Submitted by Parkinson’s Alert Dog Team.

Rudi has been a member of the Parkinson’s Alert Dog Team of super-sniffers for more than five years, and in that time, Rudi has used his no-nonsense Schnauzer nose to sniff out an odor associated with Parkinson’s Disease for a record-setting 481 days. Here, you see Rudi demonstrating a solidly-serious sit as he indicates the presence of the target odor. At PADs, Rudi has earned the name of All-Duty-Rudi as he is known for going straight to work. And believe you me when we say, there’s no fooling around for this one. Rudi typically soldiers his way into the search area with brow-furrowed intensity and you had just better look out if you happen to stand in his way, because All Duty Rudi is all business when it comes to detection. If you would like to observe Rudi and his 17 “nosey” San Juan Island colleagues in action, contact sanjuanlisa@gmail.com or text 360-298-5494. For more information on PADs, or to support the PADs Program, see www.padsforparkinsons.org

PADs, located on San Juan Island, is the first program of its kind to train dogs for the detection of an odor associated with Parkinson’s Disease.