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.
EMERGENCIES
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. We cannot deploy directly for families - contact the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to request us.
trained and certified
WOOF teams have earned national recognition as leaders in search, rescue and recovery. 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.
want to be a search dog handler?
get started
Read through the entire website. Understand the time and financial commitment required to join SAR and specifically train and deploy a dog. This is not a social club or a sport group.
training
Training is not optional and is done in all weather, throughout the year. Handlers must comply with policies and procedures including attending training, writing training records, and being responsive to electronic and telephone communication.
communication skills
Handlers need to have excellent written and verbal communication skills and must operate in a chain of command environment. They are able to take direction and execute instructions from team leaders and higher authorities. This is not a social club or sport group!
timeline
Both handler and dog are evaluated throughout the training program for suitability as a WOOF team. All WOOF volunteers serve on an at-will basis. Those teams with the right stuff should certify within 2 years of becoming a volunteer SAR team in training.
testing
Handlers must pass a series of tests throughout the training program, and continue to pass tests on an annual basis. These assessments meet state guidelines and are a requirement to maintain status as a SAR volunteer.
searching
Once certified, a handler and his/her canine responds to searches and actively participates under the agency having jurisdiction. The handler not only searches, but is responsible for others in the field, and documenting his or her participation in the mission.
