We spent nearly a year and a half without a webmaster. After losing the hosting company webmaster,
ASCT had to manage on our own and with many thanks to our organizational president our website remained up and operating.
But regular updates were virtually impossible due to the volume of work involved and an already swamped schedule for those
on the certification board. And now...we have our new webmaster, Jen Jacobs, and she
understands what it is we are doing, we we are headed, and how we operate.
ASCT has
had some happenings in the past months...here is a brief overview to catch you up.
1. ASCT completed our research projects with two universities in the
areas of Narcotic Gas Function and Human Biological Scent Production. The research was conducted in the Fall of 2009
and reports were in by mid-January 2010. ASCT did not delay! Knowing the research would prove very solid - the
certification board decided to approve two classes: Technical Narcotics and Technical Tracking. These new
classes updated previously taught programs of the same name. As expected, the research was outstanding and the new truth
of science has revealed itself again. The new classes have been added to the Advanced Operations class schedule
for 2010 and have already received much praise.
2.
ASCT successfully implemented new protocol for trainers. Trainers and candidates for trainer certification must
test out of specific classes in order to qualify. The six classes assure that the trainer is exacting in knowledge
and has the ability to share that knowledge. The organization has now changed it's overall
objective to once again tighten the belt of K9. We are keeping ourselves elite by adjusting criteria for handlers
and trainers to continue to make the organization prime in it's function and further strengthen the education and production
of certified individuals.
3. The website
will begin offering shirts for sale. There will be several selections available and the process is currently underway.
Hopefully, within a month or two, we will have the store function up and running with stocked shirts available.
4. ASCT will begin to implement a SOF Testing standard during the
year. This standard will replace the current system for basic handling class written tests.
5. We will also implement a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) standard during
2010. Stay tuned and if you're not in shape - get there.
6. The 2010 edition of the Basic Handling Manual is almost complete. It should be available soon.
Keep working - Keep training -
Mike West
Certification Director
