Old Dominion K-9 and Summer County Emergency Management Seminar

The Old Dominion K-9 and Sumner County Emergency Management Seminar, organized by Old Dominion SAR, takes place at the Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center in Prospect, Virginia. This seminar is designed for K9 handlers, with a unique format that allows only one K9 per handler to be worked in attendance. The camp spans 23,000 acres of adjoining forestland, providing a variety of environments for training, including rural, urban, wilderness, and water areas.

The facilities include a conference room, amphitheater, and cafeteria that cater to classroom training sessions. The seminar also features a special guest speaker on Monday evening, with details yet to be announced.

An exciting auction is scheduled for Wednesday evening, with all proceeds aimed at covering instructor expenses and supporting the seminar's logistical costs. This initiative helps to keep registration fees manageable for participants in the following years. Attendees are encouraged to bring unique auction items to contribute, enhancing the community spirit of the event.

Alongside the auction, there will be opportunities to purchase seminar-themed merchandise such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats. Participants are also invited to contribute their agency or organization’s patch to a quilt that symbolizes the seminar community. The auction and merchandise purchases will require payment in cash, check, or money order due to the remote location's limited Wi-Fi connectivity.

A significant highlight of the seminar is the award ceremony held on Thursday evening, where participants' hard work and dedication with their K9 partners are celebrated. This occasion includes a steak dinner, during which the winners of the prestigious Gilman Award and the Ronnie Venable Scholarship are announced. The seminar's roots trace back to 1986 when Garland Gilman founded it to honor his close friends and mentors in the K9 field.

The seminar has evolved into a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences among handlers, aiming to challenge both new and seasoned participants. The commitment to fostering skills and networking opportunities continues to be a hallmark of the seminar, ensuring that Garland's vision of a collaborative and educational environment for K9 handlers remains vibrant and thriving.

Overall, the Old Dominion K9 Seminar is recognized as a fun and enriching experience, dedicated to the growth of its participants and the K9 community.