Debby Kay

Debby Kay has been a pioneer in scent detection work for over 40 years. She worked with the first search and rescue groups where the idea of using dogs to detect cadavers underwater to the training protocols was introduced. She has worked with many scientists to develop dogs to assist in locating biological specimens in the field for research projects; she trained the first toxic waste detection dog, and produced the first proof of concept accelerant detection dog. She has taught detector dog handler teams and instructors from all over the world including developing the Federal ATF’s explosive detection program. Debby teaches Super Sniffer™ workshops for amateur dog owners and professional trainers alike.

In competition, Debby’s dogs from her Chilbrook bloodlines established in 1969 have earned over 400 titles and awards, including all breed Best in Show, Best in Specialty Show, & Highest Scoring Dog in Trial in obedience. Her breeding stock is highly sought after by Service Dog schools. She is an internationally recognized author and lecturer, an all breed conformation judge (recently judging in China), hunt test.

Debby is the executive director of the Diabetes Alert Dog Alliance, a founding officer of the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac, and a breed mentor and member of the Labrador Retriever Club Inc. and the Blue Ridge Dog Training Club. She is a professional member of the Dog Writers Association of America and the International Association of Canine Professionals. Debby lives with her husband, Sam Cochran, on their farm in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.