Liz Berna: Her Journey into Search and Rescue
Liz Berna didn’t set out with a grand plan to join Search and Rescue—it started with her German Shepherd named Gatlin and a shared love of dogs. While doing sport work and tracking with Gatlin, Liz came across someone who was in the Search and Rescue field and was interested by their work, which encouraged her to enter the field herself. That moment sparked her entry into the field, beginning as a live-find wilderness team in the Chicagoland area.
Over time, Liz shifted her focus into Human Remains Detection (HRD), where her work began to carry an even deeper meaning. Several years ago, her family experienced the pain of a missing loved one and the uncertainty that comes with it. It was a Search and Rescue K9 team that helped provide closure to her family—and that experience became a turning point in Liz’s journey. She now brings that same compassion and skill to the searches she leads, driven by a clear understanding of what families go through and the support they need.
A Close-Knit K9 Team
Liz currently has three Belgian Malinois: Roxy (age 7), Athena (age 4), and Recon (age 1). All three of them are part of the same bloodline, with Roxy—originally imported from the Netherlands—being the mother of both Athena and Recon. Liz shared that they all exhibit a strong work ethic and sociable demeanor.
Her dogs are not only hard-working but deeply connected to the people around them. They're social, friendly, and often bring comfort to others on scene. Whether they're working or simply leaning into a teammate for a moment of quiet reassurance, they bring more to a mission than just their noses—they bring heart.
Routine, Recovery, and Care
Keeping high-drive working dogs in peak shape is a daily commitment. Liz incorporates structured warm-ups and cooldowns into every training and deployment, alongside competition obedience to keep their minds sharp. She also uses the Canimetrics Program designed by Penn Vet Working Dog Center from the University of Pennsylvania as part of her regular conditioning.
Physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and preventive care are part of the routine too. Belgian Malinois are known for their intensity—and sometimes that means barreling into obstacles or overexerting themselves without showing pain. Liz has learned to watch closely for subtle shifts in behavior, as even minor changes can signal that something is off.
The Rewards of Search and Rescue
For Liz, working with her dogs is the reward in itself. What keeps her motivated is the ongoing challenge of learning—everything from how scent moves through different environments, to how to lead a search safely, efficiently, and with compassion. Beyond her role as a handler, she also supports incident command efforts and runs searches, helping make decisions that maximize a team’s chance of success. Search and Rescue is more than a skill—it’s a constant evolution and education, and Liz embraces every part of it.
Supporting Recovery with MYOS
When one of Liz's dogs suffered a CCL strain, Liz began exploring ways to support a long recovery. That search led her to MYOS Canine Muscle Formula, which she first learned about through a CFTE (Center for Forensic Training and Education) webinar. Once starting MYOS, the difference was noticeable—recovery accelerated, and progress became more consistent.
Since then, all of Liz’s dogs have been on MYOS. Whether recovering from injury or surgery, or simply staying strong for the psychical demands of search work, MYOS has become a regular part of their care. The support it provides for muscle maintenance, strength, and recovery allows Liz’s dogs to return to work faster and maintain the physical condition required for the job.
Firewall K9: Breeding for Purpose
In addition to her Search and Rescue work, Liz also runs Firewall K9, a kennel focused on breeding and training working dogs for Search and Rescue and law enforcement. Many of their dogs have gone on to serve across the country in high-impact roles. You can follow their journey on Instagram and Facebook @firewallk9, or visit firewallk9.com to learn more!
Liz Berna’s journey in Search and Rescue is rooted in purpose, experience, and deep devotion to her dogs. Through training, incident response, and raising the next generation of working K9s, she continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
For those inspired by Liz’s story, consider how you can support Search and Rescue teams in your community—and keep your own pets healthy and active with MYOS Canine Muscle Formula. Together, we can celebrate the incredible partnerships between humans and dogs that make the world a safer place!
