K9 Search Unit
The Team’s K9’s are an indispensable part of Search and Rescue Operations & saving lives. Handlers invest a great deal of time, money & effort into training these furry heroes. Initial training to meet the rigorous standards of CARDA & CAL OES in one or more disciplines before becoming “Mission Ready” (certified), can take up to three years.
Meet Our K9 Team and Their Handlers
K9: Ember
Discipline: Air Scent / Area
Status: Mission Ready
Handler: Anne Marie Cullen
K9: Keagan
Discipline: Trailing & HRD
Status: Retired
Handler: Shirley Smith
K9: Miko
Discipline: Air Scent / Area
Status: Mission Ready
Handler: Kerrie Valdiviezo
K9: Nala
Discipline: HRD
Status: Mission Ready
Handler: Anne Marie Cullen
K9: Nico
Discipline: HRD
Status: In Training
Handler: Sheila Malavasi
K9: Pneumo
Discipline: HRD
Status: Mission Ready
Handler: Juanita Smith
K9: Riley
Discipline: HRD
Status: Mission Ready
Handler: Anne Marie Cullen
K9: Whitney
Discipline: Trailing
Status: In Training
Handler: Jill Hall
California Rescue Dog Association Certification
The use of dogs as a search tool has significantly enhanced SBCSAR's ability to find lost or missing persons. The dogs are trained in at least one of three disciplines: Area Search, Trailing, and Human Remains Detection (HRD). The K9 Unit is certified in all disciplines by the California Rescue Dog Association.
