**** Info via Halifax SAR
Halifax Search and Rescue Dog Jet Hangs up his Search Harness
For over 11 years a highly energetic black Labrador Retriever known to his friends as “Jet” was a common sight at Halifax Search and Rescue missing person and evidence searches.
Search and Rescue dogs in Nova Scotia are required to be annually validated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Nova Scotia to meet Civilian SAR K9 standards. Jet first achieved his first validation on September 1, 2010, at 18 months of age.
Since that time, Jet has been involved in hundreds of hours of training and operational searches. Chauffeured by his handler Kevin McNeil, he has attended various searches in Nova Scotia and a few in New Brunswick.
In 2012, Jet was validated in Human Remains Detection through the Manitoba Emergency Services College. In 2013 he completed two levels of Human Remains Detection training at the Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. This highly specialized site is home to the “Body Farm” which is part of the Forensic Osteology Research Station.
Jet was then Kevin’s training partner for the Lead K9 Instructors Program that they completed at the Manitoba Emergency Service’s College in Brandon, Manitoba in 2018. Shortly after, he was part of the Karen Pryor Professional Handler Program that they completed in 2019 with the workshop hands on program in Richmond, Virginia.
In 2015, Jet (and Kevin) were recognized by Royal Canadian Mounted Police/Halifax Regional Police Integrated Major Crime unit for their participation in evidence searches. A year later, Jet received the Bamse Award from the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. The Bamse Gold Medal is awarded for exceptional acts of animal gallantry and devotion to duty.
According to Kevin McNeil, his handler, “the highlight of Jets career would be the occasions he was able to assist in bringing home loved ones and helping towards bringing closure to other families.”
Jet officially hung up his search harness on November 10, 2021.
Happy retirement Jet!
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Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency #emergencymanagement
