MEET THE K9S
Get to know Our Specialized K9 Team of Heroes
These dogs are the heart of our team – our incredible K9 partners! At Ventura County Search and Rescue K9, we're proud to introduce you to our furry heroes who dedicate their lives to saving others. Our skilled canine team is composed of trailing dogs, area dogs, and Human Remains Detection (HRD) dogs, each with unique abilities that make them indispensable in search and rescue operations. Get ready to meet these amazing animals and learn about the vital roles they play in keeping our community safe.
TRAILING DOGS
Scent-Specific Specialists
Trailing dogs are a specialized asset of Ventura County Search and Rescue K9 (VCSARK9), trained to follow the specific scent of a missing person across various terrains. These dedicated canines work with their noses close to the ground, tracking minute particles of human tissue or skin cells left behind by the individual they're seeking. With a good scent article and a known starting point, trailing dogs can be the fastest way to locate a missing person, making them an invaluable tool in VCSARK9's search and rescue operations.
Pistol
Pistol is a Cattle dog/Pomeranian mix, and she certainly lives up to her name! This little lady is a workhorse! Born in December of 2019, she was adopted from the Ojai animal shelter by her handler, Deresa.
In May of 2023, Pistol and Deresa certified in both urban and wilderness trailing. She will be deployed to search for lost people in both urban and wilderness areas. Trailing dogs need a scent article so they can follow the trail of the lost person. This type of search is the most common call out with the Ventura County Search and Rescue (SAR) teams
Velvet
Meet K9 Velvet...
Velvet is a Redbone Coonhound. At 5 months of age, she was found abandoned; tied to a pole in a church parking lot when Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) picked her up.
At the shelter, Velvet was a crazy ball of energy despite suffering from entropion, an eye condition that makes it hard to see. A kind and skilled vet donated his services and fixed her eyes. Her handler Virginia brought her home to foster and she learned to master obedience and was a fun and athletic pup.
Velvet was placed in a family home but came back to Virginia many months later. Virginia could tell she needed a job and Velvet's passion for searching led Virginia to trailing instruction with one of the top trailing instructors.
Velvet has achieved her Peace Officers Standards of Training (POST) for trailing certification. She is now available to search for lost people. She is dedicated to her work and requires nothing more than her cookie reward at the end of a find.
Mira
Meet K9 Mira...Mira is a German Shepherd dog, and yes- she’s got blue eyes! She has a fancy genetic variant in her ALX4 gene which causes her eyes to be blue. This is very rare in shepherds!
At a young age, Mira’s handler, Jenn realized that Mira was going to need a job to keep her occupied and enrolled her in a foundational class on “Tracking”. Mira excelled, and has since gone on to learn from many experienced trailing handlers and trainers. After a year and a half of training in the trailing discipline with the Ventura County Search and Rescue (SAR) Team, Mira and her handler Jenn both successfully POST (California Peace Officer Standards of Training) certified in both wilderness and urban trailing in May of 2023.
Recently, Jenn and Mira certified with CARDA as a mission ready trailing team in May 2025.
Rusty
Rusty is a Trailing Bloodhound and was born in January of 2023. His handler Tim got him from a breeder in Southwest Texas that focuses on high drive hunting and law enforcement Bloodhounds.
Knowing Rusty was a going to need a job Tim reached out and ended up joining the VCSARK9 team. Rusty started training with the team May of 2023 and got his Peace Officers Standards of Training (POST) Certification in Late 2024. Rusty loves to work and his favorite thing to do is work a trail.
When Rusty is not training or working, he enjoys supporting the team’s public events. Rusty is very friendly and loves meeting new people. So, if you see him out and about the community on one of his daily walks, feel free to come up and ask to say hello.
Storm
Meet Storm, a Belgian Malinois born in 2019 and a vital asset for those lost in California's diverse landscapes. Certified by the California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA), he is a key member of the Ventura County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team and the California Emergency Mobile Patrol (C.E.M.P.), having participated in over 20 missing person searches.
Guided by his handler, Gary, a search and rescue veteran with over 40 years of experience, Storm benefits from exceptional expertise. His impressive lineage includes a mother, Annie, who is a respected search dog, and a father, Enders, a national-level competition dog. With such a remarkable background, Storm approaches his missions with determination, truly born to save lives.
AREA DOGS
Wide Range Search Specialists
Area dogs are the versatile all-terrain searchers of Ventura County Search and Rescue K9 (VCSARK9), trained to cover large areas efficiently in search of any human scent. These energetic canines work off-leash, using their keen sense of smell to detect human presence in open spaces, forests, and even debris fields. With their ability to cover vast territories quickly and locate individuals who may be unconscious or unable to respond, area dogs are crucial team members in our search and rescue missions.
Xena
Xena, a Belgian Malinois born in April 2015, was adopted from Woof Project rescue in late 2016. As a FEMA-certified "live-find" K9, she excels in searching for victims of disasters like earthquakes and building collapses, as well as locating lost hikers and Alzheimer's patients in wilderness areas. Xena specializes in finding any live "hidden" subject in large areas or buildings without needing a scent article. Her most recent re-certification in February 2023 will be her last before a well-deserved retirement.
Ruger
Ruger is a certified “Live Find” search and rescue dog, partnered with handler Mark Stevenson since June 2022. They completed the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation’s Handler Training Course and earned FEMA certification six months later. Ruger specializes in locating living individuals who may be trapped, working with FEMA California Task Force 1, CAL OES Regional Task Force 9, and the Los Angeles City Fire Department.
As a vital asset in disaster response, Ruger is trained to detect the scent of living people. He and Mark continually train in various environments, enhancing their skills for effective emergency response. Together, they help ensure the safety and rescue of individuals in critical situations.
HRD DOGS
Specialized Scent Detectors
Human Remains Detection (HRD) dogs are a crucial component of Ventura County Search and Rescue K9 (VCSARK9), trained to locate deceased individuals in various environments. These highly specialized canines are capable of detecting the unique odor of human decomposition, even in challenging conditions such as water, buried remains, or disaster sites. With their exceptional olfactory abilities and dedicated training, HRD dogs play a vital role in bringing closure to families and assisting in forensic investigations.
Uma
Uma is a Dutch Shepherd born in October 2015, acquired from a breeder in Washington State. As a FEMA-certified HRD (human remains detection) K9, she searches for deceased victims after disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, and in wilderness areas. Uma's notable deployments include assisting in Hurricane Ian recovery efforts in Florida (2022) and searching after the Butte County wildfire (2020). Her first confirmed find was a firefighter who lost his life in a Fresno County library fire, and her second was an elderly gentleman near Ojai. Uma recertified in May 2023.
K9s IN TRAINING
Coming to the team soon
Huckleberry
Phoebe
Fozzie
Piper
MEET OUR K9 SUPPORT TEAM
Our members who provide support for our K9s.
K9 support members are essential to the success of search and rescue operations. As dedicated volunteers, they work alongside trained dogs and handlers to improve mission effectiveness. Their commitment to community service and support during training, missions, and outreach significantly enhances safety and well-being. This partnership with K9 teams ensures a swift and effective response in times of crisis.
Lisa Hammond
Lisa Hammond serves as Treasurer and a volunteer subject (a.k.a. hider from dogs!) with Ventura County K9 Search and Rescue (VCSAR K9). She brings a strong background in public service and bookkeeping, supporting the team both behind the scenes and in the field. Her attention to detail, dependability, and commitment to the mission make her a valued member of the VCSAR K9 team.
Lyz Gregory
Bio pending...
Bridget Dugan
Bio pending...
Frank Bettag
Bio pending...