Canine Training Workshop Overview
HME Familiarization and Generalization Workshop
Workshop Description: This workshop is designed for explosives detection canine teams seeking to enhance odor recognition and generalization capabilities related to Homemade Explosive (HME) threats. Canine teams will be exposed to a wide range of target materials and different environments commonly encountered operationally.
The curriculum emphasizes the development of robust handler understanding of HMEs, their odors, and recent events with the goal of increasing canine generalization and canine team vigilance. Training scenarios will simulate real-world deployments, including indoor, outdoor, and vehicle searches. Trainers will be present to reinforce handler proficiency and improve search patterns and canine behavior interpretation.
This workshop is suitable for all U.S. law enforcement, government, and military detection canine teams. For private company or contract personnel, please contact the ALM Detection Sciences team at Melissa@almkinetic.com.
There is an option to audit the workshop without a canine.
Workshop Fee
$1500/team
$800/workshop audit
What Sets Our Classes Apart
01 / Hands on Experience
Training happens in realistic, hands-on scenarios. Handlers and canines work through live HME detection exercises designed to mirror real-world operational conditions, building the muscle memory and confidence that only comes from repetition in the field.
02 / Expert Facilitation
Training materials and Subject Matter Expertise (SME) are otherwise hard to come by. We connect handlers with a network of instructors and industry leaders advancing the field together.
03 / HME-Focused Curriculum
Purpose-built to address Homemade Explosive threats, not generic detection scenarios. Teams train specifically on the odor generalization challenges most relevant to today's operational landscape.
04/ Access and Collaboration
Every course is led by instructors with deep operational experience in explosives detection. Our facilitators bring current, evidence-based methodology into the classroom, translating research into practical techniques handlers can apply immediately.
Workshop Schedule
Day 1*
November 3, 2026
Loudon County, VA
The workshop will include a classroom section and a clandestine lab demonstration, concluding with searches. The classroom section will include the following instructors and topics. Following the classroom, canine searches of a residence with a clandestine lab will take place.
· Dr. Alison Gai Simon and/or Melissa Candelaria – HME Familiarization
· Kelly van Arsdale – Recent Events
· Canine Trainers — Josh Araujo: Training for Detection Threshold and Depth
Jakub Holmes — Training for Mixtures and Manufacturers
· Dr. Alison Gai Simon – Smell and Tell
Day 2*
November 4, 2026
Loudon County, VA
Days 2 and 3 will consist of a series of canine team searches of various venues for homemade explosives with an emphasis on peroxide-based and binary explosives.
Day 3*
November 5, 2026
Loudon County, VA
*Schedule is subject to change based on venue availability
Days 2 and 3 will consist of a series of canine team searches of various venues for homemade explosives with an emphasis on peroxide-based and binary explosives.
