K9 Units
MSART currently has five operational K9 units (dog and handler) and some dogs in-training. It takes approximately two to three years to train a dog to operational status in Search and Rescue. Using their highly developed sense of smell, these dogs are trained to locate the scent of humans as the scent is conveyed in the air (airscent) or on a foot path (trailing).
The team coordinates at least two team K9 trainings per month, along with some classroom work. Handlers also schedule at least one informal training per week in smaller groups. All K9 units must reach a required standard and pass rigorous certification evaluations conducted at the team and state level. All K9 units must pass a series of team certifications and also state and/or nationally sanctioned certification tests (e.g. IPWDA, NAPWDA, NSASAR, FEMA). All operational K9 units must also pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test.
In order to train a canine with MSART, an individual must first qualify as a searcher, which may take up to a year to achieve.
The team coordinates at least two team K9 trainings per month, along with some classroom work. Handlers also schedule at least one informal training per week in smaller groups. All K9 units must reach a required standard and pass rigorous certification evaluations conducted at the team and state level. All K9 units must pass a series of team certifications and also state and/or nationally sanctioned certification tests (e.g. IPWDA, NAPWDA, NSASAR, FEMA). All operational K9 units must also pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test.
In order to train a canine with MSART, an individual must first qualify as a searcher, which may take up to a year to achieve.
MSART K9 Unit Profiles, 2013
Kathryn and Kode, Hawk
Handler: Kathryn Bamford
K9: Kode (Golden Retriever)
K9 Certs: NYSFEDSAR Airscent & HRD, NASAR Canine SARTECH III - Area, IPWDA Advanced HRD, IPWDA Disaster First Responder (2006-2008)
Handler Certs: NASAR SARTECH II, NYS DEC Crew Boss, NYS DEC Searcher I, MSART Team Leader, MLSO, Mantracking, NFPA Swiftwater Awareness, CPR/WFA, LPB
Time with MSART: Kathryn (10 years), Kode (operational 8 years)
K9: Kode (Golden Retriever)
K9 Certs: NYSFEDSAR Airscent & HRD, NASAR Canine SARTECH III - Area, IPWDA Advanced HRD, IPWDA Disaster First Responder (2006-2008)
Handler Certs: NASAR SARTECH II, NYS DEC Crew Boss, NYS DEC Searcher I, MSART Team Leader, MLSO, Mantracking, NFPA Swiftwater Awareness, CPR/WFA, LPB
Time with MSART: Kathryn (10 years), Kode (operational 8 years)
K9: Hawk (Golden Retriever)
K9 Certs: IPWDA Basic HRD, IPWDA Advanced HRD, IPWDA Basic Wilderness Airscent
K9 Certs: IPWDA Basic HRD, IPWDA Advanced HRD, IPWDA Basic Wilderness Airscent
Tim and Viper, Jack
Handler: Tim Groth
K9: Jack (Yellow Labrador Retriever)
K9 Certs (Jack): IPWDA Basic HRD, IPWDA Advanced HRD
Handler Certs: NASAR SARTECH II, NYS DEC Crew Boss, MSART Team Leader, Swiftwater Awareness, CPR/WFA
Time with MSART: Tim (9 years), Viper (operational 4 years), Jack (3 years)
K9: Jack (Yellow Labrador Retriever)
K9 Certs (Jack): IPWDA Basic HRD, IPWDA Advanced HRD
Handler Certs: NASAR SARTECH II, NYS DEC Crew Boss, MSART Team Leader, Swiftwater Awareness, CPR/WFA
Time with MSART: Tim (9 years), Viper (operational 4 years), Jack (3 years)
Viper
K9: Viper (ChocolateLabrador Retriever)
K9 Certs: IPWDA Basic HRD, IPWDA Advanced HRD, NYSFEDSAR Airscent & Cadaver
K9 Certs: IPWDA Basic HRD, IPWDA Advanced HRD, NYSFEDSAR Airscent & Cadaver
Dana and Libby
Handler: Dana Mallaber
K9: Libby (Labrador Retriever)
K9 Certs: NYSFEDSAR Airscent & HRD NASAR Canine SARTECH II - Area, IPWDA Advanced HRD, IPWDA Water Recovery
Handler Certs: NASAR SARTECH II, NYS DEC Searcher I, MSART Team Leader, Mantracking (Joel Hardin course), CPR/FA
Time with MSART: Dana (7 years), Libby (operational 4 years)
K9: Libby (Labrador Retriever)
K9 Certs: NYSFEDSAR Airscent & HRD NASAR Canine SARTECH II - Area, IPWDA Advanced HRD, IPWDA Water Recovery
Handler Certs: NASAR SARTECH II, NYS DEC Searcher I, MSART Team Leader, Mantracking (Joel Hardin course), CPR/FA
Time with MSART: Dana (7 years), Libby (operational 4 years)
In Memorial
Jordi (2002 - 2011)
Jordi served as a vital and effective component of our team's K9 response capabilities for over six years. He was a working dog of the highest caliber and participated in dozens of missions. Jordi died suddenly after being diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. We will remember him fondly and forever.