2024 SAR Class Schedules & Locations:
Five (4) Day Multi Scent Discipline Seminar “Air Scent and Human Remains Detection”
Hosted by: Yavapai County Search and Rescue
Contact: Heather Lum
Location: Prescott AZ, 86327
Dates: January 17-20, 2024
Instructors: Matthew T. Zarrella and James Rawley
CLASS IS FULL
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One Day Land Human Remains Detection Search Seminar Training and/or Evaluations
Hosted by: Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue
Contact: Liz Burne
Location: Harwinton Fairgrounds, 15 Locust Road, Harwinton CT.
Dates: April 14, 2024
Instructor: Matthew T. Zarrella
This class is reserved for members of CCSAR.
CLASS IS FULL
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Five Day (45) Hour Water Search Class
Hosted by: MECCA Volunteer Fire Department
Contact: Becky Saltzmann, 702-321-9153 bsstocker@yahoo.com
Location: 10321 Silica Sand Road, Garrettsville, OH 44231
Dates: April 22-26, 2024
Instructors: Matthew T. Zarrella, James Rawley
The purpose of this course is to train you and your canine partner in the skill of searching for a submerged body while working along the waters edge on shore as well as in a water craft. The class will focus on refining your dogs ability to detect the presence of scent from a deceased human body eminating out of the water. This course will also cover the theories and practical aspects involved in a water search and will review actual cases involving K-9 teams who have located submerged bodies while working from a water craft. The canine team will also experience training in a number of practical field exercises which will allow you to apply the classroom instruction to actual field operations.
Class includes 8 hours of classroom and 37 hours of fieldwork with instruction on:
- how to conduct a search along the shore line
- how to conduct a search on a water craft
- how to search different bodies of water
- the proper use of training material
- scent theory pertaining to water search
- training principles used in shaping dogs for water search
- water search training techniques
It is recommended that the canine team have some prior training in locating human remains on land before taking this class. Classes will run from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM daily.
It is also recommended that each student come prepared for class with a copy of the Cadaver Dog Handbook.
Evaluations will be offered on the last day of the class and the instructor(s) reserve the right to recommend which canine team(s) are ready to test.
Certificates of attendance will be issued to every canine team who completes the (45) hour class.
- A non refundable deposit of $200.00 is required to register for the class and must be received by March 1, 2024. However, the sooner you get your depost in the sooner I can reserve your seat.
- Class tuition: $750.00 per canine team.
- One canine per handler.
- Lodging recommendations for students: Fairfield Inn Warren Niles 1860 Niles-Cortland Road, SE Warren, Ohio 44484.
https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1702042645710&key=GRP&app=resvlink
- Registration forms will be e-mailed to all canine team participants to be filled out and returned to me at 140 Mourning Dove Drive, Saunderstown, RI 02874 RI. They can also be scanned and e mailed back to me as well.
- Lunches will be provided for students and snacks will be available throughout the day. For more information or to register for a spot in the class please contact me at 401-226-1631 mzarrella@ampkt.com or Becky Saltzmann at 330-847-9579 bsstocker@yahoo.com.
The above curriculum is subject to change based on the needs of the class. Students should be prepared to work in various weather conditions.
Please make check payable to American Patriot K-9 Training LLC, 140 Mourning Dove Drive, Saunderstown, RI 02874 RI.
CLASS IS FULL but I am accepting names for a waiting list.
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Two Day Water Search Seminar
Hosted by: Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue
Contact: Liz Burne
Location: Rainbow Reservoir, 541 Rainbow Road, Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Dates: May 4-5, 2024
Instructor: Matthew T. Zarrella
This class is reserved for members of CCSAR.
CLASS IS FULL
Three (4) day Water Search Training and Certification Seminar
Hosted by: Chesapeake Search Dogs
Contact: Sandy Banthem sandybanthem@chesarda.org
Location: Scotts Cove, 11004 Harding Road, Scaggsville MD 20723
Dates: May 16-19, 2024
Instructor: Matthew T. Zarrella
CLASS IS FULL
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Three Day CCSAR Water Search Invitational Seminar
Hosted by: Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue
Contact: Liz Burne
Location: Rainbow Reservoir, 541 Rainbow Road, Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Dates: June 7-9, 2024
Instructor: Matthew T. Zarrella
Class enrollment is obtained through invitation only by members of CCSAR.
CLASS IS FULL
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Three (3) Day Trailing Seminar
Hosted by: North West Pennsylvania K-9 SAR
Contact: Amy Machinski (amymachinski@gmail.com)
Location: Erie PA
Dates: June 20-23, 2024
Instructor: Matthew T. Zarrella
CLASS IS FULL
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Three Day Multi Discipline Training Seminar (Area search, Trailing, Human remains detection)
Hosted by: Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group
Contact: Christopher Ruch (ruch@amrg.info)
Location: Pittsburg PA
Dates: July 19-21, 2024
Instructor: Matthew T. Zarrella
CLASS IS FULL
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Six (6) Day Crime Scene Search Class
Hosted by: American Patriot K-9 Training LLC
Contacts: Matthew T. Zarrella or Mark Chapman
Location: Owens Center for Emergency Preparedness 30150 Tracy Road, Walbridge Ohio 43465
Dates: September 9-14, 2024
Instructors: Matthew T. Zarrella, James Rawley
This course concentrates on realistic search scenarios to include crime scenes, evidence search, disarticulated remains, line up searches, residual scent work, vehicle search, fire scenes as well as positive and negative search scenes.
Prerequisites:
- Successful completion of American Patriot K-9 Training LLC Basic Land Cadaver Search course and/or the equivalent certification.
- Handlers must be in good physical condition and capable of working in the field for extended periods of time.
- Canines must automatically perform a trained indication at the target odor without cueing from the handler.
- Canines should be: obedience trained, sociable, physically capable of the work required.
- Handlers are responsible for the conduct of their dogs at all times.
- It is recommended that each student come prepared for class with a copy of the Cadaver Dog Handbook.
- Certificates of attendance will be issued to every canine team who completes the (54) hour class.
- Evaluations will be offered on the last day of the class and the instructor(s) reserve the right to recommend which canine team(s) are ready to test.
- A non refundable deposit of $200.00 is required to register for the class and must be received by July 1, 2024. However, the sooner you get your depost in the sooner I can reserve your seat.
- One canine per handler.
- Lodging recommendation for students: Mark has reserved a block of 20 rooms at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites with a daily rate of $85.00 per night plus tax and no pet fee. The address of 1154 Professional Drive, Perrysburg OH 43551, phone number 419-872-0000.
- Registration forms will be e-mailed to all canine team participants to be filled out and returned to me at 140 Mourning Dove Drive, Saunderstown, RI 02874 RI. They can also be scanned and e mailed back to me as well.
Tuition: Class tuition: $875.00 per canine team.
For more information or to register for a spot in the class please contact me at 401-226-1631 mzarrella@ampkt.com or Mark Chapman at 419-260-8380 chapmanm@bex.net.
The above curriculum is subject to change based on the needs of the class. Students should be prepared to work in various weather conditions.
Please make check payable to American Patriot K-9 Training LLC, 140 Mourning Dove Drive, Saunderstown, RI 02874 RI.
CLASS IS FULL but currently taking names for a waiting list
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Four (4) Day Ohio Federation Multi Scent Discipline Certification/Re certification Seminar
Hosted by: Ohio Federation Canine Search and Rescue
November 7-10, 2024 Location: Camp Friedlander, 581 Ibold Road, Loveland Ohio 45140
Instructors: Matthew T. Zarrella, James Rawley, Dan O’Neil
Contact person: Gloria Napier at e-mail: ginapier@fuse.net
This seminar is specifically for those teams associated with the Ohio Federation of Canine Search Teams.
CLASS IS FULL
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One (1) Day Human Remains Detection Training and/or Evaluations Seminar
Hosted by: Connecticut Canine SAR
Contact: Liz Burne
Location: Indian Rock Nature Preserve, 501 Wolcott Road, Bristol CT
Date: November 17, 2024
Instructor: Matthew T. Zarrella
This is for CCSAR team members only
CLASS IS FULL
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One (1) Day Human Remains Detection Training and/or Evaluations Seminar
Hosted by: Connecticut Canine SAR
Contact: Liz Burne
Location: Camp Hartell, 580 North Street, Windsor Locks Connecticut 06096
Date: December 8, 2024
Instructor: Matthew T. Zarrella
This is for CCSAR team members only
CLASS IS FULL