Retired US Customs and Homeland Security Detection Canine Specialist, Lisa Kennell has become the “go to” source to teach and train truffle growers and their dogs to find the elusive Black Perigord Truffle. She will be presenting an informative and entertaining seminar for the 80+ members of the North American Truffle Grower’s Association [www.TruffleGrowers.com] and curious consumers at the National Truffle Fest that will be held in Asheville, N.C. March 5-8, 2009 [www.NationalTruffleFest.com].

Kennell has worked with and trained dogs since she was five years old. She spent her formative years at her family’s kennel, training and showing their dogs in AKC conformation, obedience and tracking. Her experience with training dogs for personal protection and security purposes led her to become the Master Trainer for Clackamas Co. Sheriff’s Department in Oregon in 1980.

In 1990, she was recruited by the US Customs’ Detection Dog Program and covered the U.S. Southern border, deploying narcotic detection canines. By 1999, Kennell became an Instructor/Course Developer for the US Customs Canine Training Center where she taught Customs Personnel, State & Local Law Enforcement Agencies and Foreign Countries in the detection of Narcotics, Explosives and Chemical Weapons.

In 2004, Kennell developed and trained the first dual purpose dogs for the Department of Homeland Security. Her program went on to become the standard for the Customs and Border Protection Agencies’ "Human Detection Dog Program." She retired from government work in 2007 and has become a renowned and respected consultant, people and dog trainer in all forms of scent work.