DUSHANBE, July 5, 2013, Asia-Plus – The Drug Control Agency (DCA) under the President of Tajikistan and the EU-UNDP Border Management in Central Asia (BOMCA) Program are hosting a regional cynology management meeting of heads and instructors of dog handling centers from Central Asian States and Turkey that is concluding here today.

According to the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan, over the course of two days, senior officers and instructors of dog handling services representing border management and drug control agencies from five countries of Central Asia are sharing experience in dog training, discussing management planning and ways of improvement of dog handlers’ trainings in searching, as well as drugs and explosive materials detection.  They are also discussing perspective trainings, use of interactive and distant training technologies for dog handlers, as well as design of a unified approach for proper breed selection, testing of animals’ abilities, training, and feeding.

All participants will visit a Multi-agency dog training center, which was built by EU BOMCA Program in Tajikistan in 2012.  The project site includes a training building with accommodation facilities for dog handlers, veterinary and delivery units, in-door training facilities, puppy-dog facility, an isolation unit for sick dogs and a check point.  The Center is equipped with computer and office equipment, furniture, veterinary and medical equipment, kitchen equipment and a library with training materials.  Total construction budget together with furniture and equipment provided for the Center amounted to €450,000.

The overall objectives of BOMCA are to help increase security in the Central Asian region, to contribute toward the facilitation of legitimate trade and transit, and to reduce the illicit movement of goods and people.

The EU-UNDP BOMCA assistance program is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP.