Covid-19 Update

H&A Protection Services are re-iterating the guidance and policies the British Government are enforcing. Please stay inside and self-isolate where possible. For more information please go on www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Stay at home Only go outside for food, health reasons or essential work Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people Wash your hands as soon as you get home
For all our dog handlers please read the below from NASDU:
TRAINING: GP SECURITY NASDU recommend training providers consider what services they continue to deliver and understand that some companies will have their own procedures in place. We recommend that if any company/handlers procedures mean departing from British standards that a note is made of the reason in training records.
We believe that it is important that dog teams continue to perform at a high standard as a prolonged shut down with many people suffering financial difficulties may lead to a heightened crime rate or an extra need for security at closed premises.
At present we are suggesting that security dog teams continue to complete quarterly and annual training to ensure compliance with British Standards.
However, we do recommend the following:
If a handler or trainer is unwell or a member of their immediate home family is unwell, they should not attend training.
We would suggest that handlers should not be forced to train if they don’t wish to, however if there are genuine concerns about the operational safety or animal welfare concerns of a team that is not willing to train, they should not be deployed.
If there is a justified break in training records trainers/ handlers should notate this in their training records. Dog teams should then complete a full assessment to ensure operational competency on return to normality.
Handlers and trainers keep a safe distance apart. (the normal safe distance for security dogs is a good guide)
Handlers take their own refreshments (Flask, sandwiches etc) and avoid the use of rest rooms/classrooms for breaks.
NASDU also recommends handlers do not allow their dogs or equipment to come into contact with other dogs and equipment during training sessions.
Trainers ensure that all students are made aware of good hygiene practices before and during training sessions.
Whilst it is believed that dogs do not transmit the disease directly (not Zoonotic) they can carry the virus on their coats from human contact and transfer it that way.
Handlers should not allow their dogs to come into contact with other dogs and trainers should ensure they handwash if coming into contact with other people’s dogs.
TRAINING: DETECTION DOGS
The advice for detection dog teams is the same in general as security dogs with training taking place as far as possible outside or in large empty buildings that allow for social distancing.
NASDU will accept a break in handlers training records whose main income is from work at social gatherings such as sporting venues, clubs, events etc that are no longer deploying. This will be accepted for the next 2-3 months, as long as before returning to work they carry out an assessment to ensure the team is at the required operational standard and reason for training gap is notated by their trainer on their records.
Operational detection dog handlers that are deploying should at present carry on training but tailoring the sessions to be as safe as possible.
OPERATIONAL HANDLING
All operational handlers should ensure that they follow good hygiene procedures and ensure the cleanliness of there working environment, dogs and equipment.
Detection dog handlers working in secure environments or multiple environments should ensure dogs and equipment are cleaned between venues and going home to family.
Exercising dogs in daylight between jobs will help as viruses are destroyed by U.V. light but this is just another aid to protection and not a replacement of good cleaning.
All companies deploying dog teams and handlers should consider how best, using government advice, they can deliver their services safely.
WELLBEING
There are a number of handlers, trainers and companies who will as have today lost all or a substantial part of their income.
If you are in this position act early by contacting financial institutions and companies that you owe money to such as mortgage providers, landlords and energy companies, explaining the situation and ask for advice.
If any H&A Protection Services staff member has any Covid-19 concerns please contact your line manager directly. Above all, keep you, your family and friends safe and well at all times.