Volunteer Search & Rescue

Providing, without cost, trained search and rescue personnel and K9s to the law enforcement agencies of Vermont and New Hampshire to assist in their efforts to locate lost and missing persons.

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Partners

NEK9 collaborates with others

NEK9 must be activated for searches by the Agency Having Jurisdiction for a search. 

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NEK9 is a volunteer organization

NEK9 searches for both live and deceased subjects; therefore, testing for certification simulates an actual search.

Outreach

NEK9 has educational programs

Our presenters can tailor the presentation to children and adults at all levels of experience and understanding.

Making a difference one dog at a time.

Support NEK9 units

All NEK9 services provided to requesting agencies and to the family of the lost person are free of charge.

NEK9 members incur all costs including gas, vehicles, training, equipment, and dog expenses. By donating to NEK9, a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status you can help offset the cost of each member.

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40+ Years Of Experience

About NEK9

Give A Helping Hand

NEK9 is an air scent K9 team with over 37 years of search experience. At most search calls, we provide 5-10 K9 teams with field assistants/medical support from the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team (UVWRT).

To provide, without cost, trained search and rescue personnel and K9s to the law enforcement agencies of Vermont and New Hampshire to assist in their efforts to locate lost and missing persons.

In 1981, Richard Dennis moved to north central MA from NY. He had been a K9 handler with the Adirondack Rescue Dog Association who certified with the American Rescue Dog Association (ARDA). After purchasing a German Shepherd puppy from Donna Larson, he inquired about starting an air scent team in the area. After some presentations and through word of mouth NEK9 was formed….read more.

NEK9 is an airscent K9 team with over 37 years of search experience. At most search calls, we provide 5-10 K9 teams with field assistants/medical support from the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team (UVWRT)….read more.

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20+

Volunteers

14

Dogs

30+

Annual Searches

2

States

Man’s best friend, and savior

Our Members

The commitment to each trainee is long-term and there is nothing about this work or this team that is casual. Though the training and searching can be fun, each member takes this life-saving responsibility with utmost seriousness and that includes the selection of new members.

Meet Our Members

New England K9 Search & Rescue

Certification Standards

Although NEK9 is a volunteer organization, the nature of this work requires a professional level of performance. NEK9 places great emphasis on rigorous training and certification which meets, or in most cases, exceeds the industry standard. Trustworthy teams are the result of the quality of the partnership between the canine and handler, not simply an accumulation of skills.

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How To Join

Application Process: Training and certifying with your canine represents a significant commitment in time and energy by the entire team. NEK9 is a small, select, skilled and dedicated team that places tremendous responsibility on each individual for the success of the whole. Therefore, applicants are accepted with great care.

An applicant must:

  • read everything on the website to get familiar with the team.
  • be a primary, legal resident of New Hampshire or Vermont or reside year-round in a town in Maine, Massachusetts or New York that has part of its town limits within 10 miles of NH or VT.
  • have excellent navigation skills with map, compass and GPS.
  • be familiar with search and rescue training/protocol.
  • be physically fit as to not be a liability to the team. Fitness test: Trail hike of 3.5 miles that includes an elevation change of 800-900 feet carrying a 20lb pack in less than 105 minutes.
  • have a flexible schedule allowing for immediate departure from work or home to respond to a search and have the ability to be absent for an unknown amount of time – possibly overnight or into the next day.

NEK9 members are volunteers and all costs are the members’ responsibility. Expect to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket each year. There is no charge for the training itself, but all equipment, travel costs, etc. are the member’s responsibility.

Some of the expenses involved are:

  • vehicle maintenance
  • gas (expect to drive 5,000-10,000 miles per year)
  • canine food & equipment
  • handler equipment
  • veterinary costs

If you currently have a canine under 3 years old, an assessment will be made through observation and testing. Temperament and drive are the two necessary traits in the SAR canine. A canine that is not afraid of people, new places or loud noises and that will play with a toy endlessly are good candidates. Our canines train and search for long hours in difficult conditions all for the reward and praise from the handler.

If you’ve made it this far in reading about joining it sounds like we should connect… Contact us.

For The General Public

We offer an entertaining and educational presentation and live demonstration of Airscent Search Dogs to general audiences. Whether you are a charitable or business organization or a senior center, the pictures, search stories and of course the dogs make a great 45 – 60 minute program. There is no charge (though a donation of any amount is most appreciated).

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