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: Pneumo

Discipline: HRD

Status: Mission Ready

Handler:  Juanita Smith

K9: Riley

Discipline: HRD

Status: Mission Ready

Handler:  Anne Marie Cullen

K9: Zara

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.