DAYTON, Ohio — Dexter is relentless. With a keen sense of smell and a disciplined regime of training, mixed with a sense of adventure and reward, the Labrador mix is one of 22 independently certified dogs called out by law enforcement and fire services to use their skills when someone is missing.

What You Need To Know

  • Buckeye Search and Rescue currently has 22 independently certified dogs

  • They are an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization

  • Dogs and their handlers are trained to search for missing people

It takes hours of training to become a certified search and rescue dog, and their handlers — like the dogs themselves — volunteer their time to help in moments of crisis. The hope is to find someone alive. But the discovery of remains, while not desired, can help to bring closure to families.

“It’s an accomplishment… your dog and you can go out together as a team, and the reward is just knowing that you can be a service to your community during a time when somebody may be having their worst day,” said Jeanette Sinclair, a volunteer with Buckeye Search and Rescue.

Whether it’s a missing child, an older person with dementia, or someone struggling with mental illness, the process is the same: the all-volunteer force is deployed by emergency services like police and fire departments.

“We don’t just send one person out with a dog,” Volunteer handler Darcy Vibbard said. “It is our entire team working together to bring those loved ones home.”

Handlers with Buckeye Search and Rescue meet twice per month for training exercises. They pay for all the equipment, training and certifications.

“We have very high standards for the dogs,” Sinclair said.

It takes several years of work before a dog is ready to work.

“They are in it for the hunt,” Volunteer handler Brian Rau said. “My older dog is to the point she’s not working for the reward anymore. She’s working for the fun of the job.”