Top Tier K-9, training dogs to smell COVID-19

Puppies from around the world are brought into this facility to go through an intense 12-week foundation class.

Each dog is trained on 50 things that roll up into four functions: police, military, service and protection. Minder says that once a dog has graduated from the foundations course, they go to finishing school, where the dog learns the specifics of what they are needed for.

Top Tier K-9 also offers the opportunity to become a certified trainer. The program is about a year long

“We put a lot of work into these guys and a lot of emotions. You watch them grow from when they were babies and the day they leave, it’s bittersweet you cry a little,” says Alyssa Browning a former student who now works at Top Tier K-9.

Travis Lloyd, a current student, is almost done with his training.

Lloyd was originally introduced to Top Tier K-9 when he received a service dog for himself, after serving eight years in Afghanistan.

“My service animal gives me a sense of confidence and allows me to let my guard down where I haven’t been able to in the past,” said Lloyd.

“If I could just train one dog a year, and just help one person with a dog like mine it, would be worth it,” Lloyd added.

There is currently around an eight-month wait for a fully trained dog from Top Tier K-9.

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