Lisa’s journey into the world of Search and Rescue (SAR) didn’t start with a plan—it started with a rescued walker hound and a casual comment in an obedience class with her dog. Encouraged by a trainer there and her vet to find “a job” for her escape-artist hound, Lisa was introduced to the world of Search and Rescue and quickly fell in love with the work. While her first dog wasn’t quite cut out for the demands of SAR, Lisa's passion and potential were clear, and she was encouraged to find a new partner who was up for the job. That led her to her bloodhound—and the beginning of a long and meaningful career helping others through K9 search and rescue.

Over the years, Lisa has trained and worked with several dogs, each bringing their own strengths to the job. Her dogs have held roles in everything from water cadaver searches to therapy work, tracking, and trailing. Today, she works with a variety of breeds including bloodhounds, a retired pit bull mix named Dash, and a high-energy border collie cadaver dog named Saylor (who happens to be rewarded with a rubber chicken during training!).

A Day in the Life of a SAR K9 Handler

Lisa’s daily routine depends on which dog she’s working with. Some of her dogs, like her bloodhound Ember, tend to be more relaxed with an "off switch" when they’re not working. Others, like Sailor the border collie, are bursting with energy and enjoy more frequent mental and physical stimulation.

Their activities include walks, hikes, scent games, and even herding exercises on a local farm (though Sailor stays on a harness and long line to stay safe around the cattle). Lisa’s commitment to keeping her dogs sharp is evident in how she balances physical exercise, obedience, and mental games—even on stormy days when training indoors is the only option.

The Work, the Bond, and the Reward

For Lisa, the most rewarding part of being a SAR handler is the deep bond she builds with her dogs. While the ultimate goal is to serve the community and help those in need, the relationship she forms with each dog—built on trust, communication, and teamwork—is something she treasures.

While some handlers see dogs as tools, Lisa views hers as partners. “I really work at it,” she says of her connection with her dogs. That dedication shows in the way she tailors activities to each dog’s personality and in her passion for helping them reach their full potential.

The Training Process

Lisa certifies her dogs through national SAR organizations such as NASAR (National Association for Search and Rescue), where she is also an evaluator. Her team trains regularly, working on everything from scent drills to crime scene-style searches using trace evidence like swabs or drops of blood. They also conduct “negative” training—where no scent is present—to ensure the dog continues to work hard and search thoroughly, regardless of outcome.

Her dogs participate in monthly training sessions with the local sheriff’s department as well, running blind tracks and continuing to sharpen their skills for real-world deployments.

How MYOS Is Helping Lisa’s Dogs Stay Strong

Lisa first heard about MYOS from her dog's massage therapist, who was treating one of her dogs with a shoulder injury. That dog, Amber the bloodhound, had recently started losing muscle mass in her flank. Within six weeks of starting MYOS, Lisa noticed a visible improvement—Amber’s muscle returned, and her energy was back.

At a recent training session, Amber, now nine years old, outran the flanker and completed her task with ease. “She couldn’t keep up with this nine-year-old bloodhound!” Lisa told us. 

Inspired by the results, Lisa also started giving MYOS to Dash, her 13¼-year-old (yes, she gives him that extra quarter!) retired pit bull mix. Though retired from SAR work, Dash still enjoys training and staying active. “He’s just so happy and energetic,” Lisa said. “I’m 100% supportive of this product. I even told my vet about it!"

A Lifelong Bond

Whether she’s evaluating for NASAR, training her border collie with a rubber chicken, or taking her bloodhound on a herding adventure, Lisa’s passion for SAR work and love for her dogs is undeniable. Through years of service, countless searches, and meaningful community impact, Lisa and her dogs continue to show what dedication, teamwork, and the right support—including MYOS—can accomplish.