Gaining access to new training experiences led by knowledgeable instructors is essential in every working dog discipline. This year, several handlers utilized SDF’s Search Team Grant to attend a multi-day wilderness trailing workshop in Butte County, Northern California.
The class was taught by a respected handler with years of experience and she helped teams, including Trish Moutard and her partner, Secret, discover how to sharpen their skills and reach new heights together.
Primarily used to assist regional agencies in locating missing people, wilderness search differs from other working dog disciplines in several key ways. These canines most frequently work on long leads and track the missing person across varied terrain.
Teamwork is paramount in this environment. Through the workshop, Trish learned how to better read Secret’s subtle body language—a crucial skill for effective searching. This focused training ensures the teams are prepared for the unique challenges of tracking in the wilderness.
Trish expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to take part in this training:
THANK YOU, SDF!! I’ve been a Volunteer SAR K9 handler since 1982 in several disciplines, and this is my first time doing trailing. Trailing is a discipline that is hard on so many levels. My learning curve has been steep, and I know I will always be learning more about it as my dog and I work together.
My dog, Secret, a McNab, is very driven, and I am working to be the trailing handler she needs me to be so we can be effective as a resource to search for missing people. Seminars and workshops with knowledgeable and experienced instructors are essential to help build the skills to become an asset that helps to save lives as a search dog team.
The grant from the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation allowed us to train with an incredible instructor earlier this year and was an invaluable experience for Secret and me. This training has led me to pass 4 of my needed sign-offs on our journey to being a Mission Ready team. Thank you, SDF, for offering these grants!
—Trish Moutard and Secret
K9 Handler with California Rescue Dog Association,
Sacramento Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, and
Yuba County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team
We wish Trish and Secret all the best as they put this vital training to use in the field, and are grateful to our generous sponsors for making these opportunities possible.