When we first opened the doors at VANDERPETS, our world revolved around the simple, daily rhythms of pet care. We walked through the woods and neighborhood parks, provided loving dog walking, dog daycare, home sitting and dog training and ensured dogs looked and felt their best on our grooming tables.
Those early years taught us something vital: a dog’s experience of the world begins with its senses, instincts and environment.
Every dog that walked through our doors, whether a lively pup learning basic manners or a dog needing dedicated hands on attention showed us that standard pet care only scratches the surface of what dogs are truly capable of achieving.
Quietly, behind the scenes, we began working on a vision to bridge that gap. Today, in the very same location where our journey started, we are proud to introduce the next evolution of VANDERPETS.
The VANDERPETS K9 Detection Academy™
We have expanded from core obedience and companion training into elite working dog disciplines. The VANDERPETS K9 Detection Academy™ brings specialised canine detection and high-level training methods to both working teams and dedicated owners looking to channel their dog’s natural drives.
At the core of the Academy is our proprietary Environmental Engagement Method™ (EEM).
Rooted in our South African heritage, EEM is built around how working dogs navigate diverse, unpredictable terrain in the wild. Rather than training in sterile, artificial vacuums, EEM teaches dogs to engage dynamically with their surroundings, building rock solid confidence, acute environmental stability and laser sharp focus using real world sensory stimuli.
Professional Qualifications & CPD Accreditation for Our Students
Excellence is never accidental. Behind closed doors, we have been working tirelessly toward formal institutional recognition to give our handlers and dogs the standard of education they deserve:
CPD Accreditation for Students and Handlers: We have been working to get Academy CPD accredited since 2025, and it has finally happened! Every handler, student and dog training with us will now earn a verified Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation, ensuring your learning is officially recognised and held to rigorous standards.
City & Guilds Qualified Instruction: Leading from the front, I qualified this year 2026 as a certified City & Guilds Scent Detection Dog Handler and Instructor, bringing industry standard scent theory, precision search mechanics, and proven instructional methods straight into the classroom.
Equipment Built for the Field: The Olfactory System Kit™
As great handler is only as good as their tools. As we developed our academy, we realised we needed reliable, custom gear designed explicitly for scent training.
We are proud to introduce the VANDERPETS Olfactory System Kit™ custom designed and built by us. At the heart of this training kit are our:
Custom made Scent Pots: Rugged, durable and engineered with targeted perforation to hold training scent samples while preventing contamination or dog access.
Specialised Handler Lanyard: Built to keep your scent pots, target cases, and tools within reach at all times, allowing for natural, fluid handling and timing during training sessions or operational searches.
Sensory Wellness: The Olfactory System™
You cannot train a working dog or care for a companion dog without prioritising their primary sensory gateway: their sense of smell.
Alongside the Academy, we are officially launching our custom formulated Olfactory System™, designed to support sensory performance and skin health:
K9 Olfactory Shield Shampoo: Formulated to cleanse deeply without stripping the skin’s natural oils or overwhelming a dog’s hyper sensitive olfactory system™ with synthetic perfumes. It shield coat health while respecting their natural scent profile.
Nose & Paw Balm: An all weather restrative balm designed to protect cracked pads and dry snouts from harsh ground conditions, ensuring working comfort and daily relief.
Join Us in 2027: Seminars, Events & Courses for Everyone
We know there are only two busy months left until Christmas and most of us are rightfully starting to focus on family, festivities and winding down. Because of this, we are looking straight ahead and opening up our 2027 calendar early so you can plan your year and lock in your training goals.
Beginning in the New Year, VANDERPETS will be hosting a wide range of seminars, events and courses designed to welcome everyone:
For Dog Professionals: Elevate your business, learn advanced environmental and scent theories and gain accredited CPD hours to stay at the top of your field.
For Dog Owners: Improve your handling skills, understand your dog’s natural drives and learn how to build an unbreakable working bond together, whether for companion training or recreational scent detection.
Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to refine elite skills, there is a seat at our table for you. Seminars and events will fill up fast, so we encourage you to join our community and sign up now to secure your spot for 2027.
The Road to November 6
To build an accredited academy, develop a proprietary training method and formulate a sensory care line under one roof was an ambitious goal, but our vision has never wavered, to bring true excellence back to the canine industry.
As we count down to our official launch on November 6, we will be sharing exclusive behind the scenes previews of the facility build out, live demonstrations of the Environmental Engagement Method™ (EEM) and early access to our product and equipment lines.
To everyone who trusted us with their dogs on our very first walks, thank you. You laid the foundation for everything we have built today.
We can’t wait to welcome you into our next chapter.
