Search and Rescue dogs are trained
for a variety of specific situations

Wilderness Search: These dogs search out a missing person who has gone lost in the woods. They are given a scent sample of the missing person, and assigned a specific area to cover.

Water Search: The Water Search dog works to find drowning victims, sniffing out human scent which rises to the surface. Newfoundland's and Labrador's, both excellent swimmers, often specialize in Water Search.

Urban Search: These dogs are trained to follow an individual human scent within highly populated areas, blocking out the distractions of the city.

Disaster Search: Disaster Search dogs work in emergency situations like earthquakes, floods, explosions, fires, train wrecks, plane crashes, tornadoes and other disasters. This is a dangerous and difficult job - physically and emotionally. It is distressing for the dog, and its handler, to find victims who have died. The handler must be aware to keep the dog's spirits up in these horrific and chaotic circumstances.

Lifesaving Group: This group of SAR Dogs are specially trained to save lives in water and snow, and are most often St. Bernard's and Newfoundland's. These breeds are large enough (100 - 150 pounds) to pull and lead humans to safety, or to lie down next to victims and keep them warm while help is on the way.