3DK9 LLC

National Science Foundation Award

2024-10-21

ALACHUA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Canaery, the neurotech company revolutionizing the detection of important scents in real-world settings, today announced it has secured $650,000 in Phase 1 funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator leading an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers and operators. Teams that successfully complete Phase 1 may qualify for up to $5 million in Phase 2 funding.

The NSF Convergence Accelerator prioritizes projects with potential for positive societal and economic impact. The Canaery-led Phase 1 project, aligned under the program’s Track L: Real-World Chemical Sensing Applications, aims to create a safe fentanyl substitute for training scent detection animals, refine the Canaery nose-computer interface (NCI) system, and validate the system’s ability to detect fentanyl and smokeless gunpowder in real-world scenarios.

“For Phase 1 of the NSF Convergence Accelerator program we have assembled an expert team to demonstrate multiple simultaneous detections of critical odors in real world environments,” said Peter Ledochowitsch, PhD, CTO and co-founder, Canaery. “The two most common uses of a detection canine today are for narcotics and explosives, new versions of which are constantly being developed. Fentanyl and smokeless powder will be two of the first entries into what will one day become the largest networked library of detectable odors in the world.”

Alongside Ledochowitsch as principal investigator (PI), the collaboration’s leadership includes:

Dmitry Rinberg, PhD, professor of neuroscience, NYU Langone Health
Lauryn DeGreeff, PhD, professor of forensic chemistry, Florida International University
Travis Massey, PhD, implantable microsystems engineer, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Cedric Williams, PhD, professor of behavioral neuroscience, University of Virginia
Frank Cilurso, co-founder, 3DK9

Smokeless gunpowder is one of the most widely used combustive propellants in the world. It can be found in nearly every type of small arms ammunition and artillery shell, as well as many improvised explosive devices, such as pipe bombs. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid driving an epidemic of accidental overdoses worldwide. It is extremely toxic, and hazardous even in small quantities, posing a particularly high risk to first-responders and detection K9 units.

Conventional detection canines are considered the gold standard for real-world scent detection, but require frequent retraining and are limited to detecting a single class of odors, for example, narcotics or explosives, but not both. At the same time, human-made detector machines are not expected to approach the capabilities of a trained detection animal for at least several decades.

By combining an animal’s natural sense of smell with advanced neurotechnology and artificial intelligence, Canaery will provide law enforcement, security and defense organizations with the unparalleled speed and accuracy of conventional detection dogs alongside the objectivity and precision measurement of human-made detectors and laboratory-grade sensors.

3DK9 Weapon K9 Deployed in Schools

2024-10-21

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Dogs trained to detect bombs and guns are set to sniff out students at Deerfield and Highland Park high schools after the Township High School District 113 Board on Monday approved a contract for canine detection services.

Brian Ahmer, the district's chief operations officer, told board members that dogs hired by the district will not be on campus until January.

"These take time, so it would be a projection of second semester," Ahmer said ahead of the vote. "The first day of second semester is the most likely time we would move forward with this service. It gives us the proper time to roll it out, gives us the proper time to train the canines."

Administrators ran a pilot program during summer school at Deerfield High School with a single dog, and district officials described it as a success.

They emphasized the dogs on campus are specifically trained not to attack or otherwise interact with people other than their handlers while working to detect things.

"The K9 team consists of a certified handler who partners with a certified, specially trained dog to work in the school environment. The dog is trained to detect the scent of firearms and explosives, and will discreetly notify the handler in the event of a suspicious odor," Ahmer said in a statement ahead of the pilot program, which was then reiterated word-for-word Tuesday by Superintendent Chala Holland in a message to the community.

According to the contract approved Monday — at a meeting whose agenda described it as a "committee of the whole" meeting even though it was, in fact, a regular action meeting — District 113 will hire two teams for every day students are in school in Highland Park or Deerfield.

"Canine detection services will include monitoring and sweeping student entry into the campus, PE locker rooms, the quad during brunches, student parking lots, and other areas as directed by [District 113 administrators]," according to the contract.

"All canines will be single purpose for explosive/weapon detection only," it said. "There should be no aggression/bite work introduced to these detection canines."

The contract approved Monday runs through the end of June 2025, with an optional one year-extension and maximum cost increase of 5 percent.

Last April, a student brought a gun to Highland Park High School, leading to a nearly two-hour lockdown of the campus — nine months to the day after a HPHS dropout allegedly shot nearly 50 people, seven fatally, at the 2022 Independence Day parade.

That prompted a push for increased security, with some parents urging the school board to implement metal detectorson campus.

Three days before the 2023-24 school year was to start, a 16-year-old HPHS student allegedly shot and killed Omar Diaz, of Highwood, a fellow 16-year-old HPHS student, on Green Bay Road within a few yards of the high school's campus. Estiven Sarminento is awaiting trial on charges of first-degree murder in Diaz's slaying.

In the wake of the off-campus shooting, District 113 administrators implemented a weapons detection system earlier than planned after the shooting, though some parents said students were able to easily evade it.

According to a staff memo from this week's meeting, district officials have made a series of security improvements in the past two years.

They include visitor weapons detections systems at main entrances for visitors and late students, more card readers, better security cameras, emergency communication devices for substitute teachers, "restorative centers" at each campus and curriculum changes.

"[W]e regularly consult with security experts and law enforcement, evaluate our security practices and protocols," Holland said, "as well as examine emerging technologies to determine what changes we can make to our multi-layered approach to keep our students and staff safe."

Source: https://patch.com/illinois/highlandpark/dogs-patrol-hphs-dhs-sniff-out-guns-explosives

K9 Dogs Can Help Schools Detect and Deter Vaping on Campus

2020-10-30

E-cigarette use among children and teens is exploding, much to the alarm of parents, school officials, and others who work with students in all secondary grades. Recent studies have found that one in 10 high schoolers vapes; other studies show that exposure to nicotine during the formative teen and pre-teen years can cause long-term damage and potentially lead to addiction.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov) lists a variety of potential dangers to children from vaping. It says e-cigarette aerosol is not harmless “water vapor” and that the e-cigarette aerosol that users breathe from the device and exhale can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including: nicotine, ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, chemical flavorings linked to a serious lung disease, volatile organic compounds, cancer-causing chemicals, and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.

In addition, a new study by Stanford University indicates that students who are users of nicotine and so-called vape pens are seven times more likely to contract Covid-19.

These alarming statistics are prompting schools, teachers, and administrators to identify and implement additional measures against vaping and vape pens within school property. 3DK9 uses friendly, highly trained detection dogs to safely and effectively locate, and thus prevent, the use of narcotics and vape pens in schools.

“Schools have been blindsided by the skyrocketing popularity of e-cigarette use among students,” said Mark Chmielinski, president of 3DK9 Detection Services. “There are so many styles of vaping devices and their sweet aromas make them difficult for school officials to detect.”

He added, “Using consistent school safety sweeps, our handlers and nicotine-sniffing dogs will blanket entire campuses including lockers, classrooms, school buses and surrounding grounds. We can conduct searches during or after school and at school events. And we can work with schools of all sizes.”

Using private-service drug dogs for nicotine detection has two benefits:

It deters vaping. K9 programs are highly effective at identifying illegal and prohibited substances. Just having drug- and nicotine-sniffing detection dogs on campus sends a clear signal that an effective detection program is under way. This helps students, teachers and others who enter a school building to know there is nowhere for prohibited substances to hide.
It reassures parents. Parents may feel powerless to ensure their children’s safety once they leave home and head off to school. Using a K9 program with highly trained nicotine detection dogs to sniff out vaping helps parents trust that their children will be protected from vaping use and possession while they are at school.

It’s important to know that K9 detection using trained sniffer dogs involves more than just illegal substances. Nicotine is a legal substance for adults, of course, but illegal and prohibited for minors.

“The advantage of using a private service such as 3DK9 instead of the police is that our drug dogs can detect both illegal and legal substances that are commonly abused,” Chmielinski said. “Police dogs can only sniff out illegal substances like cocaine. Our drug dogs can be imprinted to sniff out nicotine and vaping materials, in all their variety of flavors and aromas.”

Parents and schools need to be even more vigilant as more and more harmful substances threaten the health and safety of our children. It’s not just alcohol – the list of dangerous substances keeps growing. 3DK9 Detection Services takes pride in staying up to date on the latest threats, training its sniffer dogs and handlers to detect new substances such as e-cigarettes and vapes. 3DK9 Detection Services is your trusted partner in the fight against illegal and prohibited substances that put our children at risk. Don’t take chances with your children and students. Call us today for a free consultation!

K9 Detection Services Is More Than Sniffing Out Drugs

2020-11-16

Think of a drug-sniffing dog, and two images probably come to mind: a bloodhound tracking an escaped convict or a missing person, and a drug dog zeroing in on the scent of narcotics.

Narcotics detection using drug dogs is a common service at 3DK9 Detection Services, but it’s just one of a variety of K9 services designed to detect, defend and deter.

Bomb Detection: A bomb may seem complicated, but it’s really not. Instructions for building bombs are widely available on the internet, and they can be constructed using common, everyday items including plastic food storage containers, fuses, and sharp projectiles like nails. Yet, the scent of these common ingredients is distinctive, and bomb-sniffing dogs are trained to detect them and pinpoint their source. In so doing, highly trained bomb detection dogs are a first line of defense against a potentially catastrophic explosion at a crowded event or populated place.

Contraband and Cell Phone Detection: Contraband is a word associated with crime and punishment – contraband is confiscated from criminals upon arrest and prohibited in correctional centers and prisons. We typically think of contraband as illegal drugs and weapons, and indeed those are common forms of contraband. But contraband can be any banned substance. Alcohol and cigarettes may be banned along with drugs at schools. In some settings, cell phones can be considered contraband because criminals use cell phones to organize illegal operations and set off explosives. As with other types of scent detection, dogs can be trained to identify and locate common forms of contraband, increasing safety and security for everyone gathered in a building or at an event, and helping to enforce established rules of order.

When working in residential settings and certain commercial buildings, our trained detection dogs can even sniff out bedbugs! This is interesting – wouldn’t mind having more info here if client approves

Dogs can do more than sniff out danger, though. At 3DK9 Detection Services, we work with clients with physical security needs. For example, some companies and workplaces are at risk of coordinated attack and thus need high levels of security; high-profile individuals can require personal protection or a security detail. Trained guard dogs can be an appropriate and effective means of providing protection.

Trained guard dogs can detect danger due to their sharp sense of smell, sight and hearing. They can deter potential threats merely by their presence. And, when necessary, they are capable of defending people and facilities through physical intimidation and force.

Our highly trained dog detection team is a skilled force of K9 service dogs that undergo rigorous training to acquire and maintain their skills. We train our detection and guard dogs regularly and in different ways to ensure they provide accurate and precise services, working with them in both standard drills and in real-life scenarios. These authentic experiences ensure that our dogs won’t be distracted during an active detection scenario. The continual training also allows the teams to maintain an outstanding relationship between the dog and the K9 handler. Our teams have many years of experience working with trained K9 and service dogs, as well as extensive military, law enforcement and event security experience.

Our trained guard and detection dogs have worked in a variety of settings, including schools, event venues, private residences, businesses, prisons and correctional centers, and airports and transportation hubs. No matter where you need protection, our K9 team is ready to fly anywhere within the United States to assist. While on the job, we cooperate with local law enforcement, on-site security staff, transportation officials and protective details to ensure a safe environment and make sure all our services comply with local, state and national laws. You can rest assured that our services will provide you with the highest quality of safety and protection possible.

For every client, every situation, and every need, we take safety and security very seriously. We consult with every client to determine the nature of the threat and to devise the best protective response. Security needs are varied, and at 3DK9 Detection Services, we pride ourselves on providing customized, individualized security solutions using specially trained drug-sniffing dogs, bomb-sniffing dogs, and guard dogs. Whether you’re protecting yourself, your home, your business, or a large gathering place or venue, we can help you put together a plan to detect, defend and deter. Contact 3DK9 Detection Services today to discuss the right K9 security options for you!

What Breeds Make the Best Drug Dogs

2020-10-28

When you think of a drug dog, what kind do you picture?

For many, the stereotypical image is of a “police dog,” or German Shepherd Dog – and that is a common breed used by law enforcement and private detection companies as drug- and bomb-sniffing dogs. But other breeds are similarly well-suited to the task of sniffing out drugs, weapons and other contraband.

At 3DK9 Detection Services, drug dogs typically come from breeds within the sporting and working dog groups. Dogs in these breeding classes tend to be bred to hunt or herd and thus have a personality geared toward service – animals willing and eager to perform practical tasks as opposed to only serving as a pet or companion animal. The six breeds that 3DK9 Protection Services most commonly uses as drug dogs are:

Border Collie. This smaller breed was developed in England's Scottish-bordering county of Northumberland for herding livestock, especially sheep. Considered highly intelligent, extremely energetic, acrobatic and athletic, they frequently compete with great success in sheepdog trials and dog sports.

German Shepherd Dog. The typical breed associated with law enforcement work, this medium- to large-sized working dog originated in Germany. In the English language, the breed's officially recognized name is German Shepherd Dog. This breed tends to be initially aloof and reserved but can grow to be extremely loyal to their families or handlers. When threatened, they can be strong and protective, making them excellent watchdogs.

Czech Shepherds. The Czech Shepherd is a line of German Shepherd Dog. After World War II, Czechoslovakia shared a border with East Germany, and dogs were bred in relative isolation that was restricted to the border stations along that boundary. Originally bred to be tough dogs capable of catching criminals, they are loyal, energetic, smart, and generally eager to do many different jobs.

Belgian Malinois. The Malinois is a medium-to-large breed of dog, sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd dog rather than as a separate breed. The name Malinois is derived from Malines, the French name for the breed's Flemish city of origin, Mechelen. The Belgian Malinois is a very smart and obedient dog, with strong protective and territorial instincts.

German Shorthair Pointer. This medium- to large-sized breed was developed in the 19th century in Germany. A versatile hunter, the German Shorthair Pointer is an all-purpose gun dog capable of high performance in field and water. It’s intelligent, bold, boisterous, eccentric, cooperative and easily trained.

The Labrador Retriever. Commonly called Labrador or Lab, this breed is a medium-large retriever-gun dog. The Labrador is the most popular breed of dog in many countries around the world. It is friendly, outgoing, high-spirited, intelligent, patient, and energetic.

“The common trait of all these dogs is the length of their snout,” said Mark Chmielinski, president of 3DK9 Detection Services. As you might imagine, a long snout contains more smelling receptors that help drug dogs zero in on the specific scents that have been imprinted on them.

A somewhat surprising breed that has proved to be an effective drug dog is the Doberman Pinscher. This muscular, medium-large breed, also called the Dobermann after Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector from Germany who first developed the breed around 1890, also has a long snout and what Chmielinski calls “drive” or “inner motivation.”

Because these common breeds used for drug dogs also are popular family pets, 3DK9 Detection Services carefully considers the breeding line and parentage. “Society has bred the ‘drive’ out of a lot of these dogs,” said. Chmielinski said. “We look for the pedigree. Are they coming from working lines?”

He added, “I don’t care if the dog is a mutt. If it’s a working line male and a working line bitch, there’s a very good chance there’s an innate, inherent ability that’s going to come through the line.”

Another thing that sets 3DK9 Detection Services apart is the ability to match clients with the appropriate “look” of drug dog. For example: German Shepherd Dogs and Doberman Pinschers have a more “intimidating” and powerful look than do Border Collies and Labradors. Depending on the individual circumstance, one or the other “look” may be preferred for a drug dog that will be working in a particular situation.

“That’s the key to our company,” Chmielinski said. “We can deliver any type of drug dog you want, if requested.”

3DK9 Detection Services take safety and security very seriously for every client. We will consult with you to determine the specific circumstances and to devise the best detection response. Security needs are varied, and at 3DK9 Detection Services, we pride ourselves on providing customized, individualized security solutions using specially trained drug dogs. Whether you’re protecting your home, your business, an educational facility, or a treatment center, we can help you put together a plan to detect, defend and deter. Contact 3DK9 Detection Services today to discuss the right K9 security options for you!

What Kind of Drugs Can a Drug Dog Detect?

2020-09-28

Maybe you’re concerned a family member could be abusing drugs. Perhaps you’re in charge of a school, and you suspect drug trafficking on campus. Or you run a youth facility or sober home for rehabilitating addicts, with zero tolerance toward drugs or chemical substances of any sort.

What do you do? Who do you call?

“The advantage of using a private service instead of the police is that our drug dogs can detect both illegal and legal substances that are commonly abused,” said Mark Chmielinski, president of 3DK9 Detection Services. “Police dogs can only sniff out illegal substances. Our drug dogs can be imprinted to sniff out anything.”

The list of what 3DK9 Detection Services drug dogs can detect is long – and getting longer. Currently, the company’s drug dogs can detect the following:

Marijuana – The most commonly abused illicit substance.?
Heroin – A highly addictive analgesic drug derived from morphine, used to produce euphoria.
Cocaine – Also known as coke, a strong stimulant most frequently used as a recreational drug. It is commonly snorted, inhaled as smoke, or dissolved and injected into a vein. Mental effects may include loss of contact with reality, an intense feeling of happiness, or agitation.
Crystal meth – A stimulant classified as a controlled substance. It can treat ADHD and can also help obese patients lose weight, but it is often misused.
MDMA – Also known as “Molly” or “Ecstasy,” the official name is 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It is a psychoactive drug primarily used for recreational purposes. The desired effects include altered sensations, increased energy, and pleasure.
Xanax – A type of benzodiazepine, or central nervous system (CNS) depressant. It is legal and often prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax comes with a high potential for addiction, even when taken as prescribed, because tolerance to benzodiazepines occurs quickly.
Adderall – Another legal drug used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It is also used as an athletic performance enhancer, cognitive enhancer, appetite suppressant, and recreationally as an aphrodisiac and euphoriant.
Opioids – A class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription.
Opiates – Highly addictive substances derived from opium such as morphine and Dilaudid.?
Bath salts – This is a group of recreational designer drugs. The name derives from instances in which the drugs were disguised as bath salts. The white powder, granules, or crystals often resemble Epsom salts, but differ chemically.? Seconal (secobarbital) – A barbiturate hypnotic that calms patients before surgery and prescribed for insomnia.
K2 – A synthetic cannabinoid also known as Spice.
Fentanyl – A powerful synthetic opioid analgesic similar to morphine.
Kratom – A tea derived from a tropical tree (Mitragyna speciosa) native to Southeast Asia, with leaves that contain compounds that can have psychotropic (mind-altering) effects.

Police agencies are limited to detecting illegal substances, Chmielinski said. “A police dog can’t be imprinted on Xanax because Xanax is legal with a prescription,” he said. “We offer a wider range of services to our clients. It’s your property – you can do whatever you want to do on your property. I can imprint my dog on any substance our clients are concerned about.”

For example, he said, “Dogs can imprint on nicotine. It’s legal, of course. But some businesses don’t want smoking. We can help with that.”

Kratom is another legal substance. “It’s a tea – you heat up water and mix it and drink it,” Chmielinski said. “But if you ingest enough of the powder it gives you the same high as heroin. So, if you run a drug rehab facility, a jail or a sober home, it’s absolutely banned. And you may not want it around your family.”

3DK9 Detection Services takes pride in listening to customers and keeping up with trends, continually training their drug dogs to sniff out more substances. “We keep adding odors as we see a need,” Chmielinski said. “The next odor I’m putting my drug dogs on is formaldehyde. The street name for it is ‘wet.’ You dip it in cigarettes and smoke it. If a high school student is smoking wet, the police won’t come. It’s not illegal and their dogs can’t find it.”

At 3DK9 Detection Services, we take pride in helping our clients provide a safe environment for their families, employees, students, residents, and customers. We work with our clients individually to develop customized solutions using highly trained drug dogs. We can help you put together a detection plan!

Contact 3DK9 Detection Services today to discuss the right K9 security options for you.

How Trained Protection Dogs Promote Security

2020-09-16

Trained protection dogs promote security in two ways – by using their ability to detect scents, and by physical intimidation and force.

First, scent detection. Everything has a smell. Some are obvious and can be detected by many living things – the smell of fresh food, for example, is almost universally recognized by living creatures in search of sustenance. Other odors can’t be detected by humans but are detectable by dogs. Because of their keen sense of smell and ability to discern a particular smell from among many scents, detection dogs are a potent weapon in the fight against illicit drugs, explosive devices and smuggled contraband because they can be trained to pick out the distinctive odors of these items.

Dogs can be trained to detect a variety of scents and substances:

Narcotics
Bombs
Contraband
Cell Phones

Narcotics

detection is important because people who abuse drugs put themselves and others at risk. That’s because misused substances can impact reasoning ability, reduce or remove inhibitions, reduce the ability to react to surroundings and circumstances, and cause confusion and disorientation. All these reactions to substances can put the drug abuser, and those around them, in potentially dangerous situations. Narcotics trafficking also is a focal point for criminal activity, as all drug abusers must access the trafficking network to maintain their supplies. Narcotic sniffing dogs help to identify drug abusers who can then be directed into rehab or the justice system, removing the threat of harm to innocents and putting the abuser on a path to recovery and improved health.

Bomb

detection dogs offer the same security with respect to explosive devices, helping to keep large buildings, workplaces and crowded event venues free from a disruptive, dangerous detonation. Bomb sniffing dogs are one of the most common tools used in ensuring safety and security at airports and other transportation hubs, concert and sports arenas, hotel and convention centers and even outdoor areas like those used for festivals.

Many people aren’t aware that dogs can be trained to detect various forms of contraband. What is contraband? You might think in terms of a prison or other secure facility, where narcotics and anything adaptable as a weapon would naturally be banned. But contraband comes in many forms. Schools, workplaces and event venues may additionally ban alcohol, guns, and knives. In certain settings, cell phones are considered contraband, as they are commonly used by criminals to organize illegal activity and detonate bombs. As with bombs and narcotics, detection dogs are readily trained to sniff out these banned substances, increasing safety and security throughout the targeted facility.

The second major component of K9 security services is physical protection. Dogs can be trained to guard and defend people or property. In these instances, the dog is coached to remain calm and composed until a danger is detected. In threatening situations, they will respond as trained with intimidation (such as growling) and, if necessary, a physical response.

At 3DK9 Detection Services, we offer both discreet as well as overt protection services. In many cases, just the presence of a trained guard dog is enough to deter individuals intent on doing harm or engaging in illegal activity. In addition, trained guard dogs can alleviate an innocent individual’s anxiety while still delivering precise and skillful protective services. And, when working at a large facility or venue, our K9 dog and handler teams coordinate with local law enforcement and comply with all applicable laws, offering clients seamless service and protective coverage.

Who Can Benefit from K9 Detection Services?

Our services are suitable and adaptable to a variety of needs:

Individuals and residential
Business, corporate buildings and workplaces
Schools
Government facilities
Events and event venues
Prisons and correctional centers
Airports, train stations and other transportation hubs

Security needs are varied, and at 3DK9 Detection Services, we pride ourselves on providing customized, individualized security solutions. Whether you’re protecting yourself, your home, your business, or a large gathering place or venue, we can help you put together a plan to detect, defend and deter. Call 3DK9 Detection Services today at 855-561-3647 to discuss the right K9 security options for you.