Volunteer Support Members

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 Desert Dogs K9 Search and Rescue Recovery welcomes dedicated individuals who are interested in supporting our mission as Volunteer Support Members. Our volunteers play an important role in assisting the team during training operations, community outreach events, and search-related activities. 

This opportunity allows individuals to gain valuable exposure to the Search and Rescue environment while supporting trained K9 teams and handlers in a professional setting.

Volunteer Support Members may assist with a variety of operational and training duties. Responsibilities can include serving as flankers during training exercises, helping maintain safety and scene awareness for K9 teams working large search areas, and acting as decoys for live-find K9 training scenarios. 

Volunteers may also assist Human Remains Detection (HRD) K9 training by helping place training aids and odors under the direction of certified handlers and trainers. In addition, support members may assist with public education events, demonstrations, fundraising activities, and community outreach programs representing Desert Dogs K9 Search and Rescue Recovery in a professional manner.

All Volunteer Support Team Members are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism, integrity, and respect for the mission of the organization. For the safety of the team, the public, and the integrity of operations, all volunteer applicants will be required to successfully complete a background check prior to participating in team activities. 

Training opportunities may be provided to help volunteers better understand K9 operations, search procedures, safety protocols, and team expectations.

Volunteer Support Members are a valuable part of the team and contribute greatly to the success of training operations, public education, and the overall mission of locating and recovering missing persons.