About Arizona Search Track & Rescue
In the event of a missing child or loved one, the public has come to expect immediate response coupled with modern search management techniques from local agencies.
In Arizona and throughout the nation, trained Search And Rescue (SAR) teams and (SAR) dog teams have consistently proven themselves as a valuable resource to the emergency services community and local law enforcement agencies when confronted with searching urban, wilderness and desert areas as well as locating victims of drowning.
Arizona Search Track and Rescue, Inc. (AZ STaR) was formed to provide to the public, trained airscent and trailing dog/handler teams to assist in locating lost or missing persons. AZ STaR also has dog/handler teams specially trained in Alzheimer’s, cadaver and evidence searches.
The AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) 2012
/0 Comments/in Announcements, Blog Public /by AZSTaR2012 ACE Honorees
The American Kennel Club is proud to announce the Recipients and Honorable Mentions for the 2012 AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). Established in 2000, ACE has become a valuable public-outreach program for the AKC as well as a source of pride among the fancy and the dog community.
The recipient in each category (Exemplary Companion, Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Service, and Therapy) will receive an engraved silver collar medallion and a check for $1,000 at a presentation ceremony at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, Florida, on December 15, 2012. Dogs earning honorable mention will be cited and will receive bronze collar medallions.
Search and Rescue
Keahi – Belgian Tervuren, handled by Kristi Smith of Peoria, AZ
Seven-year-old Keahi (key-ah-hee; Hawaiian for “fire”) is from a line of high-achieving show and performance dogs. During her career with Arizona Search Track and Rescue, Keahi has proved to be durable, versatile, and uncannily accurate.
Certified in air-scent, avalanche, cadaver, evidence, and human-remains searches, the in-demand Terv has answered the call in nine states and Canada. She and Smith conduct approximately 43 searches a year, logging between 91 and 126 work days a year—a strenuous pace for any search team.
Smith and Keahi have found lost children and wandering seniors, led investigators to the bodies of murder victims and those who have drowned (including one find 170 feet under water), and recovered key evidence in criminal investigations.
Smith’s fellow K-9 handler Claudia Schmitz says, “When not actively working the field on missions, Keahi goes out of her way to interact with the searchers, family, investigators and anyone else on scene, helping them feel better under quite often tragic situations.”
In 2008, Keahi gave birth to a litter of seven. Five of her pups are now in the “family business” of advanced search work. Keahi and her offspring are a credit to their breed and their breeding.
The following dogs received Honorable Mention:
Dino – All American owned by Jackie Phillips of San Leandro, CA
Heather – Bloodhound owned by Allen L. Means of Strasburg, PA
Kessa – German Shepherd Dog owned by Ann Christensen of Shelley, ID
Merit – Bloodhound owned by Terri Heck of New Cumberland, PA
Sam – German Shepherd Dog owned by Laurie Vickery of Wichita, KS
For More information follow the link: http://www.akc.org/news/ace/2012/honorees.cfm
12 Who Cares Award Winner
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Dear Kristi,
Congratulations! Arizona Search Track and Rescue has been chosen as our 12 News 12 Who Care winner for December, 2013.
Thank you for submitting your nomination! It was great to read about the work your organization is doing to help search for missing loved ones.
As a 12 Who Care winner, your organization will receive:
A $1,200 donation for the work of your organization
Your organization will be featured on Arizona Midday, 12 News and azcentral.com
A :30 promotional spot based on the story and mission of your organization as well as volunteer information which will air on 12 News
Recognition ad in The Arizona Republic 2 times during the month you have been selected for
Your agency will be hosted at a luncheon at the 12 News Studios.
It’s always encouraging to read about community members striving to make a difference!
Thanks so much for being a part of the 12 Who Care program and for all the work you do to make our community a better place!
You will soon be contacted by one of our producers to schedule the next step.
All the best,
Nikki Sabetta
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American Kennel Club once again honor’s Keahi through Facebook Campaign!
/0 Comments/in Announcements, Blog Public /by KristiKeahi is just one of the dogs that make up Arizona Search Track and Rescue’s Elite K9 team and like the rest of the K9’s and their human’s, she excels as what she does. June brought us 16 search days out of 30 total days. A Busy month for AZ STaR. Way to go AZ STaR K9’s and their human counterparts.
Like our Facebook Page by clicking our facebook page link at the top of the page, then like and share this photo to help the American Kennel Club get the 100,000 likes.