Training and caring for a dog in wilderness SAR, developing the additional skills used by the SAR responder, plus responding to SAR missions are all time consuming and will incur personal expenses and a level of personal risk. Individuals must assess these and other important factors before embarking on SAR dog training.
Time demands are considerable. Developing a dog to mission readiness for search and rescue generally requires 18 to 24 months of frequent and regular training where weekly and bi-monthly team trainings are supplemented by hours of individual training periods with your dog. Trainings and responding to missions during late nights and on weekends can also mean time away from the job or family.
Some dogs may progress months into training and then reach a developmental plateau which falls short of the mission ready dog. SSD routinely applies performance measures to help individuals assess the likelihood of overall training and mission success.
All members incur expenses acquiring boots, clothing, plus specialized gear such as radios and GPS units used by SAR responders, and of course vehicle expenses. In addition, dog handlers have the cost of animal care, maintenance, and canine gear (such as GPS collars and protective clothing).
SSD, like other New Mexico SAR teams, responds to searches in all types of weather and often in difficult terrain. A minimum level of physical fitness, equipment, and outdoor skills is required for all SAR responders.
The outcome of a SAR mission may not always be pleasant with the rescue of a live and healthy individual. Plus, there is risk that your beloved canine partner, you, or a team member may suffer injury in performance of wilderness search and rescue.