Interested in helping K-9 Alert but not sure if membership is right for you? We're always looking for part-time volunteers to help us with additional training exercises, scenarios, and field tests. It's the ultimate game of "hide and seek".
Day volunteers will help our team (and potentially another team) with field tests to ensure our dogs meet the state standards. These tests simulate a real mission and may require you to spend multiple hours by yourself off-trail and in a forested area.
Interested in joining our team? Learn how to become a member.
You should feel comfortable spending a significant time outdoors during any potential weather condition. Safety is our number one priority, but we can't control the weather.
We will brief you on expectations, and then hike out with you to a strategic location, and equip you with a radio to communicate with our team should their be an emergency or a change to the test. After that, the evaluators will return to the test candidate and you'll be on your own until we find you.
Water - Enough to last you through the day. We may need you to subject on multiple tests.
Weather Appropriate Clothing - You should dress as though you will be spending a day outside (No cotton!). Long sleeve shirts and pants are recommended for protection. We train in all weather in all seasons. Be sure to check the forecast! If the weather calls for rain, plan appropriately. You'll be hiking off trail so you'll want good durable boots and socks, you may even want to bring an extra pair of socks. Bring durable gloves and eye protection.
A pack - You'll want something to put your water, extra clothing, cellphone, and snacks in. A regular backpack will do fine.
Food - Definitely bring enough to eat for potentially one or two meals. You may want to pack a cooler. You may also want to bring some snacks to keep your energy up.
Personal Comfort Items - You may want to bring sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, sunglasses, bandanna, etc. You should prepare as though you will be going on a light to medium intensity hike. Don't bring trekking poles!
Personal Entertainment - You may want to bring a book or some other from of personal entertainment. You may not have cellphone reception where you are located. Bring a spare battery as a back up (there's no USB chargers or outlets in the woods). If you are listening to music or an audio-book, bring ear buds or headphones. You may need to hear us, so make sure it's not too loud or distracting.
An emergency contact we can reach - Just in case an accident happens.
