Ohio Search Dog Association is part of state networking teams

By DORIS COOK - Staff Writer
Star Beacon

May 04, 2008 12:27 am

— The Ohio Search Dog Association has as its mission theme: Saving Lives Through Cooperation. Formed as a non-profit, all volunteer emergency response unit, the eight team members and their certified canines specialize in all types of search and rescue assignments.
Their calls for help come mostly from Ohio law enforcement agencies, but also they may assist police, FBI and other governmental agencies out-of-state. Founded in 1990, Deana Hudgins of Wooster serves as president of the group. The team members presently include Hudgins, Virginia Woolf of Bainbridge Township in Geauga County: Jennifer Gibbs, Eastlake; Shandra Kaler, Cleveland; John Edwards, Canton;, Debbie Klemencic, Concord Township; Sheri Johnson, Lebanon; Ellita Vedder, Chagrin Falls; and Dr. Gino DiGiannantonio of University Heights.
The members have various breeds of canines including a Bloodhound, three German shepherds, Labrador retriever, two Golden retrievers, and two mixed breed dogs, all trained with specialties in wilderness search, disaster search. Human remains, underwater human remains, tracking and trailing.
Hudgins said the K9 teams are National Police Working Dogs Association certified and members of National Association of Search & Rescue an. They also belong to the Ohio Federation of Canine Search Teams. There are about 20 active search dog teams scattered around Ohio.
The primary service of OSDA is providing qualified K9 search teams to assist in locating missing persons. OSDA educates agencies, as well as the general public, about the use and benefits of properly trained K9 teams in search and rescue missions.
Each team member/handler supplies their own field packs for the dogs in a “ready to go” status. The field packs contain change of clothing, cyalume sticks, flashlights, batteries, first aid kit, dog supplies, water bowl, power bars, food, maps and a compass, GPS and other necessities. Team members also maintain a fully equipped trailer for use on search missions including rope rescue equipment to support search operations. For more information about OSDA check out the Web site: www.oskak9.org. or write to Ohio Search Dog Association, P.O. Box 413, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 or call the non-emergency phone at 440-724-1059.

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