K-9 Sniper SAR DOG NEWS Published by the National Search Dog Alliance November 2019 Vol. 13, No. 11
Article page 2019 Bod Meeting Date 1 Smithsonian Institution 25 Bucky Says 1 Synopsis: November Board Meeting 26 The President’s Corner 2 Board Of Directors 26 NSDA Newest Certified Handlers 3 Founding Members 26 Membership Manager’s message 8 The Last Howl 27 New Testing Manager 8 NSDA Upcoming Tests 28 Why Carry it? Who needs it? 9 Upcoming Training, Seminars & Conferences 29 Early Neutering causes health problems 10 2019 Board Meeting Dates Bodies in Concrete 12 Dec 5 Massive Mastiff Rescue 14 Contact Corporate Secretary, Julie Grinnell, at 3-month old found by K-9 15 [email protected] for the call-in number for the Attorney’s office provides support 16 meeting Thanksgiving Day 16 Kibbles & Bits: Dog’s Depression Part 2 17 Bucky Says: How to adopt a retired police dog 19 Military dog wounded 20 Conservation dogs track endangered species 20 Gobble K-9 Sully gets his own statue in Texas 22 Till you Wobble K-9 archaelogists in Croatia 23
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The President’s Corner
Greetings readers of the SAR DOG Newsletter!
We have a jam-packed newsletter this month and there might not be much room for my little corner! Therefore, I want to keep this short and sweet but touch on volunteerism and the National Search Dog Alliance. Just like most search and rescue organizations, teams and independent personnel within North America, NSDA is comprised entirely of volunteer staff. This includes the entire Board of Directors as well!
All the Program Managers, administrators, and support staff that you or I interact with does this job on top of their outstanding obligations to their teams, community, and families. However, because life has a way of pulling us every which way without our prior approval…this can leave an organization like NSDA constantly searching for more involvement, assistance, and volunteerism from those that it wishes to serve. I am in awe of and forever grateful for the effort and dedication put in by many of the veteran volunteers that have built up this organization since its inception. However, this level effort and commitment is unnecessary for the average person that may be willing to help or contribute.
There are a variety of reasons why we want the involvement of a varied and diverse representation of the people that we serve. First, we all know the saying that many hands make light work. Secondly, getting involved yourself helps to ensure that your voice is heard.
There are a lot of commonalities in the world of K-9 SAR within northern America but there are also extreme differences between each region, let alone between teams. It is hard to consider a variety of situations without representation. Additionally, we the volunteers behind NSDA do not know everything and we are always looking for fresh ideas and skill sets.
What people shouldn’t think is that volunteering for an organization like NSDA is a giant time sink. Yes, some positions require greater time investments than others but “something is better than nothing.” I think that this statement is extremely misleading and underestimates the power of “something”. I am sure many of us already know that “something” can be infinitely more powerful than “nothing” in a variety of circumstances.
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NSDA’S NEWEST CERTIFIED SAR K-9 HANDLERS IDAHO Kathy Lloyd and K-9 Dash IDAHO Area with Large Source HR Kathy Lloyd and K-9 Toby Area with Large Source HR
WASHINGTON Chris Felstad and K-9 Avi Area II IDAHO Molli McLam and K-9 Kobi Area with Large Source HR
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IDAHO WASHINGTON Angelica Petrovic and K-9 Sawyer Travis Hull and K-9 Cody Area with Large Source HR Trailing III
WISCONSON IDAHO Grace Salm and K-9 Bear Dave Ferguson and K-9 Lily Trailing III Area with Large Source HR
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WASHINGTON ALASKA Sally Olsen and K-9 Torr Stacey Kehne and K-9 Sally Area with Large Source HR Area with Large Source HR
WISCONSON
Grace Salm and K-9 Scout Land HRD WASHINGTON Heather Cutting and K-9 Oso AREA II
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WASHINGTON WASHINGTON JB Goessman and K-9 Phinny Sarah Stenberg and K-9 Reba Area II Trailing III
WISCONSIN WISCONSIN Cindy Schriber and K-9 Guinness Craig Christiansen and K-9 Sola Area II Area II
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ILLINOIS Cherie Parenteau and K-9 Loki Bob Shramuk and K-9 Tater Area II Area II
MONTANA
Jessica Logsdon and K-9 Kinley MICHIGAN Land HRD Mara Jessup and K-9 Kolt Area II
MICHIGAN
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Membership in NSDA ? Rhonda Dyer What is in it for you? New Testing Program Manager NSDA has great standards and fantastic Evaluators!
Testing is just a phone call or e-mail away and Evaluators can come to you. Or you can come to them. Regional testing is a chance to host or attend a testing closer to home.
Don’t forget to look at our team memberships at only $200 a year for up to 25 members, now that is a bargain. If you have more than 25 members, no problem.
I got involved in SAR in 1986 when I got a boxer puppy as a running partner and saw a poster for a local SAR group. Juba and I became CARDA Apprentices in the fall of 1986. By the summer of 1988, my dog and I were certified in Area, Land and Water Cadaver. Over the years I have served CARDA in many roles (Vice President, Policy Chair, Webmaster, and Evaluator).
I currently serve on two county teams as well as continuing as CARDA Evaluator, Webmaster, and Policy Chair. Today, I deploy with my 5th Boxer who is certified in Trailing, Land and I have been doing search and rescue since 1995 Water Cadaver. I’m currently training my and am on my third search dog. I have been a ‘retirement’ dog, a Boston Terrier, in Trailing member of NSDA so long I can’t even remember and Land Cadaver. when I joined. I’m looking forward to serving as the NSDA So please call, text, or email me; we are here for Testing Program Manager. I know that it takes you! a village, and I’m excited to be working with all Rena Ferguson, Membership Manager of you. 208-521-7754 Email me at : [email protected] I can be contacted at [email protected] SAR DOG NEWS November 2019 Page 9
Why Carry It ? Space blanket: Have you ever made a Who Needs It ? sleeping bag out of a space blanket and duct tape? It’s noisy but it does stop the wind. I Did...You Might !
I was once tasked with compiling a suggested Leather gloves: I was asked to do an HRD pack list for canine searchers. When asking for search of an area of about one acre. I could input from a variety of people, it came to my throw a stone to the parking lot. The problem attention that your search area and experience was that the acre was fifty feet or so down a not only dictates what you carry but sometimes 45° slope. They were kind enough to provide a lack of appreciation for what is used in other a rope to hold on to going down so that I parts of the country. If you have “been there, wouldn’t slip. I toughed it out but I couldn’t done that”, then you may be the only one that use my hands much for a week from the burns knows what is needed for the search across my palms. conditions in your area. The suggestion list will also contain items that you may never Duct tape: Great across your boot want to carry or use. If you are in doubt, laces to keep out the weeds; holds carry some of the items in a second duffle bag your pack together too. in your vehicle or where you can access it. Metal drinking cup and food Since this is only meant to be a suggested list prep: I have cooked up a cup of for handlers across the nation, let me outline a hot broth with my 8 oz. cup and foldable pellet few items and their use. Some of these are stove for myself and for someone we found in from my own part of the country, some were an early snowfall. Our nearest assistance was hard learned lessons, some I learned from three hours away. It tasted great. others. Measuring device, 18” minimum: Canine Water purification system: Some of the handlers are also searchers. If you locate a country we search in is extremely hot. It track in your search area where no would be next to impossible to carry enough other searchers have been, it is water for you and your canine for an eight or likely from the person you are ten hour shift. I personally am not going to looking for. Being able to describe drink out of a stream that track, its length, width, stride in any area without and markings could be invaluable running the water to the searchers the IC will put in through some sort of ahead of you to cut for sign. purification. I did that once from a crystal Two separate water containers: What clear river in Northern happens when your two quart water bladder California and two days springs a leak? Do you let your teammate later I was running a share yours? I shared all of my water once 103° temp. Giardia is and got medevac’d out because of dehydration a nasty little bug. and tachycardia.
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Waterproof permanent marker pen: This is used for marking flagging tape. You walked down an assigned road and searched each side road off of the main one. How does the next searcher know if it was checked? Put the date, time and team number on the flagging tape and hang it at the intersections.
Plastic Whistle: Lick your lips and blow your Gauze roll: Use as a bandage or as a muzzle metal whistle – when it is 25° outside. when treating a canine injury. That whistle will remain on your lips until you un-thaw it. Most whistles Dog boot: If your dog cuts his pad, bandage are now plastic. and put a boot over it for protection in order to be able to walk out. Large leaf bag: Mattress of dry grass; rain cover for your pack; ground cloth What do you carry in your pack or in a backup under your bag. duffle? Write in to SAR Dog News and let our members hear from you. Ziplock bags: Base Camp – [email protected]. Editor “Bring that shoe back into base camp when you come” or “It’s starting to rain; protect that piece Early Neutering Poses Health of evidence.” They can carry Risks for German Shepherd water also. Dogs, Study Finds Extra socks & mole skin: Feet get sweaty and rubbed, even in cool weather. If your Joint disorders, a concern in German shepherd assignment is for more than one day, take care dogs, might be less likely to occur if spaying or of your feet. neutering procedures are delayed until the dog is at least one year old, this study Long burning candle: It’s not just for light. suggests. Quick Summary: You can raise the temperature in a snow cave by 20°, if you know how to construct one. Neutering before 1 year of age triples risk of some joint Extra bulb for flashlight: I still use my AA disorders battery light and bulb. You may use an LED Urinary incontinence risks elevated and not need it. But – ooooh, that first time in female dogs spayed before your light burns out in the woods.... age 1 Previous studies also found early Wool vs cotton: Think hypothermia. If you neutering risks for golden get wet, 70° can be dangerous. retrievers and Labrador retrievers
Renowned for their intelligence, obedience and loyalty, German shepherd dogs are often the
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preferred breed for police and of age. In the same paper, joint disorders in military work, as well as popular service dogs Labrador retrievers were found to be increased and family pets. But as most handlers, by just twofold in breeders and veterinarians are aware, joint dogs spayed or disorders are a big concern in these animals. neutered in the first year. A new study in the Journal Veterinary Medicine and Science finds that neutering or spaying For this current these dogs before one year of age triples the study, researchers risk of one or more joint disorders — examined veterinary particularly for cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL hospital records over tears. a 14.5-year period on 1,170 intact and neutered (including spayed) German shepherd “Debilitating joint disorders of hip dysplasia, dogs for joint disorders and cancers previously CCL and elbow dysplasia can shorten a dog’s associated with neutering. The diseases were useful working life and impact its role as a followed through 8 years of age, with the family member,” said lead investigator exception of mammary cancer in females, Benjamin Hart, a distinguished professor which was followed through 11 years. emeritus in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. “Simply delaying the spay/neuter The dogs were classified as intact (not until the dog is a year old can markedly reduce neutered), neutered before 6 months, the chance of a joint disorder.” neutered between 6 to 11 months, or neutered between 12 to 23 months and 2 to 8 years. Dog owners in the United States typically Joint disorders and cancers are of particular choose to spay or neuter their dogs prior to 6 interest because neutering removes male and months of age, in large part to prevent pet female sex hormones that play key roles in overpopulation or hoping important body processes such as closure of to avoid unwanted bone growth plates. behaviors. In Europe, however, neutering is ! Seven percent of intact males were generally avoided by diagnosed with one or more joint owners and trainers and disorders, compared to 21 percent of not promoted by animal males neutered prior to a year of age. health authorities, Hart ! In intact females, 5 percent were said. diagnosed with one or more joint disorders, while in females neutered prior During the past decade, to 1 year of age this measure was some studies have significantly increased to 16 percent. indicated that spaying or neutering can have ! Mammary cancer was diagnosed in 4 several adverse health effects for certain dog percent of intact females compared with breeds. For example, as 2014 study published less than 1 percent in females neutered in PLoS ONE and also led by Hart, examined before 1 year of age. (The occurrence of the health records of over 1,000 golden the other cancers followed through 8 retrievers and found a surprising fourfold years of age was not higher in the increase in one or more joint disorders neutered than in the intact dogs.) associated with spay or neuter before one year
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! Urinary incontinence, not diagnosed in intact females, was diagnosed in 7 percent of females neutered before 1 year of age.
“In addition to dogs suffering pain from joint disorders, the condition may also disqualify the dog as a working partner in military and police work,” Hart said. “We hope these findings provide evidence-based guidelines for deciding the right age to neuter a puppy to reduce the risk of one or more joint disorders.”
Other researchers on this UC Davis study were: Lynette Hart and Abigail Thigpen, School of Veterinary Medicine; and Neil Willits, Department of Statistics.
The research was supported by the Canine Health Foundation and donors to the Center for Companion Animal Health.
Trina Wood 5-26-16 in Human & Animal Health UC Davis
Bodies in Concrete Tom Osterkamp 10-22-19
Summary
Missing persons and homicide investigations may lead to suspicions of a body encased in concrete, interred under a concrete slab, or behind a concrete or brick wall. The use of cadaver dogs is a non-invasive and non-destructive method used early in an investigation when handlers may be asked if their dogs can detect bodies in concrete.
Decomposition appears to be accelerated initially while the concrete cures because of higher temperatures but in the long-term, decomposition is slowed because of the insulating effects of the concrete and protection from insects. Pigs encased in concrete or concealed under a slab decompose approximately 4 to 5 times slower than those that are exposed to an open-air environment. This indicates that, when bodies are concealed with concrete, adjustments must be made to the postmortem interval to account for preservation by concrete.
Preservation can assist with identification of the victim and cause of death. In some cases, silicone finger casts of the concrete have yielded readable fingerprints and head casts have resulted in portraits that could be used for identification. Poisons or drugs in the stomach and conditions of bones can be used to infer the cause of death. A difficulty is that extreme care must be taken when removing the body from concrete to maximize the amount of information that can be determined
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from the body. X-rays, Computer Tomography and other scans and geophysical methods can help in determining the location and position of the body in concrete.
If any part of the body is exposed on the surface of concrete or the concrete covering is very thin (< 1 inch), then decomposition scent will be present which can be detected by cadaver dogs and people over the short term. One case where the body of a child was placed in a trash can which was filled with concrete, removal of the can showed a foot in the concrete and a foul odor emanated from the cement. During this time, when the smell is intense as in enclosed places, dogs may be useful in pinpointing the source. Cadaver dogs can also detect any exposed remains for much longer periods (years).
There are several cases where cadaver dogs were used to detect bodies in concrete where there was no mention of smell detectable by people. A body wrapped in foil and tape and encased in the corner of a cellar was detected by a cadaver dog nearly four months later. Another body was placed in a cavity behind a basement wall, sealed with bricks and mortar, and found eight months later by a cadaver dog. In the case of a body under the concrete floor of a basement, three small holes were made with a concrete drill to allow scent to escape. Two cadaver dogs that searched the basement independently alerted on one or more holes.
Although not commonly reported, the use of cadaver dogs for locating bodies encased in concrete, interred under a concrete slab, or behind a concrete or brick wall is a valuable search tool, minimally invasive, and inexpensive. The use of a concrete drill to penetrate the concrete slab or mass is also minimally invasive and can allow scent to escape or emplacement of an endoscope to examine the interior of the concrete.
Further reading 1. PreuB, et al. Six case reports of setting in concrete or sealing with bricks. Forensic Science International 159 (2006) 55–60. 2. Toms, et al. Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume 53, Issue 1 January 2008 Pages 203-207. 3. Ruffell, et al. Geophysical methods. Forensic Science International 237 (2014) 137–145.
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A massive mastiff rescued after getting exhausted on a mountain hike
Floyd the mastiff went for a hike with his owner up the Grandeur Peak trail near Salt Lake City on Sunday. But when it was time to come down, Floyd was too exhausted and just sat down. Thanks to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office search and rescue team, the 190-pound dog made it home by being carried back down the trail.
The rescue team was called around 6:30 p.m. after other hikers passed Floyd on the trail and saw his owner needed help. The 3-year-old dog wouldn't budge and temperatures in the area were quickly dropping, according to police.
"The team is completely volunteer," Sgt. Melody Gray of the Unified Police Department, which works with the sheriff's search and rescue team, told CNN. "They had no hesitation whatsoever, even when they heard it was a dog."
The rescue team strapped Floyd to their litter, a stretcher, and began their descent to the trailhead. The team posted video on Facebook showing the huge dog being carried across a narrow beam over a creek. "Floyd was a good boy and was happy to be assisted," the rescue team's Facebook post says.
The whole rescue took about four hours, Gray said. Amy Sandoval commented on the Facebook post, saying Floyd was her brother's dog. She said they took a wrong turn and it was difficult for them to get back on trail. Once they did, Floyd was exhausted. "My brother never left his side," SAR DOG NEWS November 2019 Page 15
THREE MONTH OLD FOUND BY K-9 she wrote. "He was going to sleep with him A Waynesboro. Georgia, woman, Carla Sousa, overnight." 32, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, endangering a child under She added that Floyd is now resting at home age 14 year, seatbelt violation on child and and getting lots of TLC. adult, failure to maintain lane, hit and run, driving while habitual violator, too fast for conditions, open container of alcohol in vehicle and cruelty to children in the first degree.
The arrest happened after Burke County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident off Highway 56 north.
The complainant told dispatch Sousa had run from the car, carrying her baby, into the wooded area near the crash after she was told police were on the way. Sousa had told the complainant she needed a ride and didn’t have a driver’s license, according to the incident report.
Deputies found Sousa’s Georgia ID, cell phone and an unsecured car seat inside the vehicle, while several baby items and an open bottle of Jagermeister liquor were found near the vehicle.
Posted by Salt Lake County Sheriff's SAR Deputy Robbie Harrison and K-9 Juna tracked the mother with her baby approximately 700- Our patient Floyd tonight being carried down 1,000 yards through brush and briars into the Grandeur Peak. heavily wooded area and found her hiding Amanda Jackson, CNN 10-14-19 under a patch of thorns.
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Hatty will join the office to provide support to children who are victims of sexual assault, according to State's Attorney Kim Foxx. "Hatty was trained to help provide comfort and relaxation while victims are in the courthouse or while they are giving their testimony.”
The baby was taken to Burke Medical Center due to numerous cuts and scratches covering her body, treated and turned over to the Burke County Division of Family and Children Services. According to the report, she was given to a family member following a home Hatty is expected to handle between 150 to check. Sousa is being held at the Burke County 200 cases each year, according to Cook Detention Center. County. She is the office's first therapy dog Sources: The True Citizen: Diana Royal 10-8-19 and was trained by inmates through the group The Augusta Chronicle, Jozsef Papp 10-7-19 called Duo, which is an assistance dogs provider and training organization based in St. Louis, Missouri. Attorney's office to provide support Source: Ella Torres Oct 31, 2019 for sexual assault victims
A state's attorney's office in Illinois has Thanksgiving Day welcomed its newest member: Hatty the black lab. The 2-year-old dog was sworn into the Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival that Cook County State's Attorney's Office, placing dates back to 1621, the year after Pilgrims her right paw over a law book during the from England arrived in Massachusetts. It took ceremony. them 66 days to reach America from England.
Only half of the 110 Pilgrims survived that first year. Many died during the first winter. The survivors turned for help to neighbouring Indians, who taught them how to plant corn and other crops. The next Autumn harvest was plentiful and inspired the Pilgrims to give thanks by holding a three-day feast.
Thanksgiving became an official national holiday when in 1863 President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November a national day of thanksgiving. SAR DOG NEWS November 2019 Page 17 KIBBLES & BITS by Susan Bulanda
Part II Depression in dogs.
In Part I we talked about a dog’s concept of death and what appears to be depression on search missions. In Part II we will follow up with a discussion about some latest research and explore what is depression vs sadness.
Researchers at Linköping University (LiU) in Sweden (www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190606102036.htm) found that the levels of long-term cortisol in the dog and its owner were the same. Owners with high cortisol levels have dogs with high cortisol levels and owners with low cortisol levels have dogs with low levels according to Ann-Sofie Sundman of the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM) at LiU, principal author of the study and a doctor of ethology.
Cortisol levels reflect stress levels. What the study shows is that, if the dog’s owner is stressed, the dog reflects stress. The dog will do this without a direct understanding of what is causing the stress in its owner.
We have all seen this in our dogs and other pets, as well as the pets of friends and family members. A human family member or a companion pet dies and the remaining dog (and other pets) act in a way that we interpret as depression or grief. I am certain that they miss the family member but is it sadness/grief or depression. Or, as this study indicates, a reflection of the stress of the owner?
In the case of working dogs, especially in disaster situations, the handler is always on an adrenalin high, which is extreme stress. Our SAR dogs are deeply in tune with our emotions. This is true on any search where time is of the essence to try to save a life.
Often in that situation the handler will over work him or herself and the dog. That coupled with the reflection of the handler’s stress can cause a dog to partly shut down. A good SAR dog will continue to work, but after the mission is finished, either for the shift or if the mission is terminated, the dog may show what the handler interprets as depression.
But is it depression or exhaustion coupled with a reaction to the handler’s state of mind? Could it be a letdown of the adrenaline high that we get on a mission? Dogs get this high as well as humans. It is partly what keeps us going when we need to.
There is a danger in assuming that the dog’s behavior is depression, the handler may overlook physical symptoms of injury or ingested toxic or noxious substances. Keep in mind that physical injury can include internal problems that are not visible. Never assume that a change in behavior is emotional.
To help handlers assess what is going on with their dog they should honestly evaluate their own feelings on a search. Sometimes it is hard to know your own feelings so asking a trusted teammate SAR DOG NEWS November 2019 Page 18
may help. This is where a debriefing that includes a discussion about the emotional state of those who participated in the mission is valuable. Sometimes we need hindsight to realize what we were feeling. My husband Larry and I experience this when my son Tom was a Marine fighting in Iraq when the fighting was the worst. He was in the infantry and in fire fights, kicking doors down etc. It wasn’t until Tom came home that Larry and I realized how tense and stressed we had been the whole time he was in Iraq. While we were fearful/concerned while he was in Iraq, we did not feel our stress until he came home, and we relaxed. So an emotional debriefing after the search is very beneficial. Once you establish how you felt, then you can compare it to how your dog reacted.
Studying your dog’s behavior when not on a search may also give you clues as to what your dog is feeling. Keep in mind that dogs feel sadness, disappointment, confusion, anger, fear, happiness and most of the same feelings that we feel. At least they behave in a way that we interpret as those feelings. Some are obvious, such as happiness. No one can deny when a dog is happy. But feelings of sadness, grief and depression are difficult to observe since they can manifest themselves in the same way. In humans feeling sad is normal. Depression goes deeper or is more intense and lasts longer. How can we judge that in a dog?
Think of this situation. A famous Akita in Japan would go the train station every day to meet his owner. One day the man died and did not come home. For the next ten years, (the rest of his life), Hachikó the Akita, would go the train station to wait for his owner. What was the dog feeling? Why did he do this? Was this depression, sadness, anticipation, or not giving up hope? It is interesting to speculate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJxgu8TtIWI
I have seen dogs who missed a family member for a prolonged period. A dog’s love for a companion either animal or human can be very deep. We will never know how deep their feelings can go. But is it depression or prolonged sadness?
In very rare cases a dog will starve to death at the loss of a family. I researched one such case for my book Faithful Friends: Holocaust Survivors Stories of the Pets Who Gave Them Comfort, Suffered Alongside Them and Waited for Their Return, but this is not a common occurrence. I would feel safe to say in this case the dog was depressed or deeply grieved. However, many of the other dogs who were separated from their families did not die or starve.
In conclusion I feel that some dogs can get depressed, but I do not feel that it is common. I do not see evidence that dogs mourn the loss of human life when the people mean nothing to the dog. I feel that what we see in our dogs in those situations is exhaustion and a reflection of the handler’s emotions. But we will never know for sure, will we?
NOTE: If you have had a situation where you think your dog was depressed, send me all the details and maybe I will put it in an article with comments to share for discussions. Send a photo of you and your dog if you want that included.
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How to Adopt a Retired Police Dog
Police dogs want, and deserve, comfort and quality time with their loved ones when they retire from law enforcement. But for K-9s who have spent their lives pursuing bad guys, tracking down a home doesn’t always come easy.
Fortunately, organizations like Houston-based Mission K9 Rescue are dedicated to placing retired police and military working dogs into loving, responsible homes where they can live out their days in well-deserved peace and quiet.
But it wasn’t always this way. Before Bill Clinton signed Robby’s Law into effect in 2000, military and police dogs that weren’t adopted by their trainers, handlers, or other service members were euthanized upon retirement. But now, organizations like Mission K9 Rescue are working to make these heroic canines adoptable for civilians. Their mission is to “Rescue, Reunite, Re-Home, Rehabilitate and Repair any retired working dog that has served mankind in some capacity.”
Those interested in adopting a retired police dog must be suitable. Your home must meet acceptable standards, which vary based on the type of dog to be placed. You must also prove that you are stable and have plenty of time to devote to your new canine. Keep in mind that most retired K-9s are German shepherds and Belgian malinois and are typically older in age. Due to their age and former occupation , they may require more health care. Also these The organization is based in Houston, Texas breeds require a strong hand especially and have satellite offices in San Antonio and considering their law enforcement training. Los Angeles. From these locations they provide assistance and support for Working Dogs For more information, visit worldwide. MissionK9Rescue operates under www.MissionK9Rescue.org the laws of the State of Texas. Sources: Yahoo.com, Southern Living
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Military dog wounded chasing al-Baghdadi is already back on the job
Sit! Slay!
Conan is a female Military Work Dog in the United States Delta Force. She is a Belgian Malinois and was named after Conan O’Brien, the late night talk show host.
K-9 Conan took part in the Barisha raid which resulted in the death of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on October 27, 2019.
She chased al-Baghdadi down before he detonated his suicide vest, killing himself and three of his kids, causing a small cave-in — and wounding his furry pursuer. But amazingly, Conan has already been cleared to return to service, Pentagon officials said Monday. When announcing al-Baghdadi's death on Sunday, Mr.
K-9 Conan Trump hailed the "beautiful" and "talented" dog for its heroism, noting that no U.S. service members were hurt or killed in the operation.
President Trump on Monday afternoon tweeted a photo of the four-legged hero, clad in what appears to be a camouflage harness and with its tongue lolling out of its mouth. Sources: 10-28-19 workingdog magazine; WIKIPEDIA
How conservation dogs help track endangered species
Ashley Strickland, CNN 10-30-19
Dogs and their sensitive noses are known for finding people during search and rescue efforts, sniffing out drugs and even diseases like cancer. But the powerful canine nose can also act like radar for other things that are hidden from our sight. Now, they're acting like watchdogs for endangered species and assisting with conservation efforts. Organizations like Working Dogs for Conservation train dogs to identify the scents of endangered animals and their droppings, which helps scientists track species that may be declining.
Seamus, a trained detection dog, alerts his handler to the presence of scat.
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The blunt-nosed leopard lizard is a fully protected species in California. It's endangered because its habitat has been destroyed. Surveying the species and their habitat can help scientists to understand if existing conservation efforts are helping. Over four years, scientists took the dogs out to the desert to detect and collect samples. The dogs would signal their discovery by laying down next to the scat. Then, they would be He couldn't hack it as a drug-sniffing dog. Now he's rewarded by a toy or play session. conservation's best friend.
Tracking animal scat, or fecal matter, can reveal where endangered species live, how many of them are living in an area and what might be threatening them. And it's a less stressful way of monitoring species than trapping and releasing them.
Previously, conversation dogs have successfully tracked the San Joaquin kit fox, gray wolves, The endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard cougars, bobcats, moose, river otters, American minks, black-footed ferrets and even According to the study, the dogs worked the North Atlantic right whale, according to a between one and two hours a day from the new study published Wednesday in the Journal end of April to mid-May. The dogs went out of Wildlife Management. with survey teams when the lizards would emerge from brumation, otherwise known as In the new study, scientists trained reptile hibernation,. The dogs were trained not conservation dogs to focus on a new kind of to approach the lizards if they saw them. Over animal: reptiles. They wanted to track the four years, they collected 327 samples and elusive and endangered blunt-nosed leopard 82% of them were confirmed as belonging to lizard in the San Joaquin Valley. (CA.) The blunt-nosed leopard lizards. experienced conservation dogs, including one female German shepherd and two male border The researchers believe this method of collies, were trained to detect the scent of the tracking has potential and now they want to lizard's scat. refine the method to see if it will work on a larger scale. "So many reptilian species have Then, the scientists could retrieve the samples been hit so hard," said Mark Statham, lead and determine the gender, population study author and associate researcher with the genetics, diet, hormones, parasites, habitat use Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit of and health of the lizards. Humans have a the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "A difficult time identifying such small samples by large proportion of them are endangered or sight because they are hard to distinguish from threatened. This is a really valuable way for the environment. They can also be very similar people to be able to survey them." to other scat. SAR DOG NEWS November 2019 Page 22
George H. W. Bush's Former Service Dog Sully to Be Honored with His Own Statue in Texas
George H. W. Bush’s former service dog became a household name last year after a photo of the Labrador guarding the late president’s coffin appeared on the canine’s Instagram account on December 2. The heartbreaking shot of Sully mourning his owner put a spotlight on the short but special friendship the former president and the service dog shared. Sully was matched with Bush in June 2018 to serve as a companion to him following several hospitalizations.
The loyalty Sully showed to Bush has made an impression on countless animal lovers and now it will be immortalized. Sully is getting his own bronze statue in the east wing of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas. According to America’s VetDogs, the nonprofit that trained and placed Sully with Bush, the statue will feature Sully in a sit position with his leash in his mouth, “depicting the ‘retrieve’ task VetDogs trains” their dogs to perform. The statue of Sully will also show the canine wearing his official America’s VetDogs service dog vest with the Great Seal of the United States on the back.
While his statue is in the works, Sully is continuing to help others by working as a hospital corpsman second class and facility dog at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he comforts injured veterans and their families and also assists with rehabilitation center sessions.
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Canine Archaeologists Sniff Out 3,000-Year-Old Graves in Croatia
Dogs have helped law enforcement and search-and-rescue crews discover human remains for decades. But recently, a new group has enlisted the help of canines and their olfactory superpowers: archaeologists.
In a recent paper in the Journal of Archeological Method and Theory, Vedrana Glavaš, an archaeologist at the University of Zadar in Croatia and Andrea Pintar, a cadaver dog handler, describe how dogs that are trained to find human remains helped them track down gravesites dating to around 700 B.C.
For The Guardian, Joshua Rapp Learn reports that the team tested the dogs at a hilltop fort called Drvišica along Croatia’s Adriatic coast. Previously, Glavaš had identified tombs in a necropolis near the fort and wanted to find more. However, the irregular, rocky terrain made it difficult to randomly excavate suspected burial sites. So, in 2015, she decided to contact Pintar, who trains human remains detection dogs typically used in criminal cases.
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Cadaver dogs are champions at finding remains that are hours and even several decades old.. But the team wasn’t sure if sensitive canine noses could detect the scent of death (actually, the more than 400 scents of death; decomposition releases hundreds of complex compounds) after 2,700 years in the ground.
To test the dogs, Glavaš had them sniff around an area where they she had excavated three grave sites the year before. The human remains had been removed and, due to weathering, it was no longer apparent where the excavations had taken place. Two dogs, working independently, easily located all three spots.
They then allowed the dogs, Sattve and Mali, to sniff around another site where they suspected there were more graves. The dogs located six of the unique graves, which consist of a small stone burial chest containing small finger and toe bones and a few small artifacts surrounded by a walled stone circle. The paper describes five of those graves. The dogs located others, however, due to limited resources, Glavaš has not yet excavated those sites.
The study is a proof of concept that dogs could be used more extensively in archaeology as a non- destructive method of finding human burials, especially in rocky areas, like Drvišica, where ground- penetrating radar isn’t feasible. “Many archaeologists are looking for burial sites of settlements,” Glavaš tells Rapp Learn. “I think dogs can solve their problems.”
But cadaver dogs can be hard to come by. Most are trained by volunteers who work with law enforcement when their services are needed. The dogs undergo a rigorous eighteen-month to two- year training protocol before they are able to work in the field. But once they are ready for service, they are incredibly accurate and only seek out the scent of human remains. (Though occasionally they will alert to pig bones, which are often used in their training.) “This method is excellent because dogs locate the scent of a decayed human body, which is specific to human beings,” Glavaš tells Joe Orovic at Total Croatia News. “No other creature smells like a human.”
In an interview with blogger, Ann Marie Ackermann, Pintar says she does not believe the age of the bone matters as much as the environment in which it is found. Moisture, sunlight, and temperature all impact how much scent remains will give off. She says she believes the graves in Drvišica were relatively easy for the dogs to find since the bodies were laid on slabs of limestone. As they decomposed, the scent compounds leached into the rock, which has trapped them for centuries.
This is not the first time dogs have been used in archaeology, though it is by no means a common practice. In 2012, an Australian dog named Migaloo was hailed as the first trained “archaeology dog,” taught to pinpoint the scent of human bones and
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was able to detect a 600-year-old Aboriginal grave. Another dog named Fabel currently works with Swedish archaeologist Sophie Vallulv, who decided to investigate working with dogs during graduate school. Fabel has located bones up to 1,600 years old at a depth of five feet. But Vallulv believes that’s likely not the limit of Fabel’s capabilities.
The use of archaeology dogs is even happening in the United States. Last year, archaeologists with the Kettle Creek Battlefield Association, which oversees the Revolutionary War battle sites in Georgia, called in cadaver dogs to survey the area and locate the makeshift graves of fallen soldiers. The dogs located over two dozen graves. While the graves did not contain teeth or buttons—telltale signs of the men laid to rest there— ground penetrating radar did show they were shallow pits surrounded by rocks. It’s likely all traces of the bodies once in them decomposed over 240 years.
As the dogs prove themselves in the field, Durham University archaeologist Angela Perri, who was not involved in the study, tells Rapp Learn that using dogs is a promising technique, especially if dogs could find bones hundreds or thousands of years old.
“It would be interesting to push the boundaries on that and see just how old you could get,” she says. “It seems like a pretty great way to move forward in archaeology.”
Read more: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dogs-archaeologists-detect-3000-year-old-graves- croatia-180973409/#dHOiepO5YO4RXW0W.99 Jason Daley 10-25-19 Smithsonian.com; SMARTNEWS
The Smithsonian Institution publisher of Smithsonian Magazine
The Smithsonian is a group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government. It was founded on August 10, 1846, "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge". The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson.
Termed "the nation's attic" for its eclectic holdings of 154 million items, the Institution's 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and zoo include
The Castle, the Smithsonian's first building and is still its historical and architectural landmarks, mostly headquarters located in Washington D.C. Additional facilities are located in Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York City, Pittsburgh, Texas, Virginia and Panama.
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108 tests have been given so far in 2019.
There are currently 1,543 subscribers to the NSDA newsletter.
Urban Trailing Standards discussion continues.
The next Board Meeting will take place by SYNOPSIS conference call on Thursday, December 5. of November 7 Board Meeting
Ann Moser has been named as the new Land HRD Workshop Coordinator.
Two motions were made by email in October:
1. A motion was made that we return to our original system of all bills being NSDA Board of Directors submitted to the test organizer or team OFFICERS leader who then submits them to NSDA Adam Kelly, President & CEO, MI for reimbursement. Motion carried, [email protected] unanimously. Roy Pescador, Executive VP, Canada 2. A motion was made to update the [email protected] Testing Administrator’s job description. Julie Grinnell, Corporate Secretary, MI Motion carried, unanimously. [email protected] Norma Snelling, Chief Financial Officer, WA Two motions were also made during the Board [email protected] Meeting: DIRECTOR Sherry Scruggs, GA 1. A motion was made to change non- [email protected] member field testing fee to $100.00 st effective January 1 . Motion carried, unanimously. FOUNDING MEMBERS— 2. A motion was made to add up to $200 potential reimbursement per Regional K-9 Thor, Eileen M. Nobles, Susan Bulanda, K-9 Testing event for testing costs to event Roo, Leslie Godchaux, Brian R. Hendrickson, organizers, i.e. park/facilities rental not Continental Kennel Club, Inc., K-9 River, K-9 to include food, hotels, or expenses for Persha; Jan Thompson, K-9 Cali, Peggy Ann Evaluators. Motion carried, unanimously. Buchman; K-9 Geist
Several more applicants have started the Evaluator apprenticeship process, including two for Disaster.
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THE LAST HOWL By Sue Wolff
Opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of the National Search Dog Alliance.
We often talk about the way people behave during the holiday season and wish that they could be this way all year long. They’re nice. They smile a lot. They’re chatty and even polite, most of the time. And they wish everyone - even strangers - a Happy Thanksgiving.
All it takes for us humans to remain in the spirit of the holidays is a change in attitude. Instead of fussing about the early – or late - hour of the search, show up with a congenial attitude toward all the searchers, greeting them as appropriate to the type of search i.e. serious about doing your job right and finding the missing person and/or body.
And be thankful it’s not a member of your family but hope that there will be searchers like these who showed up in the snow, rain, hail, sleet, high wind, etc. to bring your missing one home safely. And if that’s not possible, to bring the body home so it can be buried and so you’ll have a place to mourn.
Give thanks for the: breeder for producing quality dogs and helping you select one good for SAR. trainer for educating you and your K-9 so you can be an effective SAR K-9 team. team for excepting you as a member, providing training and networking within the SAR community. team leader for providing guidance and effective management of a callout and at a search scene. K-9 for being willing to learn, obeying, being dependable, accurate, loving and kind. NSDA for providing effective certifications with testing, an umbrella organization for teams and their members, a resource list for agencies looking for nationally certified SAR K-9 and handler for a search, education for the new handler as well as continuing education for all.
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WANT A TEST IN YOUR AREA?
3–9 HANDLERS TESTING? Less than 10 tests? You may be eligible for up to $300 in grant money from NSDA to bring in an Evaluator(s).
6 OR MORE HANDLERS TESTING? 10 or more tests? We may pay up to $500 in travel expenses for each Evaluator giving three or more tests. Invite your team or anyone in your area.
Field Test: $35.00 for members, $100.00 for non-members. Go to www.n-sda.org and check the top banner for “Testing” Or if you need a test, contact Karen Nesbit at [email protected].
FREEBIE! List your Tests, Training Seminars, and Conferences in the SAR Dog News at no cost to you
REACH OVER 1,540 SAR K-9 HANDLERS Contact Norma Snelling at: [email protected]
TESTS 2019 Topic Location Contact
December
Sharon 8-10 Land HRD Kelso, WA [email protected] Ward
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The seminars listed below are not sponsored by NSDA. These seminars have not been reviewed by NSDA and their listing should not be construed as an endorsement or sanction. NSDA retains the right to not post seminars where we have heard complaints of animal abuse or excessive foul language.
TRAINING SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES
2019 Topic Location Contact
December International. Tallahassee, 16-19 Dogs and Coordinator https://scentevidencek9.com/dogs-and-drones-training/ FL Drones 2020 Topic Location Contact January Working Dog 24-26 Lucas, IA Coordinator www.K9sensus.org Foundations April Clandestine 20-22 Lucas, IA Coordinator www.K9sensus.org Graves HRD 24-26 Lucas, IA Coordinator www.K9sensus.org Scenarios May Dick Staal Canon City, https://www.caninetrainingacademy.com/dickstaalseminar 5-10 foundation Coordinator CO tracking Dick Staal Canon City, 11-14 advanced Coordinator https://www.caninetrainingacademy.com/dickstaalseminar CO tracking Mass Camp 15-17 casualty Coordinator www.K9sensus.org Dodge, IA searching Basic 20-22 forensic Lucas, IA Coordinator www.K9sensus.org scenarios June HRD 12-14 foundations Lucas, IA Coordinator www.K9sensus.org large source Burials, basic 16-18 Lucas, IA Coordinator www.K9sensus.org Washington [email protected] Ellensburg, 19-21 State SAR Coordinator WA Conf.
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September Forensics, 13-16 Lucas, IA Coordinator www.K9sensus.org advanced October Burials, 12-14 Lucas, IA Coordinator www.K9sensus.org advanced HRD 16-18 advanced Lucas, IA Coordinator www.K9sensus.org scenarios