Search & Rescue Subject for K9 Trainings

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Do you like dogs? Or want to get more comfortable around dogs? Do you want to serve your community and get out in the fresh air?

We have a continuous need for volunteers to serve as "missing" or "lost" subjects for training K9's for seach and rescue. We primarily serve the Chester County, Pa area and surrounding areas.

As a subject, you will attend one of our K9 training sessions. They are held throughout the county in various locations, usually on weekends or evenings. Sessions are 3-4 hrs not counting travel time. We train all year round.

Depending on the K9's and handlers in attendance several things may be asked of you. You might just "lay a trail" for a tracking dog to follow. It might be short, 1/8 of a mile to a long trail, 2 miles. You sit and wait to be found. These might be trails in urban areas like West Chester, Malvern, Kennett Square or Phoenixville. They might on public parklands or deep in the woods.

You may be placed somewhere in a hidden location or deep in the woods where again, you sit and wait to be found either by a K9 or a ground searching team.

We train in all types of weather conditions. You'll be outside the majority of the time with limited shelter in many cases. We provide all the bug spray and sunscreen you might want. The rest is on you.

We love to have a variety of people for the K9's to train with. All races, all ages. All our dogs are friendly and lovable.

You should be in reasonably good health. Able to walk 2-3 miles comfortably during the course of a 3-4 training session. You should be comfortable in the woods and be prepared for wet weather. Sturdy hiking boots for the woods and comfortable walking shoes for urban trails are needed. Wet feet can be a distinct possibility if you are not prepared.

Ticks and poison ivy are always a possibility if you aren't careful. We take the utmost precautions to make sure you remain safe though!

We try to limit a volunteer to about 1-5 training sessions a year. It's not good for the dogs to always be finding the same person over and over!

If you ever thought about getting into K9 SAR work, this is a great way to come out and see what it is all about!