Learn from nationally recognized K9 expertise

Instruction shaped by real-world K9 deployment, operational decision-making, and courtroom accountability.

August 25-26, 2026
Fred Helfers
Register for HITS 2026View full speakers list
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Fred Helfers, Owner, Fred Helfers Consulting

About
Fred Helfers

Detective Fred Helfers (retired) has trained detection canine teams for over 40 years and authored double-blind certification protocols for police drug detection teams.

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Featured session at HITS 2026

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Aug 25th, 2026
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1:30 pm
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3:30 pm

Conducting Double Blind Exercises for K9 Team Certifications and the ORT process

Details

This presentation will cover the topic of Conducting Double Blind exercises for K9 Team certifications and the ORT process. It is supported by a research paper recently published in January 2026.

Build and run double-blind certification exercises that eliminate bias—backed by new research and a 12-page protocol you can take home.
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Other classes

8:00 am
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10:00 am

Conducting Double Blind Exercises for K9 Team Certifications and the ORT process

Aug 26th, 2026
Fred Helfers
View details
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Learn from
Fred Helfers
at
HITS K9

Join national-scale K9 education designed to strengthen deployment judgment, legal defensibility, and long-term operational performance.

Register for HITS 2026View full speakers list

See who else is teaching at HITS

HITS brings together prosecutors, scientists, federal advisors, and operational trainers whose instruction reflects real-world deployment and courtroom scrutiny.

Dr. Kelvin Frank

Forensic Science Lecturer
,
FIU
Assistant professor at FIU’s Global Forensic and Justice Center, leading canine detection science, standards, and the International Commission on Detector Dogs (ICODD).
See speaker

Michael Nezbeth

Founder
,
Grassroots K9
Michael Nezbeth is the Founder and Training Director of Grassroots K9, an internationally recognized canine training company specializing in law enforcement and working dog development.
See speaker

Dr. John Waterhouse

Founder
,
Hero Canines
Veterinarian focused on working dog medicine, rehabilitation, and injury prevention for law enforcement and military K9 teams.
See speaker
View all speakers
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