.456
We're looking at specifically
canine-based factors as well

00:11:32.456 --> 00:11:33.796
as end-use derived factors.

00:11:33.796 --> 00:11:36.356
So that's including, you know,
availability of the dogs.

00:11:36.356 --> 00:11:38.016
How you pick based
on what's there?

00:11:38.016 --> 00:11:40.066
And then also time to train.

00:11:40.156 --> 00:11:41.096
Service lifespan.

00:11:41.096 --> 00:11:43.586
And the huge part of
canine selection too is,

00:11:43.586 --> 00:11:44.736
that we're looking at with this,

00:11:44.806 --> 00:11:47.276
is where the phenotype
meets the end user.

00:11:47.276 --> 00:11:49.086
So that came up a few times.

00:11:49.126 --> 00:11:50.326
This is for the end users.

00:11:50.326 --> 00:11:52.236
You know, we want to get
these dogs into the hands

00:11:52.236 --> 00:11:54.416
of the operational
handlers and the end users.

00:11:54.846 --> 00:11:57.106
So the canine selection tool
is for them to be able to go

00:11:57.106 --> 00:11:58.596
in there with scientific
knowledge.

00:11:58.896 --> 00:12:02.176
Without us having to teach them
about phenotypes or genotypes.

00:12:02.176 --> 00:12:04.396
Or all of the crazy science
things that get really complex.

00:12:04.866 --> 00:12:07.276
They can take this tool and
then use a scientific approach

00:12:07.316 --> 00:12:07.866
to pick a dog.

00:12:09.606 --> 00:12:10.706
The genotype effort.

00:12:10.976 --> 00:12:13.696
So at a high level the big
thing is using canine genetics

00:12:13.726 --> 00:12:15.706
to establish a scientific
knowledge base

00:12:15.706 --> 00:12:16.856
of working canines.

00:12:17.446 --> 00:12:18.886
The models will be
used to support

00:12:18.886 --> 00:12:20.536
and inform breeding decisions.

00:12:20.716 --> 00:12:21.826
Health and longevity.

00:12:21.956 --> 00:12:23.836
Training and socialization
practices.

00:12:23.836 --> 00:12:24.776
And canine selection.

00:12:24.776 --> 00:12:28.056
And the goal is that we see both
immediate and long-term benefits

00:12:28.056 --> 00:12:32.016
in breeding, training, and the
overall EDC canine product.

00:12:32.366 --> 00:12:33.896
Plus existing traits
that have been matched

00:12:33.896 --> 00:12:36.336
in other breeds can now
be selected or avoided.

00:12:36.336 --> 00:12:37.086
Which is huge.

00:12:37.086 --> 00:12:39.036
So using those blood
sampling techniques,

00:12:39.036 --> 00:12:40.286
we can do genotyping.

00:12:40.616 --> 00:12:42.766
Look for specific traits
of interest or concern.

00:12:42.766 --> 00:12:44.096
And then select based on that.

00:12:44.176 --> 00:12:45.836
So this is going to
parallel and partner

00:12:45.836 --> 00:12:47.076
with the phenotype survey.

00:12:47.076 --> 00:12:49.986
And we can also study things
like epigenetics or training.

00:12:49.986 --> 00:12:52.856
So how does the environmental
factors influence the genetic

00:12:52.856 --> 00:12:53.636
makeup of the dog?

00:12:54.036 --> 00:12:56.416
And how do we select or avoid
things based on that as well?

00:12:56.416 --> 00:12:58.686
So this is going to be a really
interesting part when we look

00:12:58.686 --> 00:13:00.396
into how this applies
to predictive health

00:13:00.396 --> 00:13:01.416
and performance modeling.

00:13:01.856 --> 00:13:03.016
And the big thing
I want to focus

00:13:03.016 --> 00:13:04.716
on with this too is
it's all iterative.

00:13:05.176 --> 00:13:07.466
So each one of these factors
informs the other one.

00:13:07.466 --> 00:13:10.256
And so, as we continue down
this track in the pilot

00:13:10.256 --> 00:13:13.146
of this program, each litter
will give us more information

00:13:13.146 --> 00:13:15.676
to build the previous tools
more and expand upon them.

00:13:16.566 --> 00:13:19.676
And last, but not least,
our program-sourced canines.

00:13:20.376 --> 00:13:23.036
So before I run out of
time, I do want to touch on,

00:13:23.036 --> 00:13:25.076
so this is the structure of
the consortium right now.

00:13:25.076 --> 00:13:26.236
We have two entities.

00:13:26.236 --> 00:13:28.336
We have breeding collaborators
and private partners.

00:13:28.336 --> 00:13:30.076
Our breeding collaborators
are going

00:13:30.076 --> 00:13:32.786
to be our larger academic
institutions with a bit more

00:13:32.786 --> 00:13:36.706
of robust ability to breed more,
three or more litters a year.

00:13:36.706 --> 00:13:37.616
And really do something

00:13:37.616 --> 00:13:39.626
with a bit more academic
background to it.

00:13:39.666 --> 00:13:40.916
So we have partners like Auburn

00:13:40.916 --> 00:13:42.216
that are going to
be participating.

00:13:42.546 --> 00:13:43.826
We're really looking
forward to seeing

00:13:43.826 --> 00:13:45.416
where the scientific
component can come

00:13:45.416 --> 00:13:47.616
out of the relationship
with those entities.

00:13:47.796 --> 00:13:49.626
We also have our
private partnerships.

00:13:49.626 --> 00:13:51.696
We've been jokingly saying,
the ma-and-pa operators.

00:13:51.696 --> 00:13:52.686
But not necessarily that.

00:13:52.816 --> 00:13:54.976
But just smaller entities
that aren't, you know,

00:13:54.976 --> 00:13:56.836
quite as robust and
large and supported

00:13:56.836 --> 00:13:58.336
as an academic institution.

00:13:58.676 --> 00:14:01.646
But breeders that are able
to use their knowledge base

00:14:01.706 --> 00:14:02.916
to better this program.

00:14:02.956 --> 00:14:05.616
And they have a ton of knowledge
and are frequently overlooked.

00:14:06.126 --> 00:14:08.826
We also want to help support
them with scientific resources.

00:14:09.276 --> 00:14:12.076
And gain their knowledge base
to help inform future products.

00:14:12.446 --> 00:14:14.506
Plus, one of the challenges
that I know has been brought

00:14:14.506 --> 00:14:15.976
up is the issues
with procurement.

00:14:16.146 --> 00:14:18.706
So, you know, larger
entities can set up contracts

00:14:18.706 --> 00:14:20.186
with the government
and do procurement.

00:14:20.186 --> 00:14:21.486
Much more streamlined process.

00:14:21.536 --> 00:14:22.576
But that's really not something

00:14:22.576 --> 00:14:24.216
that smaller breeders
are capable of doing.

00:14:24.256 --> 00:14:27.496
So how can this program help
those smaller breeders get the

00:14:27.496 --> 00:14:30.686
quality dogs into the hands of,
you know, government entities?

00:14:30.686 --> 00:14:32.766
And in addition, you know,

00:14:32.766 --> 00:14:35.966
we want to help them expand
their ability to breed as well.

00:14:36.016 --> 00:14:38.416
So the consortium will give
them breeding abilities to get

00:14:38.416 --> 00:14:40.946
to dogs that they never
previously would have access to.

00:14:41.316 --> 00:14:42.816
The nice thing about
this structure is

00:14:42.816 --> 00:14:44.566
that S&T will help
direct the breeding.

00:14:44.566 --> 00:14:46.726
But they do not own or
house any of the dogs.

00:14:46.776 --> 00:14:48.146
All that is still in the hands

00:14:48.146 --> 00:14:50.096
of the breeding collaborators
and private partners.

00:14:50.876 --> 00:14:52.806
And at the end of day,
so there's funding

00:14:52.856 --> 00:14:55.336
for the data relationship
between DHS S&T

00:14:55.336 --> 00:14:57.316
and the collaborators
for the data flow

00:14:57.316 --> 00:14:59.706
to support them participating
in the consortium.

00:15:00.296 --> 00:15:02.576
And for the reports
back, basically,

00:15:02.576 --> 00:15:05.016
on the early learning
strategies and the process.

00:15:05.336 --> 00:15:07.506
And then from there, those
dogs will be sold directly

00:15:07.506 --> 00:15:08.626
to the user community.

00:15:09.226 --> 00:15:12.926
With the primary focus being
on explosive disciplined dogs.

00:15:13.546 --> 00:15:17.376
And so to wrap up, you know,
why would somebody want to work

00:15:17.566 --> 00:15:19.126
or be a part of this consortium?

00:15:19.506 --> 00:15:22.426
So there's compensation for time
spent dedicated to the effort.

00:15:22.426 --> 00:15:24.406
There's a potential higher
profit for the litter.

00:15:25.296 --> 00:15:27.236
You'll get access to the
phenotype assessment.

00:15:27.236 --> 00:15:29.276
Genetic testing for
medical conditions.

00:15:29.786 --> 00:15:31.416
And the canine selection
tool as well.

00:15:31.416 --> 00:15:34.286
Also, they'll be participants
of the consortium who can tote

00:15:34.286 --> 00:15:36.506
that as part of their
repertoire as a breeder.

00:15:36.946 --> 00:15:39.376
And expanding, diversifying
their breeding pool.

00:15:39.376 --> 00:15:41.356
And access to really
high-quality dogs.

00:15:41.926 --> 00:15:44.116
So along with this
I do want to note

00:15:44.116 --> 00:15:46.576
that there is an
APL/RFP supported

00:15:46.576 --> 00:15:49.126
by S&T that's coming
out mid-December.

00:15:49.236 --> 00:15:52.476
So anybody who's interested
in potentially participating

00:15:52.476 --> 00:15:54.996
in the consortium, we'd love
to meet and you talk with you.

00:15:54.996 --> 00:15:56.386
And get you some
more information.

00:15:56.696 --> 00:15:59.246
Mike House, David Deglau,
myself will be at the tables.

00:15:59.286 --> 00:16:01.426
And so please come
up and chat with us.

00:16:01.606 --> 00:16:03.236
We look forward to
talking with you more.

00:16:03.616 --> 00:16:04.976
Thank you so much for your time.

00:16:05.016 --> 00:16:07.016
[ Applause ]

00:16:07.516 --> 00:16:22.050
[ Music ]