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Advancing the Profession of Canine-Assisted Water Leak Detection™

K9PDA is a nonprofit professional association supporting standards development, certification oversight, workforce development, and continuing education for canine-assisted water leak detection professionals.

 

OUR MISSION

Protecting Water Through Professional Excellence

K9PDA supports water conservation and infrastructure protection through professional standards development, certification oversight, workforce development, continuing education, and industry collaboration.

WHAT WE DO

FOR UTILITIES

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY

INDUSTRY COLLABORATION

Professional Standards Development

K9PDA develops and promotes professional standards, ethical guidelines, and best practices supporting canine-assisted water leak detection.

Certification Oversight

K9PDA supports certification frameworks designed to promote professional accountability, competency, and ongoing development within the profession.

Workforce Development

K9PDA encourages career development opportunities through education, mentorship, professional recognition, and continuing education initiatives.

Continuing Education

K9PDA promotes lifelong learning through workshops, educational resources, industry engagement, and professional development opportunities.

Industry Collaboration

K9PDA fosters collaboration among utilities, researchers, educators, and industry professionals to advance knowledge and innovation supporting water loss management.

Supporting Utility Decision-Makers

K9PDA promotes professional standards and certification frameworks that help utilities evaluate qualified canine-assisted water leak detection teams.

✔ Professional Standards

✔ Certification Verification

✔ Active Certification Registry

✔ Continuing Education Requirements

✔ Ethical Guidelines

✔ Workforce Development

Building the Future Workforce

K9PDA supports the development of skilled professionals through a structured pathway emphasizing education, field experience, continuing education, mentorship, and professional growth.

Student

Certified Team

Journeyman Team

Instructor

Evaluator

Master Team

Working Together to Reduce Water Loss

K9PDA encourages collaboration among:

  • Water Utilities

  • Municipalities

  • Rural Water Systems

  • Researchers

  • Educators

  • Industry Partners

  • Certified Professionals

Working Together to Reduce Water Loss

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Understanding the Roles

K9 Pipeline Detection Association™ (K9PDA)
Professional Association, Standards Development, Certification Standards & Oversight, Workforce Development, Continuing Education

K9 Water Leak Detection University™ (K9WLDU)
Education, Training, Certification Preparation, Workshops, Professional Development

K9 Water Leak Detection™ (K9WLD)
Commercial Water Leak Detection Services and Field Operations

Maintaining separate roles helps preserve the independence and integrity of professional standards and certification oversight.

JOIN THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY

Whether you are a utility professional, certified team, educator, researcher, or industry partner, K9PDA provides a platform for collaboration, professional development, and advancement of canine-assisted water leak detection.

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Organization​

Lolita Shaffer, President

Relationship Statement

K9 Pipeline Detection Association™ (K9PDA) is a nonprofit professional association supporting certification standards, workforce development, continuing education, and industry collaboration for canine-assisted water leak detection professionals.

K9PDA does not provide commercial detection services or training programs. Training and certification preparation are provided independently through K9 Water Leak Detection University™ (K9WLDU). Commercial deployment services are provided independently through K9 Water Leak Detection™ (K9WLD).

© 2026 K9 Pipeline Detection Association. All rights reserved.

Status Statement

K9PDA is an Oklahoma nonprofit corporation. Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is pending.

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