K-9 Heroes

IN MEMORIUM OF OUR K-9 HEROES

What is a hero? One definition says:
"someone who faces danger and adversity and displays courage for the greater good of all humanity"
Our K-9 partners work often in adverse conditions. They are at times challenged with tasks most dogs never see in their lifetimes. And they do it without complaint. They work through pain, they work through illness. And even when they are no longer able to, they still want to work. Someone once said that losing your K-9 partner is like losing your heart. It is. Often you'll find a searcher holding onto their dog, comforted by the wonder of that amazing creature who has offered themselves for our greater good. Thank you seems hardly enough, but often, that is all we can say.
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K-9 Ranger was born on May 8, 2007. Ranger was a Yellow Lab from Sauk River Lab lines. After rehabbing from Triple Pelvic Osteotomy surgery on both hips, he was able to begin his search training. Although he had the nickname of "Ranger Danger", he was really a sweet boy and was able to take direction easily. He received his AKC Canine Good Citizen quickly, and then on to SAR training where Ranger earned his first HRD certification from the North American Police Dog Association (NAPWDA) and later with the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). He certified under two different handlers during his career. Prior to his retirement, he was able assist in closing a missing person case for law enforcement. Ranger was also a certified through Therapy Dogs International and spent his retirement continuing to serve as a therapy dog. Ranger crossed the Rainbow Bridge on July 18, 2019.

Thank you Ranger - you served long and well.

K-9 Jael was a purebred German Shepherd born in 2008, donated from a breeder in Connecticut of European bloodlines. Jael started her SAR career training for Air Scent, however after attending a Law Enforcement Training Specialist (LETS) workshop, her handler realized what Jael's true calling was - HRD. By two years of age, she had dual certifications for HRD from LETS and North American Police Work Dog Assoc (NAPWDA). She remained certified under multiple certifying agencies for land and water HRD, as well as USAR (Disaster), and deployed on many, many searches during her career. She was a workaholic and loved nothing more than to search, working through a green fracture, slashed pad, and more. In November of 2016, during a search, Jael had a fall that caused multiple medical issues over the next year, however she still managed to recertify with LETS and also to make a recovery during that time. In November of 2017, a year after the fall, Jael was lost to us from traumatic brain injury. She never had to retire, and spent her entire life doing what she loved to do. During that lifetime, short as it was, she helped bring home the missing multiple times.
Thank you Jael - you were the epitomy of a working dog.

K-9 Ariel was a purebred German Shepherd born in 2002. From Aitkin, MN, he earned two different nicknames from his SAR family: Fun Police and His Royal Highness. In reality, Ari could have fun, but he was far more serious than most of the dogs in our unit. A dog with a strong work ethic, Ari certified in Scent Specific Air Scent, as well as Land and Water Cadaver. While he loved to trail, he never did certify in that discipline. Ari was an instant magnet for small children, even those afraid of dogs. He just had a way with kids and would get wiggly when he heard their voices. Ari suffered several major health crisis over his lifetime, coming back from each to work again. In the fall of 2013, however, liver failure brought an end to his long career of helping to bring home the missing. He retired to enjoy life, which for him meant training whenever he could; he still loved his job. In February of 2014, Ari was given the MVMA Professional Animal of the Year award, and just five short months later, we lost him. His great heart finally stilled. Ari served for eleven years as a SAR dog, his most impressive find was in the Boundary Waters, where he located a drowning victim 90 feet below the surface of the water.
Thank you Ari - you will hold a special places always.

K-9 Gus was adopted from HART Humane Society in Brainerd, MN. From the start he was a character who won hearts just by being himself. Gus, although clearly a mutt, developed his own fan club at AKC shows. People would come to the CLSAR booth just to see him. His nickname was the "Happy Cadaver Dog" because when he was working, he had a smile as big as the great outdoors on his face. He was always bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but when he was working, his commitment to his job was extraordinary. He loved doing demos when he was the center of attention, and yes, he was a bit of a ham. In 2010, Gus began having physical problems. Although a number of things were attempted to help extend his time with us, in January of 2011, Gus was put to rest, going peacefully in his handler's arms. Gus was only in SAR a few short years, but in that time he worked over 30 searches, gave many demos, and won many hearts. The best memorial he received was from the Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen he worked with who had tears in their eyes when told of his passing
Thank you Gus - you are greatly missed.