12-01-2012

• Wood & Douglas bring PAWS to Mullenscote New Year's Day Open Scurry Challenge
• Trainers and fans get high tech dogs eye view of course for first time 

While more than 150 dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds competed at this New Year’s Day Open Scurry Challenge at the Lains Shooting School and Mullenscote Dog Training Centre near Andover, Hampshire, only one, equipped with the latest canine search and rescue technology was able to provide visitors with a dog’s eye view of the course.

Scurry Challenge sponsor Wood & Douglas, which specialises in hi tech wireless system design and development, gave the first public display of its P. A. W. S. (Portable All-terrain Wireless System) which has been specially developed for canine search. Beaming live colour video from one willing Mullenscote canine volunteer to a big screen display, P.A.W.S., gave visitors a unique view of the main arena and other scurries.

For working dogs, P.A.W.S. enables handlers to safely monitor the work of search dogs and gain important live video footage from places that humans would find either difficult or dangerous to reach. Whether searching for contraband, supporting military, or rescuing victims of natural disaster P.A.W.S enables rapid decision making which can save lives.

“Not that anyone was in any danger at the Scurry,” assures Andrew Wood, Sales Consultant at Wood & Douglas, and graduate of the Mullenscote Dog Training Centre. “It proved to be a tremendous exhibition of ability from handlers and gundogs alike, but even the most experienced where amazed at what can now be achieved through technology and good dog training.”

“It was certainly an eye opener,” says Howard Kirby, Owner, Lains Shooting School & Mullenscote Dog Training Centre. “Our dog quickly adapted to the special harness, and then he was off a running. Seeing the video coming from the dog to the screen was increadibly interesting and got many thinking about how this amazing technology could be used with a trained dog.”

Despite the technology on show, Ollie, currently the fastest dog in the South with Ian Brothers, avoided the distraction and took first place in the open Main Arena challenge. Sandra Mead with Purdy took the Novice crown. 

The full results of the Wood & Douglas Main Arena Challenge were:

Novice

1^st         Sandra Mead with Purdy

2^nd        Peter Martin with Paris

3^rd         Jim Porter with Casey

Open

1^st         Ian Brothers with Ollie

2^nd        Roland Ward with Barney

3^rd         Brian Chesser with Barley

Lains Shooting School and Mullenscote Dog Training Centre

For further information visit: http://www.lainsshootingschool.co.uk/ or http://www.mullenscote.co.uk/