K9 Spotlight: Kristi Melton & Atticus

Kristi Melton & Atticus

K-9 Search and Rescue

Atticus and I are certified as a team in Scent-Specific Trailing, where we work in Search and Rescue and are members of the Civil Air Patrol. We've been involved in Search and Rescue since September 2022 and currently deploy in West Virginia and the surrounding states. We're active members of Timing is Everything Search and Recovery, LLC (based in Kentucky), and the Civil Air Patrol's Mid-Valley Composite Squadron, where we focus on the Emergency Services Training and Education Program. From the moment I brought Atticus home, I began conditioning him in all-terrain agility under the mentorship of Sam Pinion from Night Stalker Guardians. At around six months of age, we started training in Scent-Specific Trailing. We have worked with various Search and Rescue groups and have had successful deployments, resulting in loved ones being brought home. Our very first deployment was a success, where we located a gentleman with dementia and sundowning syndrome and reunited him with his family. Our most remarkable and blessed deployment was assisting in a multi-agency, multi-day search for a man who had been missing for 13 days in the Red River Gorge, Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky. He was found alive thanks to the hard work of all participating agencies and canine teams, leading to his reunion with his family. As we continue conditioning for SAR and working to inspire CAP cadets in K9 Search and Rescue, we rely on our gear to endure extreme conditions and stand the test of time. I am pleased to say that the equipment from Ray Allen has met all expectations. We don't take it easy on our gear, yet it remains as durable as it was on day one.

Their Gear: Original RAM Black Leather Agitation Muzzle, Handle Leather Tracking Harness, Icon Air Harness and Swiss seat attachment

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