Yakima County Sheriff
Search and Rescue
K-9 Team

The Yakima County Sheriff Search and Rescue (YCSSAR) K-9 Team is a non-profit, volunteer search and rescue program. Its purpose is to provide assistance to the Yakima County Sheriff SAR program and other counties in need of additional K-9 resources within Washington (and bordering states if requested through the Office of Emergency Management). Each volunteer spends their own funds for all related K-9 expenses pertaining to maintenance/veterinary care, travel and transportation costs, additional K-9 training courses as well as personal search equipment.

The current K-9 team was formed in 1997. Our team consists of approximately nine handlers and eleven dogs ranging in age and experience. Each handler/dog team must pass Performance Criteria Evaluations and the K-9 Good Citizenship standard test by AKC Guidelines prior to being considered “mission ready” by theYakima County K-9 Team Standards. Each team trains for a primary function of either air scent or trail work. Teams may also train in specialty areas such as evidence work and cadaver (land/water).

Our training schedule consists of every second and fourth Saturday of the month. In addition, we also hold a team meeting to discuss other business every other first Monday of the month. We regularly conduct obedience, agility exercises and work in air scent, trailing, evidence or cadaver problems during a training session.



If you have specific questions about the Yakima County SSAR K-9 Team, you can contact:

John Durand: Yakima County SAR Coordinator (509) 574-2535
Greg/Teana: Function Leader/Training Coordinator


Useful Documents:

Newer Documents (5/2003):
Beginner K-9 Stage
K-9 Etiquette
Air Scent evaluation form
Trailing Evaluation form
Cadaver Dog Proficiency evaluation form
Evidence and Article Proficiency evaluation form
Performance Evaluations and Mission Ready Criteria
Q&A for Air Scent K9 Teams

Older Documents (12/2002):
New Handler Letter
Advanced Trailing Evaluation
Cadaver Dog Proficiency Evaluation
Evidence and Article Proficiency Evaluation
New 40 Acre Evaluation

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Updated: 040104 Bill and Laura