Volunteering for a search and rescue unit is a rewarding experience, but it demands hard work, dedication, and a long-term commitment. No prior experience is required, but a volunteer should be physically fit and enjoy working outdoors with dogs.
SARDOM welcomes all breeds of dogs, provided they meet the intense criteria set forth to ensure a solid temperament, trainability, size and work ethic. Dogs should be started at a young age, since it may take longer than two years to become a fully certified team.
Applicants are not required to have a dog prior to beginning their training, and often they chose to wait so that SARDOM members can help them pick a dog that is suitable.
© 2008 Search and Rescue Dogs of Maryland, Inc