The Kent County K9 Unit is a cohesive team consisting of dogs, handlers, and flankers. Each plays an essential role on searches. As with the broader SAR team, each member of the K9 Unit is a volunteer in the mission to find lost and missing people.
K9 Search and Rescue has four main disciplines: trailing, human remains detection (HRD), air scent, and disaster. Kent County focuses primarily on trailing and HRD, and has access to teams from the other disciplines as well. Although K9 noses are legendary tools, there is as much art as science involved in working with dogs.
Handlers own their dogs and pay for all their expenses. It is a tremendous commitment, but one that can yield great results. The team meets and trains weekly, and visitor/observers are always welcome.