United Police Work Dog Association

01/10/2026

ATTENTION!!!!

We are transitioning to a new social media page on Facebook to streamline communications with all social media platforms. A new United Police Work Dog Association page has been created. Please LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE the new page below to ensure it reaches current followers and potential new followers. Thank you!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZzKoTV7A5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The United Police Work Dog Association (UPWDA) supports operational law enforcement K-9 teams through objective standards, documented certification, and professional training. This Page shares standards, education, events, and certification information.

11/27/2025

Dear UPWDA Members,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we want to extend our sincere appreciation to each of you for your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to the communities you serve. The work you do—alongside your exceptional K-9 partners—continues to make a meaningful difference every day.

On behalf of our leadership, we wish you and your families a safe, restful, and very Happy Thanksgiving. May this holiday bring you time to relax, connect with loved ones, and reflect on the many things we have to be grateful for.

Thank you for all that you do, and for the service you provide to our association and the public.

10/29/2025

We would like to extend our appreciation to Gastonia Police Department for hosting the 2025 UPWDA K-9 trials. The attached video includes clips from the 2025 UPWDA conference and discussing the importance of scenario based training for K-9 specific disciplines. We provide an opportunity for our members to complete required annual K-9 recertification through UPWDA membership. For more information please click the below link to access the UPWDA site.

https://www.upwda.org

https://youtu.be/DeBfz-1p_2Udg t

This is how Police K-9 dogs get certified to a national standard.

10/09/2025

UPWDA Conference 2025: Pictured below participating K9s, handlers, and UPWDA K9 Instructors. Thank you for your hard work and participation in workshops!

10/09/2025

UPWDA Conference 2025: Pictured K9s practicing scent work for narcotics and explosives. 

10/09/2025

09/04/2025

We are excited to announce the launch of the brand-new United Police Work Dog Association online store, now live on our website.

The store is designed with you in mind, offering official UPWDA apparel, merchandise, and gear that proudly represents our association. Whether you are looking for training apparel for the field, or items to show your UPWDA pride, you will find it all in one convenient place.

👉 visit the UPWDA Online Store at UPWDA.org

Your purchase is directly support UPWDA and our ongoing mission to advance training, education, an excellence in the field of police work dogs. anyone can purchase from this store, so please share with EVERYONE!!

As things progress, we will add to the store. More colors, more options like hoodies,  long sleeve T-shirts etc. This is just the launch! 

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing our members represent UPWDA with pride.

Stay safe,
Pete Genovese, President
United Police Work Dog Association

08/08/2025

🚨🐾 WELCOME K9 JAEGER & K9 SNOW 🐾🚨

Please join us in congratulating Deputy VanLew and his K-9 partner, Jaeger, on successfully completing K-9 Handler School this week! The duo is now certified in drug detection through the United Police Working Dog Association ().

Also pictured and big congratulations to Deputy Anderson and K-9 Snow, who also recently completed training! Next stop for these guys and their K-9 Companions? Back to our Special Operations Interdiction Unit, where they’ll work together to intercept illicit drugs, bulk currency, and other criminal activity that moves through our county.

Both K9s are German Shorthaired Pointers and just around 1.5 years old... young, sharp, and ready to work! We’re proud of these teams and the critical role they play in keeping Baldwin County safe.

05/10/2025

UPWDA is officially International!!
We've just certified our first EDD in Europe!!!
LFG!!! & Congrats to everyone and a special thanks to Kip and Kevin for representing UPWDA with such professionalism!!