Thread: How do you get a dog involved in Search and Rescue?

My husband and I have two pure breed Labs (the ages are 3 and almost 1), although they don't have papers. My husband is a trained Firefighter and is currently training to become an EMT. We or just him would like to get involved in a search and rescue program possibly with one or both of our dogs. We are from Ohio (in the Toledo area) and just wondered if anyone had any leads.

He may want to get in touch with someone in the area that does it. The Red Cross might know of someone, or his captain or the fire chief. I'm sure if he let his bosses know that he was interested, they would help him. Search and Rescue dogs are a great help for any department.

There is a national search and rescue group:
http://www.nasar.org/nasar/

But your husband may have better luck calling around to local fire departments and police.

Try your state police and ask them.

Search and rescue can range from hunting for a missing kid in the woods to urban search and rescue which means training to climb through shifting debris.

Either way, it is a long training process. I would check out the link ---knowing that there is more than 1 national group. Try google for more. But I would also call around your area and see what the local groups are. If the state police have a K9 unit they may be able to tell you if they work with any groups in Toledo.

I know in NH we have dogs trained to track that work with police, but there are also private S & R dogs used to find missing kids and even some trained to smell cadavers under water.

Good luck and best wishes!

The German shepherd site I belong to has a entire section for rescue/service dogs.

www.germanshepherds.com

Go into the forum section, scroll down to rescue. Post your question. The people on the site are in the industry and are very friendly, they will help you locate the right dept. to speak to.

What wonderful people you are!

Thanks!