National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC®

Official NACSW™ 

ODOR RECOGNITION TESTS

Odors Tested: Birch, Anise, Clove

Date: Sunday, December 3, 2023

Test Site Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm

Test Location: Torbel’s Canine Connection

1240 Larry Power Road

Bourbonnais, IL 60914

Test Host: Torbel’s Canine Connection  
 

Test Secretary: Yolanda Belluso torbelsk9@yahoo.com

Certifying Official: Lisa Godfrey

Judge: Yolanda Belluso

Entry Cost:  $30 per odor tested

Number of Entries:  30 - 75 

ORT ENTRY INFORMATION 

Opening Date: Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 8:00am CDT 

Entries Close: Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 5:00pm CST or When entry limits have been met.  Entry limit has been met. This ORT is full.    To be placed on the waitlist 

Email torbelsk9@yahoo.com    Subject line WAITLIST.

Second Dog Policy: One dog per handler for each odor tested. 

Entry Method

First received via online entry with payment through PayPal. PayPal has an option that allows you to pay with a credit or debit card without a PayPal account.

● Telephone, Fax, Unsigned Entries, And Entries Received Without Fees Cannot Be Accepted.

● Entries Must Be Made using the entry link on the Torbel’s Canine Connection website.

● No Entry Shall Be Made And No Entry Shall Be Accepted, Which Specifies Any Conditions As To Its Acceptance.  

● Owners Are Responsible For Errors In Making Out Entry Forms.

ENTRY LINK.   ORT is full. 

To be placed on the waitlist 

Email torbelsk9@yahoo.com    Subject line WAITLIST.

Entry Requirements

A Qualified Entry is one that meets all the following criteria:

1. Complete entry during the specified entry time frame.

2. The Handler is a NACSW member for the 2023-2024 membership year (8/1/23- 7/31/24). 

3. The Dog is registered with the NACSW.

4. Dogs participating in an Odor Recognition Test (ORT) must be at least six months of age.

For information on how to register or become a member go to www.NACSW.net

Trial Eligibility and ORTs

The ORT Title must be earned at least 14 days before a trial opening date to be eligible for the first draw period.

All odors must be passed in order to earn the ORT title. It is not required that they all be passed at the same test.
 

Notification

Acknowledgement of entry acceptance/confirmation will be made by email when entries are processed. 

Basic Description of the Test

To successfully pass an ORT a dog must identify the location of the target odor and the handler must correctly call an “alert” within a three-minute time period. The Odor Recognition Test consists of a drill type exercise which requires 12 closed boxes typically set up in a pattern of two rows, spaced a minimum of 48” apart. The ORT is conducted on leash. Complete information can be obtained on the NACSW website. Handlers may test on all 3 odors at the same event.

All exhibitors should obtain and review a copy of the NACSW K9 NOSE WORK® RULE BOOK. You may get it from their website: www.NACSW.net 

No dog will be given more than one space in the same odor test at a single event.

CANCELLATION POLICY

The following cancellation policy applies: 

For cancellation of entries on or before 5:00pm CST November 19, 2023 – Full refund minus a $10 processing fee. For cancellation of entries after 5:00pm CST November 19, 2023 – no refunds will be issued.     

All cancellations must be emailed to Yolanda Belluso. torbelsk9@yahoo.com 

Entry fees shall not be refunded if a dog or handler is absent, disqualified, or excused by the NACSW official or judge.

This cancellation and refund policy applies to handlers that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons.

If the event cannot take place or be completed by reason of fire, civil disturbances, an Act of God, public emergency, or any other cause beyond the control of the event organizers, then the event host will make their best effort to provide partial refunds after recouping their expenses. 

LOCATION DETAILS

Modeled after real-life detection work, NACSW events are held in many different locations, with a variety of terrain, under varying weather conditions. Dogs and handlers need to be able to safely negotiate a variety of surfaces, including, but not limited to, tile, linoleum, carpeting, gravel, asphalt, uneven surfaces, and slippery footing. Handlers should be prepared to deal with a variety of weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain and snow. Events frequently require covering extensive distances to get to and from the parking area to each of the search areas and generally require that this be done across natural, uneven surfaces. Handlers should be prepared for the physical demands and must be able to navigate the terrain with their dog accordingly. Handlers should expect to spend most of the day outside or in their vehicles as there are rarely indoor crating options at events. Please be prepared for you and your canine partner to deal with all of these varying environmental challenges. Handlers should familiarize themselves with potential regional risks and health concerns that may affect themselves or their dogs.  Handlers agree that they are entering this event at their own risk. 

ADA Site Specific Conditions

The ORT will be indoors on a matted floor at a dog training facility. The facility is located in a strip mall near railroad tracks. There is a sidewalk directly in front of the facility that has a ramp option.

The walk to the facility entrance is relatively short. The walk back to the parking area is a bit longer since you will exit from the rear of the facility back to the parking lot.

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, these conditions may be modified at the last minute.

Parking

The parking lot is paved with no shade available.

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute.

RV Parking

The parking lot is shared with other businesses. RV parking is not available.

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute.

Running your vehicles or generators in the parking lot is allowed at this event as long as you have permission from your neighbors or are willing to park away from others.

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute.

Reactive Dog Parking

There will be reactive dog parking at this event for those who wish to park in this area.  

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute.

Unentered Dogs

Unentered dogs must remain in the handler’s vehicle during the event day. There will be ample potty areas, but unentered dogs should not be allowed to “play”, exercise, or train on the event grounds.

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute.

Crating Options

No indoor crating will be available. All crating will be done in exhibitors’ vehicles. 

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute.

Smoking

Smoking is allowed at this event site in the parking lot.

Hotels
A list of area hotels is available here: www.bringfido.com

DOG INFORMATION

Dog Policies

● All dogs must be on a 6’ leash at all times when not searching. NO flexi-leashes while not participating in a search.

● Reactive and/or spatially challenged dogs should wear a red bandana (to be provided by the dog’s handler) to help signal others that the dog needs extra space from other dogs.

● Dogs will be toileted in designated areas and handlers must pick-up and dispose of waste.

● Dogs and handlers must stay in designated areas to avoid contaminating search space, interrupting a search, or from viewing any part of the searching.

● Handlers should expect to keep their dogs confined in a crate or vehicle when not searching. The logistics of an event typically do not allow for dogs to hang out on leash in between searches. Handlers should plan to provide their own shade using canopies or shade cloths. 

● Refer to location details (above) for information on unentered dogs. 

Females in Season

Females in season will be allowed to run wearing “pants” at the very end of the day after all other dogs have tested. Handlers with females in season should park and toilet their dogs away from the other dogs if the location logistics permit. Handlers must email Yolanda Belluso at torbelsk9@yahoo.com so plans can be made for the dog.

COVID-19 Information
Event attendees are required to adhere to the NACSW COVID-19 Event Guidelines and Rules

In addition to those guidelines the following changes and guidelines are in effect for this test due to COVID-19.

There are currently no travel or mask restrictions for this area.
If there are any significant changes or updates after the draw period, handlers will be notified via email. Handlers are responsible for staying up to date on any jurisdictional requirements for their home location as well as the event location including any travel guidance. 

ADA Requests

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request accommodation(s), please email ADA@nacsw.net. Please include your name, ORT date, ORT host name, and your requested accommodation(s).

 Rules

Complete rules are available at www.NACSW.net. It is the responsibility of each handler to read and understand the current NACSW™ Rule book prior to participating in a NACSW event.

 Liability

By registering for the ORT Test, the handler hereby assumes all risks of, and responsibility for, accidents and/or damage to her/himself or to her/his property or to others, resulting from the actions of her/his dog. The handler expressly agree that the NACSW, Torbel’s Canine Connection/Yolanda Belluso and its assignees or any other person, or persons, of said groups, shall not be held liable personally, or collectively, under any circumstances, for injury, and/or damage to her/himself, for loss or injury to property, whether due to uncontrolled dogs or negligence of any member of said groups, or any other cause, or causes. The handler also agrees to assume all financial liability that may be incurred by the NACSW due to the actions of themselves or their dogs regardless of the cause.

Sportsmanship
All handlers and spectators are expected to follow the rules of the NACSW and demonstrate good sportsmanship. This includes making sure the hide placements are unknown to the handler prior to searching and kept secret from other handlers. Please do not discuss hide placement or any details of a dog's performance that may provide information or clues to other handlers or may be overheard.

Results
During the odor re-sets, the official results sheet will be brought out to the parking area for handlers to photo or review. We recommend you verify your results on the official results sheet and let your host or judge know if you have any questions regarding your results.

 

Spectators

Spectators are reminded that the hide placements must not be discussed nor should they speak with any handlers about what they saw until after the event is complete.

No dogs will be allowed in the spectator area. No unentered dogs with spectators are allowed at the event. 

An adult accompanying a minor must be present during the searches.
Everyone at the site must sign the waiver provided by the host and comply with all event requirements. 

Handlers are not allowed to watch the searches at any time.

Videotaping and Photography

If the site allows public video to be taken, handlers may wear visible head or chest cameras to record their searches. You will not be allowed extra time at the start line to get your camera functioning. Please be sure it is ready to go prior to arriving at the search area. At ORTs, handlers may bring a spectator to video or photograph their searches. Videos may not be made public until completion of the event day. 

Emergency Veterinary Hospital

The closest emergency veterinarians to the event location:

Animal Emergency of Mokena 

19110 88th Ave

Mokena, IL 60448

708-326-4800 Open 24 hours

Premier Veterinary Group 

7000 W 159th St

Orland Park, IL 60462

708-388-3771 Open 24 hours

Questions
All Test related questions, contact Yolanda Belluso torbelsk9@yahoo.com 

Details regarding check in time and briefing will be sent approximately 1 week before the ORT.

Rules

Complete rules are available at www.NACSW.net. It is the responsibility of each competitor to read and understand the current NACSW™ Rule book prior to participating in a NACSW event.