St. Augusta Couple To Open Detection Dog Training Facility

ST. AUGUSTA -- A new dog training facility is opening in St. Augusta that will train the animals to detect things like drugs, explosives, mold and bed bugs.

Daniel and Kristen Hughes have received a conditional use permit to open the "Dogs for Defense" facility on their St. Augusta property along Stearns County Road 136.

Dan Hughes -- a former Secret Service Officer and police officer -- has been in the business of training detection dogs for about fours years now. He says they have worked with the Department of Defense and the State Department but want to expand it to Minnesota departments as well.

The conditional use permit allows for up to 40 dogs at a time and any shooting exercises need to take place between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or a half-hour before sunset.

Hughes says they will train any breed of dog that meets the standards and they are not dealing with only one breed.

He says they hope to be in operation within the year.