NACSW® Education Division
K9 Nose Work® Training Fest Southwest 2026

Elevate your nose work training—not just feet above sea level, but through truly elevated skill development. Experience the best of all worlds: breathtaking scenery, thoughtfully designed search locations, and the Rocky Mountains as your inspiring backdrop.

Join the founders of K9 Nose Work, Amy Herot and Jill Marie O’Brien, along with two original Founding Instructors and current Senior Faculty members—Barbara Schwerdt, CNWI and Kimberly Buchanan, CNWI—for an exceptional training experience that blends expert instruction, purposeful searches, and an unforgettable mountain setting.

May 16-17, 2026 (Saturday and Sunday)
8:30am – 4:30pm MT

Mesa County Fairgrounds, 2785 US-50, Grand Junction, CO 81503

Cost:
$675.00 for the weekend – single day registration not available (limited spaces)
$175.00 for auditing per day (limited spaces)

CEUs:
NACSW Instructor Program CEUs: 7 per day for CNWI

Steps for registrations:

•  Preliminary registration completion (submit form below).
• Due to limited space, working spots will be awarded by random draw from all registrations received by 5:00 PM, PT on February 15, 2026.
• Draw will take place February 16, 2026 (no later than 8:00PM) (the initial draw will be for working spots. If necessary, a 2nd draw will be done for auditing spots)
• A wait list will be maintained for both working and auditing spot requests.
• Acceptance will be confirmed by email, and an invoice will be sent by February 17, 2026, after the draw (you’ll have 24 hours to process payment to hold your spot).
• Once payment is received (due at time of final registration after selected in the draw), you’ll receive a questionnaire to collect information about you and your dog.
• Group assignments will be determined on a variety of factors (including but not limited to, title level, years of training, handler experience, etc.).
• The focus of this 2-day training event will be on skill development and competition readiness.

Event Faculty:

• Amy Herot, NACSW K9 Nose Work Co-Founder – Read Bio
• Jill Marie O’Brien, NACSW K9 Nose Work Co-Founder – Read Bio
• Barbara Schwerdt, CNWI, NACSW Sr. Faculty – Read Bio
• Kimberly Buchanan, CNWI, NACSW Sr. Faculty – Read Bio

Group information:

• Groups will consist of eight teams (handler/dog).
• Each day the teams will work in four search areas.
• Teams will work with each instructor at least once (subject to change).
• We will do our utmost to create groups that support the best learning for all participants. (Groups are organized based on survey responses from handlers.)
• Instructors will use their many years working with Nose Work teams to create learning experiences that will be both informative and fun. They will use that experience to adjust exercises as necessary based on real time observations and handler feedback.
• Searches will emphasize interiors and exteriors but may touch on all the elements. (Search areas and elements are subject to change without notice).
• Instructors will discuss strategy and technique for search optimization from entry level to elite level and everything in-between.
• Auditors will have flexibility to float from group to group (unless the search area precludes spectators due to space or other concerns)
• One dog per handler. Second dogs will be considered after all wait list and new registrations have been considered. Final determination on second dogs will not be done until at least a week before the event.
• Teams will be assigned to the level of the lowest level dog.

Prerequisites:

• All dogs must be on all three NACSW odors (Birch, Anise and Clove).
• All dogs must be able to be crated inside or outside of their vehicle without disturbing other dogs.
• This event is not well suited toward human-aggressive or difficult-to-manage dog-aggressive (reactive) dogs.

Recommended Equipment:

• Participants will need to bring a mobile crate to use in certain search areas (car crating may or may not be available for your assigned searches.) Handlers will be responsible for moving their own equipment between search areas if needed.
• Visual barriers
  • crate cover
  • shade cloths
• Food and/or toys
• Six-foot leash (dogs must be on a 6 foot or shorter leash when not actively in a supervised search)
• Other leashes or lines for use during supervised training sessions
• Portable chair
• Appropriate attire to accommodate current weather conditions

Covid-19: NACSW will comply with all state and locally mandated guidelines in place at the time of the event.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Cancellation deadlines are as follows:

Working teams:

• By April 24, 2026 11:59pm PT you will receive a refund minus $50.00 processing fee.
• By May 1, 2026 11:59pm PT 50% of the registration will be refunded minus $50.00 processing fee. (Example: 50% of $675.00 = $312.50 – $50.00 processing fee = refund of $262.50)
• After May 1, 2026 11:59pm PT – NO REFUNDS

Auditors:

• By April 24, 2026 11:59pm PT you will receive a refund minus $50.00 processing fee.
• By May 1, 2026 11:59pm PT 50% of the registration will be refunded. (Example: 50% of $175.00 = refund of $87.50; 50% of $350.00 = refund of $175.00)
• After May 1, 2026 11:59pm PT – NO REFUNDS

Your registration will only be considered cancelled if you receive a confirmation from NACSW of receipt of your request for cancellation. Registrations are non-transferable. If the event is cancelled due to civil unrest, health emergencies, acts of war, God, location issues or for reasons beyond the control of the NACSW and/or the K9 Nose Work Education division, fees will be non-refundable; however, all efforts will be made to deliver the event at a later date.

If you are asked to leave the event for any reason due to failure to follow instructions related to the safety, well-being, or general enjoyment of other participants, you will not receive a refund.

Information about the location and general event details:

Parking Location:   Designated locations on the training grounds (TBC later).

Parking Fee:  None

Site Info:

• No overnight camping.
• Dogs must be on leash at all times while at the camp.
• Training attendees must be at the designated campus training areas only. No training on your own, no training dogs not signed up to participate at camp.

Lodging, Food, Medical/Vet Information:
You are responsible for confirming each location’s pet policies. These listings are informational only.

Please open the accordion at the bottom of this page to view the list.

RANDOM DRAW SUBMISSION

Please submit an entry per dog to enter the random draw. Please enter separate entries for Working spot versus Auditing spot.