Scott has been a member of BSARD since 2007. He has prior experience in K9 Search and Rescue dating back to 2005 with a previous K9 SAR team. In addition to his duties as a Senior K9 Handler, he is also active in Search Planning and Field Support.
He’s served four terms on BSARD’s Board of Directors from 2008 through 2010, 2011 through 2013, 2016 through 2018, and 2019 through 2022 (four years due to no election held in 2020 due to COVID).
Scott and his current K9 partners Zeke and Zelda are certified for Human Remains Detection on Land and Human Remains Detection in Water.
Prior certifications he has held with his K9 partners are Wilderness Area Search with Berkeley, Human Remains Detection on Land with Berkeley, Yahtzee, and Copper, and Human Remains Detection in Water with Berkeley, Yahtzee, and Copper.
Scott’s personal certifications include NASAR SARTECH II, NIMS ICS courses (100, 200, 700, and 800), and Adult, Child and Infant First Aid, CPR and AED. Other training he has completed throughout his career include GPS Navigation, Crime Scene Preservation, Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Awareness, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Awareness, Personal Respiratory Protection, Personal Protection against Blood-borne Pathogens, and Canine First Aid.
He has also trained with Bill Dotson (IDK9-Building Search for Live Find Disaster Dogs), Jonni Joyce (IPWDA-Water Seminar), Lisa Higgins (Water Seminar), and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Bureau (K9 Unit).
Scott is a retired Project Manager.
K9 Zelda, Active since 2021
Zelda is a female German Shepherd Dog, born September 2021 and began training October 2021.
She is currently certified for Human Remains Detection on Land, and Human Remains Detection in Water.
She is the younger half-sister of Zeke.
Zelda’s favorite activity is giving kisses.
(Photo by Sarah Gentry Photography.)
K9 Zeke, Active since 2020
Zeke is a male German Shepherd Dog, born August 2020. He started training in September 2020.
He is currently certified for Human Remains Detection on Land, and Human Remains Detection in Water.
He is the older half-brother of Zelda.
Zeke’s favorite toy is a Kong.
(Photo by Sarah Gentry Photography.)
K9 Copper, Active from 2012 to 2020
Copper was a male German Shepherd Dog, born March 2012. He began training in July 2012.
He was certified for Human Remains Detection on Land, and Human Remains Detection in Water. During his 8-year career he participated in 31 search operations.
Copper passed away suddenly in August 2020.
K9 Yahtzee, Active from 2011 to 2021
Yahtzee was a male Labrador Retriever X Golden Retriever, born in 2009. He began training for his SAR career in October 2011.
He was a “change of career” dog who came to Scott via Canine Companions, where he was being trained for a career as a service dog. After living with his puppy raisers for 18 months, he began training for his new job, but ultimately the staff felt he wasn’t best suited to that role. Scott adopted him after testing his compatibility for SAR work. He was very successful in it.
Yahtzee was certified for Human Remains Detection on Land, and Human Remains Detection in Water. During his 10-year career he participated in 59 search operations.
He retired in June 2021 and passed away about a month later.
K9 Bella, Active from 2011 to 2012
Bella was a female German Shepherd Dog, born in 2004.
She trained for Human Remains Detection on Land, and Human Remains Detection in Water. During her 8-month career she participated in 1 search operation.
She retired in April 2012 and has since passed away.
K9 Berkeley, Active from 2007 to 2012
Berkeley was a male German Shepherd Dog, born in 2003. He started his search career with a prior SAR team (before February 2006) and joined BSARD in February of 2007.
He was certified for Wilderness Area Search, Human Remains Detection on Land, and Human Remains Detection in Water. During his 5-1/2 year career with BSARD he participated in 23 search operations.
Berkeley retired in September 2012 and passed away shortly after.
