SSD Home Page

	Sandia Search Dogs Albuquerque, New Mexico USA www.swcp.com/SSD
Goals – Mission Training Calendar Joining SSD Search Dog Readings SAR Links Members Area	What is Sandia Search Dogs? Sandia Search Dogs (SSD) is an all volunteer non-profit organization that provides search and rescue (SAR) services to the community. Our members are diversified in background, and vary in their daily professions, but all have a common interest in outdoor activities and love dogs! We apply a broad background of mountain and wilderness experience to search and rescue missions in all terrain and weather conditions. Training dogs for search and rescue is our specialty. SSD responds to SAR missions throughout the New Mexico area, however most are in the nearby Sandia, Manzano, and Jemez mountains. As and officially recognized search and rescue group, we are requested by the New Mexico State Police or other agencies to assist in missing person emergencies. What Do SAR Dogs Do? Search and Rescue dogs are valuable resources in efforts to find missing people. They can work day and night, in most kinds of weather and are especially effective where human sight or access may be limited. All humans constantly shed microscopic particles. These particles, which bear a unique human scent for each individual, can be transported by the wind or deposited on vegetation and other surfaces. The air-scenting SAR dog finds people through locating airborne scent. Air scenting can be successful long after the person has been reported missing since the victim will still be emitting scent. The trailing SAR dog locates people by following the path of scent deposited on the ground or vegetation as a person moves through an area. Because this scent is affected by humidity, temperature, and time, it is vital to field a trailing dog as soon as possible after the person becomes lost. SAR Dogs Can Find: Children lost in wilderness, parks and urban areas Elderly persons who have wandered away from family gatherings, homes and hospitals Overdue hikers, hunters, and fishermen who may be injured, sick or lost Victims of accidents and suicide. Who can become a member of SSD? SSD is a young, dynamic volunteer group committed to providing competent canine search and rescue teams to finding lost persons. We welcome new members who are interested in training a dog for search and rescue response or in supporting the group as field support. Interested individuals need to be in good physical condition and capable of meeting our minimum gear list requirement. Candidate dogs must be toy crazy or food crazy and 2 years of age or younger. All candidate dogs are evaluated for suitability for SAR training before their training begins. How is SSD Financially Supported? SSD in an all volunteer group and we do not charge for our services. Members supply all their own personal equipment. When on a SAR mission, the State of New Mexico reimburses vehicle gasoline expenses. Our team is financially supported through donations from individuals and groups. Donations are used to purchase team equipment, educational materials, and to support training. All donations are tax-deductible.

Sandia Search Dogs

Albuquerque, New Mexico USA

www.swcp.com/SSD

What is Sandia Search Dogs?

Sandia Search Dogs (SSD) is an all volunteer non-profit organization that provides search and rescue (SAR) services to the community. Our members are diversified in background, and vary in their daily professions, but all have a common interest in outdoor activities and love dogs! We apply a broad background of mountain and wilderness experience to search and rescue missions in all terrain and weather conditions. Training dogs for search and rescue is our specialty.

SSD responds to SAR missions throughout the New Mexico area, however most are in the nearby Sandia, Manzano, and Jemez mountains. As and officially recognized search and rescue group, we are requested by the New Mexico State Police or other agencies to assist in missing person emergencies.

What Do SAR Dogs Do?

Search and Rescue dogs are valuable resources in efforts to find missing people. They can work day and night, in most kinds of weather and are especially effective where human sight or access may be limited.

All humans constantly shed microscopic particles. These particles, which bear a unique human scent for each individual, can be transported by the wind or deposited on vegetation and other surfaces.

The air-scenting SAR dog finds people through locating airborne scent. Air scenting can be successful long after the person has been reported missing since the victim will still be emitting scent.

The trailing SAR dog locates people by following the path of scent deposited on the ground or vegetation as a person moves through an area. Because this scent is affected by humidity, temperature, and time, it is vital to field a trailing dog as soon as possible after the person becomes lost.

SAR Dogs Can Find:

Children lost in wilderness, parks and urban areas
Elderly persons who have wandered away from family gatherings, homes and hospitals
Overdue hikers, hunters, and fishermen who may be injured, sick or lost
Victims of accidents and suicide.

Who can become a member of SSD?

SSD is a young, dynamic volunteer group committed to providing competent canine search and rescue teams to finding lost persons. We welcome new members who are interested in training a dog for search and rescue response or in supporting the group as field support.

Interested individuals need to be in good physical condition and capable of meeting our minimum gear list requirement.

Candidate dogs must be toy crazy or food crazy and 2 years of age or younger. All candidate dogs are evaluated for suitability for SAR training before their training begins.

How is SSD Financially Supported?

SSD in an all volunteer group and we do not charge for our services. Members supply all their own personal equipment. When on a SAR mission, the State of New Mexico reimburses vehicle gasoline expenses.

Our team is financially supported through donations from individuals and groups. Donations are used to purchase team equipment, educational materials, and to support training. All donations are tax-deductible.