Getting Involved

We welcome new team members, whether you are someone who would like to become a dog handler or someone without a dog.  Almost anyone can be a valuable volunteer in our organization!  Before contacting us, though, please read through the following facts.  If you feel that this might be for you, you are welcome to contact us about attending our next training session.

*Please note:  The following guidelines are just that...GENERAL GUIDELINES.  Nothing is written in stone and if you do not meet some of these guidelines, it does not mean that you are automatically excluded from consideration.  Please contact us, ask questions, don't be afraid to speak to our team members at any time.  We welcome ANY inquiry about helping our team.

1. You do not have to have a dog to volunteer for our group! 
2. This is a group that is dedicated to Search and Rescue in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Because it is necessary for our members to mesh with the already-existing system, we require all of our members to be active members of their local ground SAR group.
3. Becoming an operational member takes a lot of money, time, gear, and training (both for you and the dog).
4. We are not interested in spending valuable training time so that you can play in the woods with your dog or "see what he can do."  THIS IS NOT A DOG SPORT.  Anyone who wishes to become involved with a dog must first attend three group training sessions without working their dog in the group, to learn some basics and also to demonstrate their willingness to commit to the process. 
5. In the beginning, new dog handlers do most of their work at home (basic behaviours must be strongly built, and this cannot be done in the group setting).  This will be supported by the Training Directors but most of it is up to you to complete.  The bottom line is, as a new member you will spend most of your time hiding. Spending time as a "victim" is a price that every dog handler pays. 
6. It takes at least one year of active training before you can be assessed for readiness for certification.  The average dog/handler team trains for 18-24 months before getting to the point where the dog is mission-ready (in most cases, longer).
7. Dogs must be of proper age, size, temperament and health status to become a SAR dog.  In addition, all dogs over the age of 6 months must be temperament tested prior to joining group training.
8. Preferably a dog should be started as young as possible, right from puppyhood, but dogs under the age of two may be considered.
9. All team members are expected to offer their active support in fundraising, training, certification days, public relations, and other "non-dog" activities. 
10. We train in all kinds of weather and terrain.  This ain't Disneyland, this is Newfoundland!