When disaster strikes there are heroes that jump into action. One of the first on the scene in the event of a major disaster--an earthquake, a tornado, or a collapsed building--are the specialty rescue dogs that we call SARs, or Search and Rescue dogs.

These dogs are specifically trained to track and find people in disaster situations. They are trained to follow scents which will lead them to people in need or even worse, to bodies that are unseen to the living.

Many different breeds are used in search and rescue, but larger dogs are the best suited for this challenging work. SAR dogs must be able to swim, climb stairs and ladders, climb over trees and logs, and through unimaginable debris. But despite their great physical agility and strength, the most important aspect of choosing a candidate for the program is the dog's temperament. Breeds used in the SAR program include Weimaraners, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Smooth Collies, German Coolies, Boxers, Dobermans, and Tervuren, just to name a few. In general, the dog must be hard-working and have an affinity for retrieving or fetching objects. In fact, search and rescue dogs do their jobs for rewards, which can be in the form of a treat, praise, or a to play a game.



Specific Types (Skills) of SAR Dogs:

• Air Scent Dogs
• Trailing or Tracking Dogs
• Water Search Dogs
• Cadaver Dogs
• Avalanche Dogs

For a more in depth look at a SAR dog in training, meet Yata hae Huckleberry Finn, a German Coolies recently selected for the Search and Rescue Program.






Search and Rescue Dog Organizations:

• Pathfinder Search and Rescue
• see us at
• http://www.pathfindersar.org
• The Search and Rescue Dog Foundation, Barrington, New Jersey.

The Foundation offers monetary grants to handlers whose SAR dogs are retiring, injured, or otherwise can no longer perform their duties as a Search & Rescue dog and are needing to purchase another dog. Lorrie Clemmo was able to purchase Huck, her new puppy through the most gracious monetary grant from The Foundation. The Search and Rescue Dog Foundation is a non-profit organization, therefore; any contributions are tax deductable. "ANY" donation would be graciously and thankfully accepted.

Anyone wishing to donate to this very worthy cause, please contact:
The Search and Rescue Dog Foundation
114 Moore Ave
Barrington, NJ 08007

• The Paws of Life Foundation, Ames, Iowa
  

The Paws of Life Foundation (PoL) is a registered non profit based in the heart of America and provides training and placement of temperment tested working K9's. PoL works with humane societies and shelters to identify K9's with working ability and places them with volunteer handlers throughout the nation. Taking a shelter dog and making them the 'paws of life' for a lost or missing person.

PoL also provides educational programming for wilderness, trailing and human remains detection K9 hanlders. For more information go to

www.pawsoflife.org

The Minnesota Search & Rescue Dog Association, has grown to be one of the most recognized K9 Search and Rescue teams in Minnesota and the surrounding areas. Established in 1981 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, our unit provides specially trained dog/handler teams to assist public safety agencies in lost person searches and homicide investigations. MinnSARDA is an affiliate of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Division. Our services are offered free of cost to requesting agencies. References are available to agencies upon request.

For emergency callout only:
Contact the unit 24/7 by calling Anoka County Central Communications at (763) 427-1212 or at ORI MN00200C1

www.minnsarda.com

• Click EasyEdit to add links to other Search and Rescue Dog Organizations that you are involved with.