What we do
Scent Specific Live Find K9
We prefer to start our dogs as soon as possible. From 8 weeks to 9 weeks we want the puppy to bond with the handler. Starting on week 9, the puppy begins formal training. The “live find” program starts out slowly and ramps up in difficulty as the dog matures. The result is the “LaSAR Scent Specific Live Find K9.” The dog will be capable of covering large areas of land and, within the search area, finding a specific individual. In the event we do not have a scent article, the dogs are trained to find any individual within their search area.
Our live find K9 teams have been used for locating dementia / alzheimer’s patients, lost individuals and also during natural disasters by clearing large areas for local fire/law enforcement.
Human Remains Detection - Land
LaSAR’s Human Remains Detection (HRD) K9 teams work in conjunction with local, state and federal law enforcement. Since we work so closely with law enforcement, we make sure our handlers are familiar with crime scene preservation and evidence chain of custody. Our training program has also been reviewed and upheld in a New Orleans Criminal Court case in 1997 and also in cases in Rome, GA and Mobile, AL.
Our HRD teams deploy on a variety of mission types. A few examples are building collapses, hurricane aftermath, building fires and countless active and cold cases for law enforcement. Some of the LaSAR K9 teams have also been doing historical work, with archeological crews, since 2002.
Human remainS Detection - Water
Once an HRD team has passed their land certifications, we move them to human remains detection in the water. The murky Louisiana waters are a problem for recovery divers. Having the ability to put a diver on top of the victim is paramount for the safety of the diver and a quick recovery, and closure, for a family.
The mission types vary from accidental drownings, boating accidents and even criminal cases. We have helped locate a body in the Mississippi River at a depth of 129 feet, two bodies in area lakes at 100 feet, a body in a False River at 36 feet deep, as well as, flood stage rivers and low head dams.
Each year, LaSAR hosts a HRD Water seminar that brings in participants from around the globe. The limited number of class spots, usually around 16, fills within minutes of opening. As a result of these seminars, we have been blessed to share our knowledge with folks from Alaska, Canada, all across the lower 48 states and even handlers from Armenia and Greece.
To ensure proficiency in their disciplines, our K9 teams are certified yearly through both a rigorous in-house test and then a national certification.