HRD Specialty Training Seminar

DIRECTOR & HOST

Laura Imbody-Reed
Laura is an evaluator for the American Working Dog Association. She is also a K9 handler and has a Certified Human Remains detection K9 and certified in wilderness and water recovery. Laura had handled and certified four K9’s in HRD and Area search with one additional K9 in training. Laura is also a State Coordinator for CUE Center for Missing Persons covering Ok

lahoma and Texas. She was previously employed as a probation officer in the State of Texas from 1985-2009 and then worked as a special investigator for the National Background Investigation Bureau from 2009-2019. She maintains and operates SARSTAR KENNELS training center in Texas. Laura is the Director and Host for the HRD Specialty Training Seminar from 2021-present. She was a Lead Instructor for the Intermediate Group from the seminars founding in 2015 to 2020. Laura has been involved in Search and rescue since 1985 with multiple certifications in all phases of SAR. Border Collies are her passion but has trained many different breeds. CERTIFICATION COORDINATOR

Mike Kennedy
Mike Kennedy is an evaluator and the Secretary for the American Working Dog Association (AWDA). He is also a canine handler with Pulaski County Emergency Services & Disaster Agency (PCESDA) and Community United Effort (CUE) for Missing Persons, as well as, a member of the Crawford County Emergency Services & Disaster Agency (CCESDA) Rescue Squad as an Emergency Response Diver Technician. Mike served twenty-six years in the United States Air Force in Security Forces and retired as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Following his service retirement, he began volunteering in search and rescue with El Paso County Search and Rescue (EPCSAR) Mountain SAR Unit in Colorado and currently works three dual-purpose certified canines in wilderness human remains detection and trailing out of southern Illinois. MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

Christina "Chris" Drury
Chris Drury is a seasoned veteran in the field of Search and Rescue, having dedicated over a decade of her life to the profession. She is an American Working Dog Association Evaluator (AWDA) for Search and Rescue. Chris has been training horses since she was a child, and the skills she learned while training horses naturally transitioned to K9 training. Her innate need to make a difference in the world can be seen in her work as an ICU Nurse for almost 20 years and became a natural extension into her role with Search and Rescue. She successfully handles Border Collies in HRD (Human Remains Detection) and Air Scent (Live Find Wilderness), as well as Bloodhounds in trailing. Additionally, she works with two German Shepherds in explosives detection. Chris has served on various SAR teams including CUE (Community United Effort) and enjoyed working as the K9 Director for Mark9 Search and Rescue in Dallas Texas for several years. Currently, she is the Director and Lead Trainer for Search and Rescue for Next Level K9 Texas where the mission is to evaluate and train K9 teams at the fundamental/instinctual level and provide individualized training based on the specific needs of each team. This ensures the proper foundation is laid to enhance their operational readiness in all disciplines. She recognizes a personalized approach to training, tailoring training methods and strategies to each individual team member. Chris’ philosophy can best be described as “We build on strengths and work on weaknesses”. This approach helps each K9 team reach its full potential while placing a special emphasis on foundational work. Edith "Edie" Wiley
I was raised far up North in Canada. There we had a big dog kennel of Huskies (50 plus dogs). I remember being as young as 8 and running a dog team. My husband and I moved to Wichita Kansas for work with our 5 kids. We always had dogs around and I enjoyed training them. Since then I trained four Live Find dogs, one Disaster dog, two Human Remains Detection dogs, and a Bed Bug Detection dog. I enjoy being with people and finding solutions to understanding each dog and their needs. Julie Wise
Julie is currently the Indiana State Coordinator for the CUE Center for Missing Persons. She has certified two dogs for HRD with two different national organizations and has begun work with dog number three. Julie has participated in missing persons searches in multiple states for various police agencies including the U.S. Marshals Service Operation Back track in Texas (Jan 2020), where she served as the Canine Coordinator. Julie began her journey with detection dogs in 2009 and is firmly convinced that she will never live long enough to learn everything she wants to know about working with dogs. One thing she does know for certain is that a volunteer k9 handler should be blessed with a big heart and a small ego. She enjoys working with people who understand the importance of the special bond the people form with their K9 partners and every seminar she attends brings new experiences and the chance to meet some great people. She doesn't consider herself a great dog trainer rather an enthusiastic cheerleader for folks willing to put in the time and effort to become an effective team. It gives her joy to see new handlers gain confidence in themselves and their dog and become an integral part of the small army of search dog handlers. Kelly Walker
Kelly is a retired sergeant with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office in Tallahassee, Fl. with 32 years of Law Enforcement experience and 8 years of Law Enforcement K-9 experience. She been involved with Search and Rescue since 2004 and has been a CUE Volunteer with The CUE Center since 2009. She has certified canines in Human Remains Detection and Trailing. Her Certifications have been with North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) and through National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) as well as the National Network of Canine Detector Services (NNOCDS) and American Work Dog Association (AWDA) National Association of Search and Rescue and United K9s. She is also a trailing instructor for NNOCDS and Florida Public Safety Institute and United K9s. She is a Human Remains Detection instructor for CUE HRD Specialty Training. She is an evaluator and with NASAR. She has numerous seminars and classes, ranging from search and rescue techniques, crime scene preservation, NIMS, HAZMAT training, Blood borne Pathogens education, and am First Aid and CPR Instructor through the American Health and Safety Institute (ASHI). She is also a Florida State Outreach Coordinator for Community United Effort (CUE) Center for Missing Persons. Kimberly "Kim" Camera
Kimberly is the co-owner of Urban Canine Pest Detection, which offers a unique, organic and sustainable way to identify harmful pests. Kim has spent the past 18 years training dogs affiliated with federal urban search and rescue (USAR) and human remains detection (HRD) teams. Kimberly holds seven FEMA certifications and has trained two Level 1 HRD dogs. She is proud to work with CUE in Texas as well as with the U.S. Marshals Service across the country. She is currently working on her apprenticeship with American Working Dogs Association (AWDA) as an evaluator. Recently, Kim has combined her unique talent for training scent dogs with her love for the outdoors and animals to co-create Urban Canine Pest Detection. Jim Smith
Jim Smith is a 16-year member of Summit Search and Rescue Dogs of northeast Ohio. Jim started in search and rescue to support his wife Kathi and her wilderness air scent dog, Jack. He enjoyed hiding for the dogs and watching them work. He moved into a field support role where he learned to read dogs, and eventually into operations. After 10 years, he was asked to handle one of the senior member’s dog in a beginning water HRD class and was hooked. Shortly after he found his first human remains dog, Nikkan, a German Shepherd. The team is AWDA certified. Jim is one of the team’s trainers and enjoys working historical sites. Lou Ann Metz
Lou has 29 years of experience in search and rescue. She is a founding member of Summit Search and Rescue Dogs in northeast Ohio. Summit Search and Rescue Dogs trains and services the 33,000 acre Cuyahoga National Park. She has trained, certified and handled wilderness air scent, HRD and forensic detection. She has 23 years of experience in historical grave detection, participating in searches for clandestine graves, Native American burials, as well as searches for pioneer and slave cemeteries. In addition, she has participated in searches of battlefields, She enjoys instructing and sharing lessons learned. Lou Ann is currently the Fire Chief of Bainbridge Fire Department and entering her 41st year as an emergency service professional. Patrick E. Horn
For the past 43 years Patrick has been a Professional FireFighter /Master Trainer in one of the Nation’s toughest neighborhoods. During those 41 years Patrick has obtained the title of Firefighter Officer, Hazmat Technician,acting Captain in charge of Water Rescue Operations, Rescue Boat Operations and has been trained in Fire and arson investigation techniques. Patrick is qualified in confined space rescue, flood water rescue, crime scene archeology, recovery of human remains and water rescue techniques for firefighters. He was a licensed EMT for the state of Missouri and was trained in Critical incident stress debriefing. For the past 40 years Patrick has been a dog handler and student of many methods and techniques of dog training. His earliest experience starting out as a teenager training duck dogs. Patrick was approached by a local coroner asking him if he thought he could use his experiences as a dog handler and train a dog to find dead people. He then started his education off right by taking a class from and mentoring with one of the world’s leading authorities in human remains detection dogs, Andy Rebmann. They remain close friends to this day. Patrick read Andy’s book, and combined with his own handling experiences, began working with local law enforcement K9 handlers to train his cadaver dog. In 1995 Patrick founded and became the Team leader for the first SAR team in the St. Louis area. Missouri Region “C” Technical Rescue Team K9 Division was formed. Since that time, the rest of the Region C Technical Rescue team has disbanded but MRC is still very much active and has answered and worked calls all over the United States. Pat and MRC began working with the FBI Evidence Recovery Team in the Midwest in the mid 1990’s. MRC was the first K9 team to be utilized by the FBI Evidence Recovery Team and together the 2 teams were quite successful. Patrick was then asked to teach for FBI Forensic Archeologist Mike Hochrein, who published Patrick in a few of the FBI journals Hochrein had written during his FBI career. Another of Pat’s accomplishments was being presented the “Exceptional Service in the Public’s Interest” award by Director of the FBI Louis Freeh in 2003. Patrick has earned the “Firemark Award” for having an outstanding act of valor and selflessly without due regard for personal safety when he and K9 Jetta located two 14 yo teenagers in inclement weather. This being just 2 of many awards that Patrick has received over the years with his K9 and his team. In addition to Patrick’s above experiences and accomplishments he has also the following training that assists him in his success as an instructor and speaker. Patrick has training in personal leadership, instructional techniques, Train the trainer standard operating procedures, preparing for incident command, program implementation, management and instructional techniques for the company officer. Patrick is also very proficient in the area of Cadaver dogs, water search dogs, area search dogs, dogs with aggressive behaviors, dogs with separation anxiety, personal protection and one of his favorite past times is to start a bloodhound pup get it to working age and donate them to a sheriff’s department in need of a trailing, scent specific dog. Patrick is also considered an expert witness in the state of Missouri when it comes to testifying in cases involving cadaver dogs and murder cases. Pat has been a member of CSAR, NAPWDA, IPWDA, NASAR and IAFF Local 2665. He has instructed St. Louis County Police and Fire Academies, MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute, an Instructor for Mo Emergency Training Specialties, FBI Forensic Archeology Training and CSAR HRD land/Water Instructor. Patrick also has many small weekend and individual training throughout the year for K9 handlers seeking additional training and improvement for their dogs. Pat Lamson
Passionate member of the Search and Rescue community since 2000
22 years’ experience as a SAR K9 Handler – HRD Land and Water
8 years experience in Historical Human Remains Detection field work
Deployed nationally and internationally
Founding director of K-9 ONE Search and Rescue
Founding member and training coordinator of Genesee County Search and Rescue -ground, mounted and bike units
Retired Genesee County Reserve Deputy
CERT Trainer and Community Outreach Coordinator for Genesee County
Previous instructor and evaluator for the institute of Canine Forensics
Previous instructor and evaluator for the Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States
CUE Instructor - K9 HRD
CUE State Outreach Coordinator for Michigan
Search Manager Instructor and Technical Search Planner
NSDA Evaluator – HRD Land and Water
NSDA Evaluations Program Administrator
NASAR SARTECH I
NASAR SARTECH II Instructor / Lead Evaluator
NASAR Wilderness First Aid Instructor
Member Michigan Professional SAR
Advanced Guild Member of Fortune Bay Expedition Team

Tracey Jones
Tracey has 24 years’ experience in search and rescue. She began in 1998 with Montgomery County Search and Rescue as a Ground Pounder then First Responder for the Hasty team. From 2000 to 2021, Tracey became a Human Remains Detection K9 handler with Special K9's Search and Recovery. She has undergone training with various trainers from around the country and has attended many seminars both as a participant and instructor. She has attended numerous workshops put on by agencies such as the FBI, Homeland Security, TEEX and has multiple certifications in all phases of Search and Rescue. Tracey has certified three (3) K9’s through various national certifying organizations in Human Remains Detection and Water Recovery and is training her fourth (4) K9 in these same disciplines. She has deployed on various searches around the US including Hawaii. Tracey is an Evaluator with the American Working Dog Association (AWDA), State Outreach Coordinator and K9 handler with Community United Effort (CUE) Center for Missing Persons covering Texas and Louisiana, Human Remains Detection K9 handler, American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and American Kennel Club (AKC) Fit Dog Instructor. Tracey values the opportunity to assist handlers and their K9s to build confidence, expand their knowledge, shape behaviors and train for future missions. Tudy Morris
Tudy Morris was a Service Dog trainer when she discovered search and rescue. She was one of the founding members of Lone Star Search and Rescue in the Houston area, established in 1994. She now lives in Ohio and is a member and Training Director for Summit Search and Rescue Dogs. She has certified one Area Search dog (her first) and five HRD dogs, two that she is working now. Her first dog was a Doberman, but now she works Australian Shepherds, her favorite breed. Tudy was a member of a Historical Search group that worked cold cases and also searched for missing cemeteries, as well as working with Native Americans to find burial grounds. She has instructed HRD classes and as a retired teacher, enjoys helping others to improve their skills. Vi Hummel Shaffer
Vi is a 32-year veteran Handler and Instructor in K9 Forensic HRD. She is also
the author of the highly acclaimed book “K9 Teams: Beyond the Basics of Search and Rescue and Recovery,” a Speaker, Court-qualified subject matter expert witness and Law Enforcement Consultant, specializing in K9 Human Remains Detection. She has received training from world- renowned experts in scent detection dogs, forensics and homicide investigations. Her extensive K9 search experience consists of all types of circumstances and situations in searching for human remains and includes working in the field with legend the late Dr. Clyde Snow. Vi is an Associate Instructor with Texas Forensic Associates; a Life Member - and although a civilian, was a five-year Executive Board Member of the Homicide Investigators of Texas and has over 550 continuing education hours in Advanced Homicide Investigation through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. She was a member of the FBI- Southeast Texas Evidence/Crime Scene Working Group for four years; and a member of the National Volunteer Advisory Board/University of North Texas Forensic Services Unit – Center for Human Identification from 2006 – 2014. Vi was also a Logistics Specialist with the federal Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) for 19 years, a two-term board member of DMORT Region 6 in addition to being an “unofficial” and then official DMORT Mass Fatality K9 Unit. In 2002, Vi was appointed the National Chair of the federal “Mass Fatality K9 Standards and Requirements Committee” by the Director of the United States Department of Health and Human Services/National Disaster Medical Systems/Office of Emergency Preparedness. Vi and her first K9 “Mercy” were recognized by the federal government as the First Mass Fatality K9 Team in the United States and by way of commendation from the Division of Emergency Management -Texas Department of Public Safety, Mercy was regarded as “The first nationally recognized Forensic Cadaver K-9.” In addition to assisting in hundreds of searches – predominately homicide - and searches for agencies across the state of Texas and beyond, Vi has been deployed to seven Mass Fatality Incidents including, the Shuttle Columbia Disaster and, at the request of the FBI, a member of “Operation Noble Eagle” the K9 Victim Recovery Team at the Pentagon in the aftermath of 9-11-01.