The National Canine Division (NCD) is a component of the National Center for Explosives Training and Research and is located at ATF’s Canine Training Center in Front Royal, Virginia. The NCD consists of two sections: the Canine Academy Branch and the Canine Operations Branch.
The Canine Academy Branch and its staff are responsible for evaluating, selecting and training canines, as well as training new and current handlers. Ensuring ATF and its partners are prepared for a variety of operations, canines and their handlers can be trained in several disciplines, including:
The Canine Operations Branch is responsible for conducting in-service and advanced training, annual canine team evaluations and certifications, National Odor Recognition Testing (NORT), homemade explosives training, Regional Canine Operations Training, special projects, and research and development.
NCD personnel possess extensive canine training and operations experience developed through prior service in law enforcement as well as the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
Detection canines, alongside their special agent partners, have enhanced ATF’s ability to support a variety of high-risk law enforcement operations. ATF canine teams assist in bomb, arson, explosives and firearm investigations, while also carrying out traditional “search and sweep” responsibilities to protect the public.
2026 ATF National Canine Division Planner
We are thankful for ATF’s National Canine Division for their dedication to training law enforcement K-9s for agencies across the country.
ATF’s explosive detection K-9 teams work tirelessly to keep communities safe, and we are recognizing their hard work with a free 2026 ATF National Canine Division Planner. It features some of our beautiful, intelligent K-9s!
Pioneering Leadership
In 1995, Grace Reisling became ATF’s first special agent canine handler. Reisling partnered with ATF’s first explosives detection canine, a Labrador retriever named Charlie, and played a key role in the bureau’s development of federal law enforcement canine handling. This pilot program, directed by Richard Strobel and Robert Noll, ultimately led to the establishment of ATF’s National Canine Program.
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