An Unexpected Start in Search & Rescue

For this month’s Search & Rescue spotlight, we had the pleasure of speaking with longtime search and rescue K9 handler Tami Treadway, whose journey in the field began nearly three decades ago.

In 1997, Tami was working as a shelter supervisor for the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office, a position she held for 30 years before retiring. She was also involved in disaster animal response work throughout Florida when she met a group of people who encouraged her to join a developing Search & Rescue organization.

At first, Tami wasn’t sure if she had the time to take this on. But after attending a training with a Lab/Jack Russell cross from the shelter, she quickly found herself drawn to the field.

What started as an opportunity to give a dog something meaningful to do grew into decades of dedication to Search & Rescue. Over the years, Tami took on numerous roles within her organization, including K9 trainer, deputy incident commander, team leader, president, and secretary.

Early in her search and rescue career, Tami imagined herself responding to major disasters, earthquakes, and floods. A fire chief encouraged her to first learn the skills necessary to serve her own community and understand her own backyard. Tami took that advice to heart, attending as many classes and training opportunities as she could and building a foundation that would shape the rest of her SAR career.

Meet Tami’s K9 Partners

Today, Tami shares her journey with several working dogs, including her newest addition, Ransom, a 13-week-old Belgian Malinois puppy.

Her current K9 partner, Jade, is an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois trained in tracking and trailing as well as human remains detection (HRD). Tami also works with Loche, her two-year-old Hanoverian Plott cross hound dog trained in tracking and trailing.

Over the years, Tami has worked with many breeds, including several other Belgian Malinois, a German Shepherd, Border Collies, and a Golden Retriever. In fact, one of the most notable cases of her career was completed alongside her Golden Retriever. While she has enjoyed working with many different dogs, Belgian Malinois have become a particular favorite.

Finding Purpose in the Search

When Tami first entered Search & Rescue, much of the excitement came from training her dogs and hoping to locate a missing person. Over time, however, her path increasingly led her toward human remains detection.

Although this work can be emotionally difficult, Tami came to recognize the importance of helping provide answers to families who are waiting for a missing loved one to be found. A successful search may not always bring the outcome everyone hoped for, but it can allow a family to have the closure they need. 

Building Trust Through Training

After decades in Search & Rescue, Tami knows that preparing a dog for the field involves much more than teaching them how to find a scent.

One of her priorities is building endurance, both physically and through nose work. If a dog becomes accustomed to searching for only a short period of time during training, a real-world search that lasts much longer can present an entirely different challenge. Tami works to prepare her dogs to continue searching effectively for extended periods while maintaining their physical fitness.

Her own conditioning has become part of that process, too. After moving from the relatively flat terrain of Florida to the mountains of North Carolina, Tami found herself adjusting to the physical demands of working in a much different environment.

Supporting Jade’s Strength and Recovery

Keeping her dogs physically prepared for SAR has also led Tami to learn more about canine conditioning and rehabilitation.

Currently, she works with a local veterinarian who offers restorative therapy for Jade. Through the program, Tami has gained a deeper understanding of canine muscle groups, how they work together, and how Jade uses them both during exercises and in the field. Jade has been making encouraging progress through her physical therapy and conditioning work.

Nutrition and supplementation are another part of Tami’s approach to supporting her working dogs. She first learned about MYOS nearly five years ago during a canine class. After researching the product and discussing it with her veterinarian, who highly recommended it, she decided to incorporate it into her dogs’ routines.

More recently, MYOS has been part of Jade’s routine as she works through shoulder issues and recovery. Tami increased Jade’s MYOS according to the recommended serving and feels it has made a meaningful difference in her recovery. She now regularly recommends MYOS to other trainers and handlers, particularly for older working dogs whose demanding jobs can put significant stress on their bodies.

A Continued Commitment to Service

From reluctantly attending her first Search & Rescue training in 1997 to becoming a trainer, leader, and experienced handler, Tami’s journey reflects a lifelong commitment to learning, service, and working alongside her dogs.

Today, that journey continues in a new state, on new terrain, and with another generation of K9 partners. Whether she is building a foundation with young Ransom, keeping Loche prepared for tracking and trailing, or supporting Jade through conditioning and recovery, Tami continues to bring decades of experience to the Search & Rescue community.

We’re grateful to Tami for sharing her story with us and for the countless hours she has dedicated to training dogs, helping other handlers, and serving families and communities through Search & Rescue.

If you are interested in learning more about the world of search and rescue, consider reaching out to your local team for ways you can donate or get involved!