The Leadership Team of US SAR Dogs, Inc. and the Board of Directors of Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States are proud to announce the formation of a partnership.  The SAR dog community formed US SAR DOGS, Inc. in the beginning of 2007 in response to national changes proposed by the US Department of Homeland Security through the National Incident Management System.  US SAR Dogs, Inc. provided a forum to speak directly with NIMS working dog group to provide input and answer questions.  The SAR dog community spoke strongly saying that they were tired of the divisive politics that has splintered the SAR dog community and thus we have worked to form this new partnership.

Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States (SARDUS) was formed in 1992 by a group of forward thinking individuals.  The goal of SARDUS was to support SAR dog teams by providing National certification standards, education and training.  SARDUS hosted an International SAR Dog Symposium, bringing together ideas from around the world.  SARDUS also has provided grants for SAR dog groups for training and education.  The Leadership of both groups have a common mission and are committed to the SAR dog community and the value that all of you represent.  Therefore, we will proceed as Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States.  

The mission of SARDUS is to assist Local, State, and Federal search and rescue dog teams by providing education, training and certification to National Standards.  Our goal is to support search mangers by providing a consistent and dependable resource.  We will continue the work that many preceding us have started by working closely with Law Enforcement agencies to represent the SAR dog community as a Professional resource that can withstand the legal reviews that are now taking place in the courtroom.  Finally, we share the common goal of each individual in the SAR dog community, we want to find lost and missing people.

We believe that experience, competency and excellence can be found in each SAR dog organization.  We are not an exclusive club.  We are asking that each SAR dog organization nominate their most experienced dog handlers to become certified evaluators.  Our vision is to create a nationwide network of Professional resources that are all tested to a consistent and competent standard that meet Federal guidelines. 

We need your continued support.  We have enjoyed the participation of many in the SAR dog community in developing the program.  We will provide a forum for you to provide your guidance to this organization by having direct communication with the leadership team.  We believe that there is no one more qualified to implement a national SAR dog program than you.  Finally, we need your financial support.  Ultimately we would like to provide education, training and certification at no cost to the volunteer SAR dog handler.  This is only possible by receiving financial support from the agencies that utilize SAR dogs, friends and family of SAR dog handlers and ultimately the communities that we all serve.  Our website is designed to reach everyone that has interest in what we are doing:

http://www.sardogsus.org/id26.html

Thank you for your participation in the next chapter for the search and rescue dog community.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors of the Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States

Jeff Hiebert, President

Doug Teeft, Vice President

Ann Wichmann, Treasurer

Robin Habeger, Secretary

Teresa MacPherson, Director At Large

John Beck, Director At Large

Dr. Janet Brennan, DVM, Director At Large

L. Bruce Bowler, Director At Large

George Epp, Director At Large