TDA RESEARCH, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: CBD222-003

Description

Military working dogs (MWDs) have been an integral part of the U.S. military since the Revolutionary War. Since Sept 11, 2001, the demand for these animals has increased and the number of animals trained/year has more than doubled. MWDs are frequently deployed into military field environments that can be hazardous, and they are highly susceptible to toxic chemical exposure. Protecting military working dogs from exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials is especially challenging because protective equipment in the form of inhalation masks and suits essentially prevent the canine from performing its key functions (detecting, smelling, warning and biting). A portable protective canine shelter is needed to provide MWD’s with clean filtered air, and to protect the handlers and vehicles when MWDs may have come in contact with toxic compounds. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes to develop a portable working dog chemical, biological protective shelter that is light-weight, highly portable, can be easily and quickly set up, and that will protect the working dog for many hours while also protecting the handler or vehicle should the dog have come into contact with a toxic chemical. During this Phase I effort, TDA and our partners will prepare a fully functional, full-size prototype canine shelter. This working dog protective shelter is lightweight, highly portable, easy to setup (two steps), sets up quickly (15-30 seconds) and is assembled using modern materials with proven protection performance, providing the MWD with military grade protection against toxic/agent chemicals, vapors, aerosols and biological and radiological particles.