Congratulations to Tim, Donnie, Angi, Theresa, Kim, Sam, Gigi, JoAnn, Elizabeth, Maurico, Julie!
Several SARDOM team members were certified as Field Team Members under VDEM standard on February 8, 2009.
Several SARDOM team members were certified as Field Team Members under VDEM standard on February 8, 2009.
Member Since: 2001
Operational Since: 2007
Donnie and Daro are certified as an operational Wilderness Team.
Member Since: 1996
Operational Since: March 2007
Elizabeth and Garo are certified as an operational Wilderness Team.
Member Since: 2000
Operational Since: 2003
Kellee and Siska are certified as an operational Wilderness Team.
Member Since: 2000
Member Since: 2000
Operational Since: 2005
Samantha and Ike are certified as an operational Wilderness Team.
Member Since: 1997
Operational Since: 2008
Tim and Hondo are certified as an operational Wilderness Team.
Base camp and suppport members are critical to the function of any search. SARDOM currently has members trained in the specific tasks needed to run and assist on a search.
Member Since: 2007
Qualifications: Base Camp Operator
Member Since: 2002
Qualifications: Base Camp Operator
Member Since: 1994
Qualifications: Base Camp Support, Escort
Member Since: 1991
Qualifications: Operational Leader, Base Camp Support, Escort
Member Since: 1997
Qualifications: Operational Leader, Base Camp Support, Escort
Member Since: 2008
Qualifications:Base Camp Support, Escort
SARDOM has 4 teams currently in training. Each team puts in a significant amount of hours to complete the series of evaluations leading to their final operational test.
Over the years, many great people and dogs have made contributions to SARDOM that cannot be overlooked. Learn about our retired teammates.
Member Since: 1997
Operational Since: 2003
Tim and Hondo are certified as an operational Wilderness Team.
RETIRED: April 2005
Hanah is a very special dog to all those that know her. She is always polite and gentle. Although her career as a search dog started late in life, she loved learning and searching and was a tireless partner. When she began to show signs of arthritis and the stiffness over ran her desire to work, she was retired. She lives at home with her handler and enjoys a life of shorter hikes and less strenuous excersise.
"... Forgive my grief for one removed, Thy creature, whom I found so fair. I trust he lives in thee, and there, I find him worthier to be loved. ..." -- In Memoriam A. H. H. by Alfred Tennyson.
Over the years, several trusted friends and teammates have been lost. Take a moment to remember SARDOM's lost teammates.
Ika was an Operational Wilderness, Cadaver, and water recovery dog. She assisted on numerous missions and was always a joy to watch work.
Rico was a dog that no one could forget once they met him. His joy for the work was contagious and his energy boundless. He was keen to try anything and excelled at everything once he put his mind to it. His tragic and unexpected loss has been deeply felt by all of SARDOM and we will miss him terribly.
Kelsey was one of the finest search dogs SARDOM has known. She worked effortlessly for years as a wonderful partner and friend. Kelsey went on countless missions including the La Plata tornado of 2002. She is greatly missed.
Garret was part of many wilderness and water searches for SARDOM. As a member of VA-TF 1, he was deployed to Nairobi, Kenya (August 1998) for the US Embassy bombing, and for earthquakes in Izmit, Turkey (August 1999) and Duzce, Turkey (November 1999). He never wanted to quit working to find his reward.
