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Name: Sniff Dogs

Type of business: Drug protection/detection

Address: 55 Union Place, Suite 180, Summit

Telephone: (908) 463-9459

Web site: www.sniffdogs.com

Number of employees: 5

Founded: July 2008

Top officers: Founder Debra Stone and partner Debbie Kemp

How would you describe your business?

"Sniff Dogs LLC is a new service that can be instrumental in family drug prevention and intervention. It is a drug detection firm specializing in residential and commercial premises. We locate the presence of drugs (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, Xanax, ecstasy) using narcotics certified dogs with their handlers.

"All sniff dogs are Labrador retrievers selected for their intelligence and friendly temperaments.

"The dogs are used to help parents implement drug prevention and intervention in the home or workplace. With Sniff Dogs, the handler and dog search rooms in a home or auto and if the scent of drugs is picked up the dogs stop and sit down when identifying it and go no further than marking the spot. They do not locate the drug or dispose of them. Sniff Dogs, although certified with the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association, is not directly affiliated with a governmental entity or law enforcement agency and doesn't document the result in its client records. For instance, if a student is convicted with drug possession in school, it's a federal offense.

"Sniff Dogs sees its mission as providing the critical first step for parents to take a proactive stance with their children and be a 'conversation starter' and for dealing with possible drug use and its consequences. The Sniff Dogs handler provides a resource list with suggestions for intervention specialists and web sites locations to support an ongoing dialogue."

What makes your business special?

"Our firm is the first in the nation to support residential needs. Before we began our business drug detection, canines were only available to law enforcement and large commercial enterprises."

What goals do you have for the business?

"Our objective is to help parents gain access to a very discreet, affordable, and effective resource to assist in implementing their family policy regarding illegal drug use. Drug abuse is a significant issue. Early intervention and active parental involvement are critical factors in prevention."

How has your business changed?

"The original idea was to offer this service only to residences. However, based on research and feedback, we have expanded to include commercial enterprises as well."

What was your most important deal?

"Every call and appointment is important. We are finding not only parents of teenagers are calling us, but also spouses and parents who have caregivers and other domestic employees they want to monitor."

What changes do you expect in your business in the next 10 years?

"More parents will become educated about the issue and get in front of drug use earlier by utilizing our service. To know that through our business there is a reduction in drug use and addiction."

What is the most important thing you've learned in your business?

"There are a lot of parents, school officials, and business owners in denial to the drug habits their children, pupils, or workers might have. In addition, there are many challenges in creating a new type of business - residential drug detection - with great growth potential."

What advice would you give to someone considering your line of work?

"To be certified, narcotics canines are held to the highest standards. This certification for handlers and canines must be maintained in a consistent way making this a 24/7 business. Creating a new service is tough and many abilities are needed to implement the business."

Is there anything else you would rather be doing?

"I love this career! Before launching this firm, my business partner and I were both senior management at a Fortune 500 company. Creating and owning a business is hard work, but always gratifying. We are always pushing ourselves to learn more, do more and be more effective across multiple roles."