Penn Vet Working Dog Center
Partnering with dogs for the health and safety of people, animals, and the environment
What We Do
Penn Vet’s Working Dog Center aims to advance research and the application of the newest scientific findings and veterinary expertise to optimize the performance of scent detection dogs.
We are inspired by the search and rescue dogs that responded following the attacks on 9/11, and having opened on September 11, 2012 we serve as a national research and development center for detection dogs.
Research
Exploring canine physiology, sports medicine, cognition, behavior and genetics to optimize the health and performance of detection dogs.
Share Your Working Dog Center Story
Do you have a story you’d like to share about Dr. Cindy Otto or the Penn Vet Working Dog Center?
We’re inviting fosters, volunteers, students, colleagues, researchers, trainers, and supporters to submit memories and photos in honor of Dr. Otto’s retirement.
After 35 years of service to Penn Vet’s School of Veterinary Medicine — as founding Executive Director of the Working Dog Center and Professor of Working Dog Sciences & Sports Medicine — this is a chance to reflect on what’s been built and celebrate the person at the center of it all.
Don’t miss one of the last opportunities to hear Dr. Otto speak.
Attend the Virtual Lecture: Past, Present, Future: Lessons from a Lifetime of Listening to Dogs and Other Amazing Animals on June 11.
Training, Dogs & Specialized Services
Serving a diverse and growing K9 community, from search and rescue teams to conservation to law enforcement. We offer specialized services including Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation.
Educational Programs
Uniting individuals who are passionate, curious and deeply engaged in the quest for working dog knowledge
Get Involved
The PVWDC is sustained through individual, government, foundation and corporate gifts and grants. We rely on your support and participation to make a difference.
Tour the Center
See first-hand what it takes to train our nation’s leading detection dogs.
Watch as the Working Dog Center staff explains the step-by-step process to prepare a dog to serve in explosives detection, search and rescue, medical and conservation detection, and more.
About us
Meet Our Team
Get to know our team, a unique combination of people with a broad range of expertise.
Find Us
School of Veterinary Medicine
Working Dog Center
3401 Grays Ferry Ave., Bldg. 470
Philadelphia, PA 19146
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Penn Vet Working Dog Center
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3401 Grays Ferry Ave., Bldg. 470, Philadelphia, PA 19146