Category: Education

Such Accomplished Puppies (and handlers)!

KCSD is celebrating recent certification testing of a number of our newer and more experienced dogs. This is the result of many many hours of training and practice and it provides confidence that we are deploying excellent, reliable search dogs to serve our community. We are so proud of these dogs and their handlers! From Left to Right: K9 Dash, K9 Ahsoka, K9 Erie, K9 Tika and K9 Litza K9 Dash and his handler Courtney passed the KCSD human remains detection certification test. At 93 lbs “Dash” does not mean just a little bit, rather true to his name Dash […]

KCSD Dogs on TV!

K9 Lyla and K9 Puzzle were featured recently in a KIRO-7 interview with reporter Tyrah Majors and their handlers Liz and Jon. They talked about real life search dog training and wilderness safety in the context of the new Brad Pitt movie “Heart of the Beast” that focuses on the bond between handlers and working dogs. Click on this link to see the whole interview: KIRO 7

“How to Hike Safely with Your Dog”

Watch a free, on-demand webinar from the Washington Trails Association, REI and the #RecreateResponsibly Coalition to help get you and your dog ready for hiking this summer. “How to Hike Safely with Your Dog” focuses on new dog owners heading out with their ‘pandemic pups’ but has useful tips for experienced dog owners as well. The webinar features experts from the Washington Trails association, Washington State Animal Response Team, a certified trainer, a vet, and even a video with some King County Search Dogs! Link: https://youtu.be/IFD0vUmH3iw

Tune in to KCSD!

Listen to “The American Canine” podcast to hear Josh Gerstman and Heather Jo Cutting discuss their 20+ years of search dog experience with host Tony McFee. The conversation covers their first exposure to search dogs through to search and rescue becoming their lifestyle. They also describe finding suitable puppies and the training required to become certified search dog team. A great listen!

♫ Come Fly with Me ♫

K9 Oso and Heather take to the sky! Thanks to the King County Sheriff Office Air Support Unit, KCSD recently had it’s 2018 helicopter training at Banderra airfield east of North Bend WA. All the dogs had a chance to practice loading into the helicopter with and without the engines running. The handlers and dogs then put on their harnesses and were hoisted up into Guardian 2 as it hovered 120 feet in the air. While it is a fun ride, it is serious business and on those occasions when helicopter transport is required KCSD dogs and handlers are ready […]

Want to learn to search?

King County Search Dogs is holding information sessions for new applicants on Wednesday March 14th and Wednesday March 28th from 7-8PM at the Mercer island Fire Station; 3030 78th Ave SE, Mercer Island. Come meet some of the Members of KCSD and learn more about the application process and training to be a search dogs handler or support specialist.

Everyone had fun in Redmond

King County Search Dogs and Seattle Mountain Rescue visited the John Muir School in Redmond earlier this year. They read a story about search dogs as part of a reading promotion program and then did a demonstration where some of the dogs searched for teachers hiding in the playground. Everyone had a good time judging by the many thoughtful thank-you notes the children sent as you can see in the sample below. If you are interested in having King County Search Dogs participate in a program at your school please contact us at info@kcsearchdogs.org. Click here to see more thank you […]