'A hired nose': Regina woman and her dog sniff out drug problems

Two deaths and several overdoses apparently linked to fentanyl in Saskatoon over the weekend have further encouraged Dawn Meisner to curb addictions with her dog drug sniffing service.

Meisnerrecently openedan independent drug detection business in Regina called Confidential Canine Narcotics Detection.

"We need to be open and proactive, and I think I am a proactive piece in this whole puzzle," said Meisner, with her 18-month-old chocolate-coloured lab, Aero, sitting patiently by her side.

• Saskatoon police consider murder charges after 2 fatally OD on cocaine suspected of containing fentanyl
• Sask. mother wants payday loan reform after son borrowed tens of thousands to fund addiction

The duo is hired to enter workplaces or homes and can identify the presence of cannabis, crystal meth, cocaine, ecstasy or heroin. Meisnersaid next steps legal or otherwise are up to the client.

"It's prevalent in our society and it's not going to go away," she said.

Sniffing it out

When Aero picks up the scent, she responds passively by sitting and staring at the location where drugs are detected. The handler safely retrieves any substance present.

"I'm basically a hired nose," Meisnersaid.

If drugs are retrieved and addiction is suspected, she offers concerned familiessuggestions for rehabilitation programs andcounsellingservices.

• Unstoppable: The Fentanyl Epidemic in Canada

Risking their lives

Meisnerand Aero were certified through theSignature Odour Scent Work (Narcotic or Explosives) program out of the Justice Institute of British Columbia. The program is equivalent to military and police requirements.

It can be a dangerous because the team could potentiallyfind deadly drugs.

Bothfentanylandcarfentanilare powerfulopioiddrugs.Fentanylis used in small doses to treat pain, andcarfentanilwas created to sedate large animals. Just one dose the size of a grain of sand could cause death.

Meisnercarries analoxonekitin caseeither one comes incontact with fentanyl.

Right dog for the job

Labrador retrievers are typically the breed chosen to be drug detection dogs butnot every dog has the necessaryqualities for the job.

Chris Oudshoorn has been breeding working dogs like Aero for over 20 years.

"We specifically look for a dog that wants to play all day long anddoesn't want to stop," saidOudshoorn, adding that a lean physique and longer than normal snout are also desirable qualities.

He estimated only about one in 100 Labrador retrievers that he's bred have what it takes to become a drug detection dog.

Meisner said she's currently looking to expand her workforce with another lab.