My favorite thing about dog corps is the relationships that you are able to build
with the dogs. All of the dogs have different personalities from each other and being
around them you are able to see all of they’re personalities come out. I have built
relationships with all of the dogs but some more then others. Two of my favorite dogs
are Raven and Emmie. By spending time with them I feel like I have a real relationship
with them, like they are actually friends of mine.
I have had experiences where I am having a hard time and the last thing that I
want to do is spend time with people. So instead I am able to take one of the dogs with
me to go on a walk in the woods. Being able to do that helps me to calm down and
relax. On one specific occasion I had had my first weekend home visit planned in the
near future that I was really excited about. I had been looking forward to it for a long
time because I had been away from home for about nine months. The only thing that
would be able to get in the way of my visit was my grades. I have always struggled in
school so I was worried that I wouldn’t pass all of my classes so I was studying really
hard.
About a week before my visit I took my EOMs for my classes and wasn’t sure
how I did. I ended up failing two classes making myself unable to go on any visits. I
went to the middle school and didn’t know what to do, all I wanted was to be left alone to
think. I took Raven and went on a walk down the milk road into the woods. After a while
I sat on a rock with her and was able to clear my mind. Just sitting in the woods alone
with a dog relaxed me and made me feel a lot better. I decided that what I needed to do
and dedicate myself to my classes in order to ensure that I pass. The next month I did
just that and passed all of my classes for the first time since being at The Family School
and got my first home visit.

Today we went out to set out a human remain problem for tank, we put out two sources for him one in a wood pile and one behind a metal door that is leaning up against a shed. They are out by the sewer plant we placed them in very specific spots so that the dogs don’t have the opportunity to pick up or play with the source that is why they are wedged into the wood pile and behind the metal door leaning up against the shed because the dog can’t move the door away to get at it and the dog also can’t get into the crack in the wood pile enough to move that source. While putting these sources out another dog Eme, who does trailing and doesn’t come in contact with cadaver much and isn’t trained to it so won’t indicate on it or get confused if we put the human remains out in front of her, was playing with a tug near by so she was contaminating the area with her scent and her activity so later the area will be worked by a handler who will search the entire shall pit and sewer plant that way they can see if there dog has interest in where the other dog was playing or what the handler would like to see which is for the dog to blow right past where the other dog played and find the cadaver and do there trained indication on it.

Adam and Soren playing tug

Part of working with Search Dogs means working outside in the elements and being prepared. The kids have to learn responsibility and make sure their gear is squared away and that they are ready for however long they will be out.Part of the job of the dog is getting used to working for longer amounts of time in the cold and snow especially when its as deep as them.

Pull harder, there is no traction in this snow!

August was brought to a close with the sun shining off the water and the dogs hanging out off the boat. Of course i’m talking about the Lisa Higgins water seminar that Amigo Search and Rescue Dogs hosted. It was the perfect closure to the summer and a warm welcome to the fall. Three teams joined the fun including Eagle Valley Search Dogs, New Jersey Search and Rescue and of course the hosting team Amigo. In the mix were also Dog Corps. students Adam B and Tyler M. The seminar started off with classwork on thursday evening and hands on water work from the very beggining indication stages to working on the river and a local pond. The Campville fire department was a gracious host and everyone had a wonderful time. Both boys learned a lot and Tyler took many good pictures to recount the memories!

Rita and K9 Tank