Wilderness Finders Search Dog Teams ("WOOF")

What We Do

Wilderness Finders, Inc. (WOOF) is a unit of highly trained "professional volunteer" dog teams on-call to the entire U.S., with most calls coming from California and Nevada. WOOF is a non-profit 501(c)3 volunteer service unit  serving law enforcement to aid in search, rescue, and recovery efforts.

WOOF teams have earned national recognition as leaders in the field craft of search, rescue and recovery.

WOOF teams are also internationally recognized experts in the science of detection.

All teams are certified to rigorous standards for fitness, basic medical, incident command system, map and compass, GPS, crime scene, and other necessary skill areas.

WOOF teams are certified in one or more of the following recognized search disciplines:

• Wilderness
• Human Remains Detection
• Avalanche
• Water
• Trailing
• Disaster

WOOF searches without charge to the person(s) lost or to the requesting agency. Teams are dispatched upon request of the State of California, the State of Nevada, and some specialized teams may be dispatched directly by federal agencies or local counties.

 Following the trail, Lake Tahoe Basin

Dispatch

WOOF is dispatched only by recognized agencies. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.

 Law enforcement or agency requests contact:

CA Emergency Management Agency

(916) 845-8911

or

 NV Department of Emergency Management

(775) 687-0498

See a short video about search dogs and WOOF: http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scientists/scientist36.html

We are doing a fundraiser... Click HERE to support the team training with a professional master trainer and sheriff divers for water recovery!

Recent and Upcoming Events

Check the Monthly Workout Info tab to see upcoming WOOF trainings 

• The 2013 first half of the year workout schedule is set - check the monthly workout tab to see what exciting training is planned!
• Helicopter training with Washoe County RAVEN
  
• "Locating the Dead..." with San Luis Obispo SO, June
• Fitness testing - July
• Water training with Jonni Joyce - April through August
• California SAREX 2013 - Monterey Bay, CA 7-8 September
  

WOOF was the first dog unit to go operational in California (1975)

WOOF handlers are the certified water search dog teams serving Nevada