Buckeye Search and Rescue Dogs

"I've always wanted to do Search and Rescue." Those are words we hear almost on a daily basis. Most of these people mean well, and they have a generous heart. But they have no idea what that sentence really means. They don't realize the commitment. The hours upon hours you'll spend. The thousands of dollars that come out of your own pocket. Being tired, worn down, and feeling like you can't go another step, then another call comes in.
I've always wanted to do Search and Rescue, until you realize every spare minute of your life will be dedicated to SAR. That family vacation you planned? It's now replaced with a seminar. Late nights writing training logs. Extra money spent on more gear. The miles you put on your vehicle. The late nights and early mornings in the woods, searching for any clues. The heartbreak of talking with a family desperately searching for answers about where their loved one is. The heartache of working a 20-year-old cold case, hoping today is the day you can finally bring someone home. The wet socks. Mud in places it shouldn't be. Worn out boots. Dead flashlight batteries. No cell service to load your map. A radio that won't reach base. And the voice in the back of your head asking, "Did I do enough?" So if you're thinking about joining Search and Rescue, ask yourself one question... Is this about me... or is it about them?

We'll be at Hamilton Township Touch-A-Truck again this year - come see us (and our dogs)!

Sadly, we have another K9 memorial we must share. BSARD K9 Griff served from 2014 to 2025, holding certifications in mantrailing, wilderness area search, human remains detection (land and water), and article search. Griff participated in some 45 search operations before retiring in 2025. Our sincere condolences go out to handler Karen and her family at this difficult time.

And happy 13th also to SAR twin Dalton! Dalton (retired also) and Pearl are littermates, and older cousins to currently-active K9 Lily!

We want to wish a happy birthday to BSARD K9 Pearl! Living her best life in retirement!

We are saddened to learn of the passing of retired BSARD K9 Kyra at age 15. Kyra was a Belgian Malinois who was active with handler Jonah from 2012 until 2021. Kyra was certified in land Human Remains Detection and participated in 38 search operations during her career with BSARD. Our thoughts go out to Jonah, and we know she will be missed terribly.

We'd like to congratulate BSARD handler Teresa and K9 Sagan for successfully passing their IPWDA Water HRD certification test this weekend! They are now certified in both land and water HRD -Great work, team!

🦟 Ohio is in the middle of a Lyme disease explosion that should have every outdoor enthusiast paying close attention before they head into the woods this spring. The numbers are staggering: in 2010, Ohio reported just 40 cases of Lyme disease statewide. By 2020 that number had grown to 415. In 2025, it hit 2,819, a nearly 70-fold increase in 15 years. The Ohio Department of Health's director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff says warming temperatures, increased humidity, shorter winters, and the regrowth of Ohio's forests have all created ideal conditions for the blacklegged ticks that transmit the disease, while more human development pushing into natural areas and increased outdoor activity since the COVID pandemic has put more Ohioans in tick territory than ever before. Belmont and Jefferson counties along the Ohio River border are currently the hardest-hit areas in the state, with Tuscarawas County close behind.

Experts warn the trend is only going in one direction, and Ohioans need to take precautions seriously this season. Wearing long sleeves and light-colored pants, using EPA-registered tick repellent, staying on the center of trails, and doing thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors are all critical steps. If you find a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to remove it close to the skin and clean the bite area immediately. Early Lyme disease symptoms include a bullseye-shaped rash, fever, chills, fatigue, and aching joints, and the disease is highly treatable when caught early. Ohio residents should also be aware of a lesser-known threat from lone star ticks, which are becoming more common in southern Ohio and can cause alpha-gal syndrome, a condition that triggers a potentially severe allergy to red meat.

We are saddened to announce the passing of retired BSARD K9 Ruby. Ruby was active from 2016 to 2022 and certified in land HRD and trailing. Our thoughts and condolences are with Ruby's handler Jeff and his family, as well as Ruby's son Cash.

It is with heavy hearts that we learned this morning of the passing of retired K9 Auggie at age 14. Auggington worked the great majority of his career with Coos County SAR in Oregon, where he was certified in live-find area, as well as land and water HRD. He worked the 2018 Paradise, CA fire and the 2020 Phoenix, OR fire, and after handler Jeanette relocated to Cincinnati he certified as a land HRD K9 with BSARD until his retirement in 2023. He will be greatly missed by all of us, and we send our condolences to handler Jeanette as well as K9's Jolene and Re*****on.