December 14, 2020 The Federal Customs Authority (FCA) and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) have successfully undertaken a world-first study into deploying trained dogs for the detection of COVID-19. ABU DHABI — The Federal Customs Authority (FCA) and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) have successfully undertaken a world-first study into deploying trained dogs for the detection of COVID-19. Under the academic and professional agreement, the parties conducted the first, world-class scientific study to detect the presence of the coronavirus, through the use of customs K9 sniffer dogs. A joint task force was formed, consisting of experts, researchers and specialists representing HCT and the K9 Unit of the FCA.