Canine S.T.R.I.K.E. Force Locates the Lost

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It can happen to anyone. You get off a trail for a few yards and everything starts to look the same. Or, you are hunting in an unfamiliar area, and you really are not sure the right direction to head to get back to your vehicle.

It can happen in a blink of an eye. Then, it becomes a word that some are not willing to admit - lost.

Many agencies work in the woods of Pennsylvania, but one in particular uses canines to help find humans who have lost their way.

S.T.R.I.K.E - or Susquehanna Tactical Regional Inner-agency K-9 Enforcement - K-9 Search and Rescue is a group of dogs and handlers who have put in thousands of hours of training and searching for lost people.

S.T.R.I.K.E. has been around for 25 years and has eight canine members and eight human members. The specially trained canines use air scent and scent discrimination to do their jobs.

"The trailing (scent-discriminating) dog needs an article of clothing to find a person and they will go where they person has gone and walk the path they have," said Vickki Coup, canine coordinator for S.T.R.I.K.E.

The air scent dogs will find any human by using scents that move on air currents. Using these dogs, a group can clear a grid or a specific area in a shorter time than it takes a human-staffed search party.

Seven of the eight dogs are trained as air scent canines, while the last is a trailing dog.

"On a perfect day, with perfect terrain, the dog can detect scent about one eighth of a mile away," Coup said.

By request

S.T.R.I.K.E is called into search-and-rescue situations by agencies such as the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, state police and volunteer fire chiefs.

Chief Ranger Stacy R. Duffield of DCNR's Tiadaghton State Forest, has called for S.T.R.I.K.E's help in the past.

"Their assistance was requested at a search in South Williamsport a few years ago," she said. "I remember sending them up a streambed in the dark and, if that wasn't bad enough, I believe it was snowing (or) freezing rain at the time. Not one complaint was heard."

Not long ago, the group helped with a search near Cogan Station. At that time, they were sent across hilly terrain with about a foot of snow on the ground.

"Again, no complaints were heard, and each time their task was completed as assigned," Duffield said.

Her interaction with the group has been concentrated in the Tiadaghton State Forest and area state parks.

Pennsylvania's terrain is not the hardest that S.T.R.I.K.E has been through, but the thick mountain laurel can make a search and rescue more complicated.

"It (Pennsylvania) can be dangerous and, at the same time, very beautiful," Coup said.

Tons of training time

The team works a lot of training time into their schedule, not only with their dogs, but also with objectives such as knowing how to setup search-and-rescue command posts.

"Sometimes we might arrive on the scene like up in Tiadaghton (State Forest) and there is one DCNR officer and maybe a map on a pickup truck hood, and we have to know how to set up a command and get going with the search," Coup said.

Scenarios used in S.T.R.I.K.E's training are real-life challenges for the dogs, so when it's time to put their skills to the real test, they can be successful.

"The team is extremely professional and the dogs, well trained. Both the human and the canine members of this group are very eager to assist with search-and-rescue operations, as well as training sessions," Duffield said.

The weather conditions, terrain type and ground cover make no difference to them, she said.

"They have always given their 'all' towards the common goal of finding the lost subject," Duffield said.

Handlers, along with their dogs go through extensive certified training through state and national agencies.They train in group scenarios and individually at home.

"They have gone the extra mile to become DCNR-certified dog teams and have extensive training in all types of search-and-rescue procedures, which make them an excellent resource to utilize," Duffield said. "They don't mind getting the request to assist as soon as notification of a lost subject is made, so they can arrive at the location as soon as possible, even if it means that, prior to their arrival, they get recalled due to the subject being found."

Wanda Keppler of Lewisburg, president of S.T.R.I.K.E, said she and her dog, Bella, a border collie, both are intent on what is expected of them.

"During a search, I am very focused on the subject who is lost. I am doing the things I am trained to do while we are searching our assigned area, watching my compass, staying in touch with Command by radio, looking everywhere and usually calling the subject's name," she said.

Her mind often is filled with thoughts of whoever is lost, as she wonders if they are hurt, where they might be and how alone they must feel while they are waiting for rescue.

"I am also thinking about the family and the trauma they are in at that moment when their loved one is missing," Keppler said. "I have to pay attention to the terrain, the wind, the areas we have covered and still need to cover. I am paying attention to the people who accompany me, making sure they are safe and working as well."

She keeps a close eye on Bella and studies the way the border collie is working the grid and her reactions.

"I have to make sure she is doing well and not having any problems. Sticks and burrs get attached to her and can make her uncomfortable. She can get cold, too, and she can get hurt." Keppler said. "I am making sure she has water and is hydrated. She is excited about the 'game' and working hard to find the subject so she can get her reward."

The group stays busy all year long and recently had five searches all within a three-day period.

"Buck season is a prime time (for searches) and so is the spring for a lot of hikers ... we can get slammed in the middle of summer or winter. It can be anytime," Coup said.

Bred for rescue

The dogs in S.T.R.I.K.E vary in breed. On the day a Sun-Gazette reporter participated in a demonstration with the group, she was "found" by dogs of three breeds. Each one used a different method to alert its handler that it had found the "missing" subject.

"Any medium or larger-sized dogs" can be trained for search and rescue, Coup said.

"We look for certain things, like a good curiosity, a good play drive," she added. "They have to almost be so curious to the point where they get in trouble."

The handlers use positive reinforcement to encourage their dogs to work. For instance, they may take along a dog's favorite toy "and that is what drives them to work," Coup said.

Once it has made a find, the dog gets the toy as a "good job" reward.

Purely volunteer

S.T.R.I.K.E is funded through donations, grants and dollars that come straight out of the members' pockets. All the time put into training and searching is voluntary.

The handlers all have day jobs, so must devote their time off to training their dogs or working a search.

They share one common passion - they love their dogs and want to be there to help their communities.

All equipment, whether it be for a dog or a human, is purchased either by the volunteers or using money from a fundraisers. If a dog is hurt during a search or training episode, the vet bill is covered by the dog's owner.

"We both have gear. My dog has a search vest with lights attached if we are going out in the night. I have my back pack, coats, gloves, gaiters, etc. We train a lot, so getting ready for a search isn't that much different, except that searches are very serious," Keppler said.

"There is danger everywhere we go," Coup said.

The elements and terrain are some of the most dangerous for the group. At anytime, on any call a dog or handler can be injured.

"They are extremely important to us, as an agency responsible for conducting search-and-rescue operations on state park and state forest land, and to the community," Duffield said. "They bring with them the mental attitude and stamina required to accomplish each task requested of them and offer a wide range of trained canines. They know their dogs and their capabilities."

Go and help

S.T.R.I.K.E also offers educational courses for wilderness safety and disaster preparedness. Members educate the public by speaking to schools, Scout troops and other organizations.

Anyone who wants to learn more about the group may attend any of their training sessions, Coup said. Visit the Web site, www.strikek9.org, to find the event calendar and call the group in advance to give them advance notice.

S.T.R.I.K.E always is looking for new members and a person can join even if he doesn't have a dog. Such people are called support members and provide a "tremendous" service to the group, Coup said.

Most of S.T.R.I.K.E's members are based in counties like Union, Lycoming Northumberland and Montour.

Founded in the late 1970s by the late Carol Perseeda and Union and Northumberland counties police officers, along with Roy Kieser. They all started it because the felt the needed search and rescue dogs in this area.

"It takes a lot, and it's not easy to find volunteers," Coup said. "You go in the search and you put your dog and your own life on the line ... that is a lot to ask."

She has been involved with search-and-rescue groups for 31 years.

"God gave me a gift, to communicate with dogs," she said. "and this way I can give back to the community.

"I am very proud of this team," she added.