About K9 Search Midwest
We rely on members who dedicate their own time and resources to the training required to be a professional resource to law enforcement organizations. Our members are almost entirely self-funded. Our K9 handlers spend thousands of dollars annually to maintain and train themselves and their K9 partner. We train for all conditions, including night searches, and winter searches. We train nearly every week, year-round, and require active members to attend at least half of all trainings. All active members are trained in base and field skills, so that everyone is able to fill any non-K9 search role. Training includes Incident Command System basics, compass/GPS navigation, radio communications and first aid for humans and K9s.
About Search and Rescue
The watchwords for all SAR volunteers are best represented by the acronym “PHACKS”, meaning Professional, Humble, Able, Competent, Knowledgeable, Solicitous. Our consistent mission is that we are helpers, first; searchers, second; K9 handlers, third. Search is an emergency, no matter who is missing. As a K9 SAR unit, we would rather be called in and sent home, than called in for the recovery days, weeks, or months, later.
K9s used for SAR should be suited for search work: a working/ sporting/ herding breed, double coat of fur, innate prey/play drive, not necessarily a purebred. SAR dogs are intelligent, energetic, high drive animals. These are the very qualities are what make them able to handle the long hours, the rough searches, the disappointments and still have the drive to go -- again and again. It is the handler’s challenge to focus that energy and intelligence toward a specific goal. It takes at least 18 months to become mission ready with a K9, though most of the time is spent training the handler. Training is intended to be for life [of the dog], so handlers have to plan to spend years working with their dog. Searches happen in an instant and both handler and K9 have to be ready when the call comes in.
K9s used for SAR should be suited for search work: a working/ sporting/ herding breed, double coat of fur, innate prey/play drive, not necessarily a purebred. SAR dogs are intelligent, energetic, high drive animals. These are the very qualities are what make them able to handle the long hours, the rough searches, the disappointments and still have the drive to go -- again and again. It is the handler’s challenge to focus that energy and intelligence toward a specific goal. It takes at least 18 months to become mission ready with a K9, though most of the time is spent training the handler. Training is intended to be for life [of the dog], so handlers have to plan to spend years working with their dog. Searches happen in an instant and both handler and K9 have to be ready when the call comes in.