D'Artagnan's SAR Evaluation

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evergano

Inactive Member
Well I don't post in here too often, and was devistated to see it down, but now that its back, I will try to be more faithful!

D'Artagnan and I applied to a local search and rescue organization. I have made it through the initial interview and the classroom and field orientation.

Tonight, D'Artagnan got to strut his stuff and I coudn't have been more proud. The evaluators seemed impressed and said he was very motivated and had a lot of drive. They asked a lot of breed specific questions.

I didn't want to count my chickens, but we will know for certain if we made it, by this Saturday. I didn't think soliciting some good thoughts for us could hurt at this point!

The training he will recieve, if accepted is Wildnerness Air Scent. I eventually want to train for water cadaver, but this will get our foot in the door hopefully!

EV
 
sarnewfie

sarnewfie

New member
Oh that is fantastic!!!
one thing i learned, a dog cannot do all of the areas of SAR unless they are individually fit for it, some only special in two things, so what, at least they excell at those two things, best wishes and good luck, please post your progress with us :D
 
D

dogger

New member
How exciting for you!! Our local SAR group is not taking on new volunteers, but we are on the waiting list. Keep us posted on how D'artagnan is progressing.
 
sarnewfie

sarnewfie

New member
Ev
a good book to have on hand is "Ready" written by Susan Bulanda
also a good book i could not put down and read it in two days is
"So that others may live"
written about caroline hebbard by....i cant recall! LOL i think hank whittmore

[ 05-30-2003, 03:37 PM: Message edited by: sarnewfie ]
 
E

evergano

Inactive Member
Thank you everyone and thank you for the book recommendations sar.
I am on pins and needles. :eek: This group is the primary group for the state and all of their certified dogs are certified by the state as well. They are extrememly particular and used extensively by local sherrifs in two states, so if we don't make it I won't be too hard on myself. They only accept applications once a year and we have been waiting for six months. We should know the results by 10 AM tomorrow. If we dont' make it, I know it won't be because of D'Artagnan, they really liked him!
 
sarnewfie

sarnewfie

New member
Let us know as soon as you find out! i am excited for you, and our unit only took apps once a year also!
it is a tonn of work, but well worthwhile, hopefully your group wont be breed prejudiced.
ours was, they mostly only put out the GSD and Bloodhounds :(
i had many people compliment emmett, he was the top of the class according to many of the members, but....
it just seems the sherrif dept here had the "good ole boy" mentality.
they specifically asked for the GSD or Bloodhounds.
:(
 
R

Rompin

Inactive Member
Is there somewhere I can go to find out how to contact A local search and rescue in my area?
What are the common requirements for S&R units?
 
sarnewfie

sarnewfie

New member
Type North American Search Dog Network
and
Type
North American Search And Rescue, into your search bar two seperate organizations
you can find tonns of info there.

[ 06-02-2003, 06:47 AM: Message edited by: sarnewfie ]
 
E

evergano

Inactive Member
Argh!
Here is the update. I was told I would get a call Saturday, and that turned out to be another interview. During that interview I was told there would be a board meeting Monday night after which we would get an email. Well Monday had two little boys go missing AND two little girls as well as another missing person. With three back-to-back searches, the board didn't have time to meet. (I did see them on the news!) Tonight they will be making the final decision and I will get an answer tomorrow ... I hope!


D'Artagnan and I have been working on recall's and run aways in the mean time. I never thought he would really have the right stuff (he's kinda goofy, assertive and slow), but he transitioned from seeking his ball to seeking a person then getting his ball with no probs.

One good point is that I know I would be with a highly regarded and frequently called out search group!
 
sarnewfie

sarnewfie

New member
hang in there.
when i worked my newfs, they were not intense as the GSD or bloodhounds.
but...
they were working and with such enthusiasm sometimes it seemed they were goofing around, when really they were working, and always found their mark, one time we were on a mock search with a mobile victim, jason was backing me up, the first time i met him, he didnt really know newfs could work, emmett was working his area, and hit each marker the victim on the move put up, jason thought he was goofing around, yet i knew better! hang in there.At one point emmett shot off like a bullett, i knew we were near him, and he ran full speed up this huge hill, we were in the kettle morraine.
we were close , someone in the neighboring section nailed him

i hope all goes well, fingers crossed and positive thoughts headed your way.
P.S. jason changed his mind on the big ole newfs, emmett proved his worth to jason. and that is a tuff sell.

[ 06-04-2003, 06:11 AM: Message edited by: sarnewfie ]
 
E

evergano

Inactive Member
This group has a couple GSD's and a couple labs, but the real workers in the group are the Border Collies. I will admit I see a lot of plus sides to working a border collie (ie can carried an injured one out of the woods). Our search areas tend to be very dense and steep, not ideal for a Newf, but the weather is usually perfect Newfie weather. I also think that there has got to be a place in the group for a slower more methodical dog like a Newfie (though D'Artagnan has exhibited excellent drive and ambition). The guys I interviewed with seemed very receptive (even excited) about the Newfie prospect. I didn't get a real good vibe from the women but I'm holding out hope!
 
Annie Milliron

Annie Milliron

Alpha Goddess
Forgive what may seem to be a rather ignorant question. Is it not true that Newfies have the ability to smell under water, and this is a trait that many other breeds do not have?

If this is true, maybe this should be pointed out to them? ;)
 
Khiori

Khiori

New member
Good luck!! I hope you make it in with the group. How exciting!

"we were in the kettle morraine" What does that mean?

And your newfoundland's name: One day I'd figure out how to pronounce it but - wanna give me a hint? lol
 
sarnewfie

sarnewfie

New member
Annie Many breeds can smell far down, the record up here in the north was 90 feet thru ice a recovery of a body of a snowmobiler.
hounds working breeds, not sure about herding, but GSD one of the herding breeds and sporting all good at smelling at certain depths.
 
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