Wilderness Finders Search Dog Teams

Training, maintaining, and fielding a search dog is a time and resource intensive endeavor. It is also incredibly rewarding. People who have the right dog for the job, and are the right handler for the job, are always a welcome addition to WOOF. Finding those teams requires a process that lets both WOOF and the prospective handler (it is a two-way street) determine if search and rescue with WOOF is the right fit. The process outlined below is considered to be strict requirements that must be followed to remain in the program.  When an individual initially approaches WOOF they will be considered as an interested party (IP). Interested parties are not affiliated with WOOF until they are accepted into the unit as a candidate team. For more specific questions and answers check out the FAQ page.

When an individual initially approaches WOOF they will be considered an ‘IP’.  As an IP there is no formal status with or obligation to WOOF. The objective of the IP status is for a prospective handler to familiarize him/herself with the demands and costs of training, testing, and maintaining themselves and their dog as a certified search dog team. While an IP the following should be accomplished:

1. Complete an application including waiver;
2. Attend weekly trainings with nearby handlers;
3. Attend monthly WOOF all-team workouts;
4. Familiarize him/herself with the training methods presented by certified handlers;
5. Join their local county SAR team as a foot-searcher if not already a member;
6. Seek input from certified handlers to identify a suitable prospective dog as appropriate;
7. Ask questions, come prepared, determine if he/she has the time, flexible schedule, and resources necessary to participate.

During this time period WOOF handlers will assess the prospective handler and their dog for their aptitude and potential to successfully complete the demands of training, and certifying with WOOF. For this reason it is necessary that a person attend the weekly trainings with handlers and attend the monthly workouts to progress to candidacy with WOOF.

Once an IP has demonstrated they have the time and resources to commit to continued training towards becoming a WOOF team, and WOOF has determined the prospective handler and their dog have the potential to complete training and certify with WOOF, the following steps are taken:

1. Review the WOOF Standard Operating Procedures (SOP);

2. Review the WOOF by-laws;

3. Complete and submit the WOOF Application to the Board of Directors (BOD);

4. Complete and submit a signed, notarized Disaster Service Worker’s Form;

5. Take and pass WOOF’s fitness test;

6. Receive the approval by the WOOF BOD for themselves and their dog as a candidate team with WOOF.

Upon being approved into the unit, the candidate will be assigned a mentor(s), who is a certified WOOF handler. The candidate’s mentor works closely with him/her to provide the team with the guidance needed to allow them and their dog to progress, together. It is the candidate’s responsibility to implement the lessons that their mentor provides and the candidate is ultimately responsible for their own progress in training. The process to become a certified WOOF team is outlined in and will follow the SOP. Candidates adhere to and uphold the requirements outlined in the SOP and by-laws, just as WOOF certified teams do. A candidate may forfeit their status with WOOF at any time in accordance with the by-laws and SOP.