SAR Class Schedules

2024 SAR Class Schedules & Locations:

Four (4) Day Multi Scent Discipline Seminar “Air Scent and Human Remains Detection”

Hosted by:   Yavapai County Search and Rescue

Contact:  Heather Lum 

Location:  Prescott AZ, 86327

Dates:  January 17-20, 2024

Instructors:  Matthew T. Zarrella and James Rawley

CLASS IS FULL

________________________________________________________________________________________________

One Day Land Human Remains Detection Search Seminar Training and/or Evaluations

Hosted by:  Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue

Contact:  Liz Burne

Location:  Harwinton Fairgrounds, 15 Locust Road, Harwinton CT.

Dates:  April 14, 2024

Instructor:  Matthew T. Zarrella

This class is reserved for members of CCSAR.

CLASS IS FULL

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Five Day (45) Hour Water Search Class

Hosted by: MECCA Volunteer Fire Department

Contact:  Becky Saltzmann, 702-321-9153 bsstocker@yahoo.com

Location:  10321 Silica Sand Road, Garrettsville, OH 44231

Dates:  April 22-26, 2024

Instructors:  Matthew T. Zarrella, James Rawley 

The purpose of this course is to train you and your canine partner in the skill of searching for a submerged body while working along the waters edge on shore as well as in a water craft.  The class will focus on refining your dogs ability to detect the presence of scent from a deceased human body eminating out of the water.  This course will also cover the theories and practical aspects involved in a water search and will review actual cases involving K-9 teams who have located submerged bodies while working from a water craft.  The canine team will also experience training in a number of practical field exercises which will allow you to apply the classroom instruction to actual field operations.

Class includes 8 hours of classroom and 37 hours of fieldwork with instruction on:

  1. how to conduct a search along the shore line
  2. how to conduct a search on a water craft 
  3. how to search different bodies of water 
  4. the proper use of training material  
  5. scent theory pertaining to water search
  6. training principles used in shaping dogs for water search
  7. water search training techniques

It is recommended that the canine team have some prior training in locating human remains on land before taking this class.  Classes will run from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM daily.  

It is also recommended that each student come prepared for class with a copy of the Cadaver Dog Handbook. 

Evaluations will be offered on the last day of the class and the instructor(s) reserve the right to recommend which canine team(s) are ready to test.   

Certificates of attendance will be issued to every canine team who completes the (45) hour class. 

  • A non refundable deposit of $200.00 is required to register for the class and must be received by March 1, 2024.   However, the sooner you get your depost in the sooner I can reserve your seat.
  • Class tuition:  $750.00 per canine team. 
  • One canine per handler.
  • Lodging recommendations for students:  Fairfield Inn Warren Niles 1860 Niles-Cortland Road, SE Warren, Ohio 44484.  
  • https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1702042645710&key=GRP&app=resvlink 

  • Registration forms will be e-mailed to all canine team participants to be filled out and returned to me at 140 Mourning Dove Drive, Saunderstown, RI 02874 RI.  They can also be scanned and e mailed back to me as well.
  • Lunches will be provided for students and snacks will be available throughout the day.  For more information or to register for a spot in the class please contact me at 401-226-1631 mzarrella@ampkt.com or Becky Saltzmann at 330-847-9579 bsstocker@yahoo.coThe above curriculum is subject to change based on the needs of the class.  Students should be prepared to work in various weather conditions.

Please make check payable to American Patriot K-9 Training LLC, 140 Mourning Dove Drive, Saunderstown, RI 02874 RI.

 CLASS IS FULL but I am accepting names for a waiting list.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Two Day Water Search Seminar

Hosted by:  Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue

Contact:  Liz Burne

Location:  Rainbow Reservoir, 541 Rainbow Road, Windsor Locks, Connecticut

Dates:  May 4-5, 2024

Instructor:  Matthew T. Zarrella

This class is reserved for members of CCSAR.

CLASS IS FULL

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Four (4) day Water Search Training and Certification Seminar 

Hosted by:  Chesapeake Search Dogs  

Contact:  Sandy Banthem sandybanthem@chesarda.org

Location:  Scotts Cove, 11004 Harding Road, Scaggsville MD 20723

Dates:  May 16-19, 2024

Instructor:  Matthew T. Zarrella

CLASS IS FULL

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Three Day CCSAR Water Search Invitational Seminar

Hosted by:  Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue

Contact:  Liz Burne

Location:  Rainbow Reservoir, 541 Rainbow Road, Windsor Locks, Connecticut

Dates:  June 7-9, 2024 

Instructor:  Matthew T. Zarrella

Class enrollment is obtained through invitation only by members of CCSAR.

CLASS IS FULL

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Three (3) Day Trailing Seminar  

Hosted by:  North West Pennsylvania K-9 SAR

Contact:  Amy Machinski   (amymachinski@gmail.com)

Location:  Erie PA

Dates:  June 20-23, 2024

Instructor:  Matthew T. Zarrella

CLASS IS FULL

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Three Day Multi Discipline Training Seminar (Area search, Trailing, Human Remains Detection)

Hosted by:  Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group

Contact:  Christopher Ruch (ruch@amrg.info)

Location:  195 Cabin Road, 15050, Georgetown Pittsburg PA 15043

Dates:  July 19-21, 2024

Instructors:  Matthew T. Zarrella, Jeremy Pell 

CLASS IS FULL

____________________________________________________________________

 Six (6) Day Crime Scene Search Class

Hosted by:  American Patriot K-9 Training LLC

Contacts:  Matthew T. Zarrella or Mark Chapman 

Location:  Owens Center for Emergency Preparedness 30150 Tracy Road, Walbridge Ohio 43465

Dates:  September 9-14, 2024

Instructors:  Matthew T. Zarrella, James Rawley

This course concentrates on realistic search scenarios to include crime scenes, evidence search, disarticulated remains, line up searches, residual scent work, vehicle search, fire scenes as well as positive and negative search scenes.

Prerequisites:  

  • Successful completion of American Patriot K-9 Training LLC Basic Land Cadaver Search course and/or the equivalent certification.  
  • Handlers must be in good physical condition and capable of working in the field for extended periods of time.
  • Canines must automatically perform a trained indication at the target odor without cueing from the handler.
General Information:
 
  • Canines should be:  obedience trained, sociable, physically capable of the work required. 
  • Handlers are responsible for the conduct of their dogs at all times.  
  • It is recommended that each student come prepared for class with a copy of the Cadaver Dog Handbook. 
  • Certificates of attendance will be issued to every canine team who completes the (54) hour class.
  • Evaluations will be offered on the last day of the class and the instructor(s) reserve the right to recommend which canine team(s) are ready to test.   
  • A non refundable deposit of $200.00 is required to register for the class and must be received by July 1, 2024.   However, the sooner you get your depost in the sooner I can reserve your seat.
  • One canine per handler.
  • Lodging recommendation for students:  Mark has reserved a block of 20 rooms at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites with a daily rate of $85.00 per night plus tax and no pet fee.  The address of 1154 Professional Drive, Perrysburg OH 43551, phone number 419-872-0000.  
  • Registration forms will be e-mailed to all canine team participants to be filled out and returned to me at 140 Mourning Dove Drive, Saunderstown, RI 02874 RI.  They can also be scanned and e mailed back to me as well.

Tuition:  Class tuition:  $875.00 per canine team. 

For more information or to register for a spot in the class please contact me at 401-226-1631 mzarrella@ampkt.com or Mark Chapman at 419-260-8380 chapmanm@bex.net.

The above curriculum is subject to change based on the needs of the class.  Students should be prepared to work in various weather conditions.

Please make check payable to American Patriot K-9 Training LLC, 140 Mourning Dove Drive, Saunderstown, RI 02874 RI.

CLASS IS FULL but currently taking names for a waiting list

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Five Day (45) Hour Water Search Class

Hosted by: American Patriot K-9 Training LLC

Contact:  Washington State contact is:  Sharmin Dominke phone#  206-795-0804 or 

e mail: sharminbaumann@hotmail.com or you may contact me.

Location:  Lake Sawyer, 22698 SE 296th Street, Black Diamond, WA 98010

Dates:  October 21-25, 2024

Instructors:  Matthew T. Zarrella and James Rawley 

The purpose of this course is to train you and your canine partner in the skill of searching for a submerged body while working along the waters edge on shore as well as in a water craft.  The class will focus on refining your dogs ability to detect the presence of scent from a deceased human body eminating out of the water.  This course will also cover the theories and practical aspects involved in a water search and will review actual cases involving K-9 teams who have located submerged bodies while working from a water craft.  The canine team will also experience training in a number of practical field exercises which will allow you to apply the classroom instruction to actual field operations.

Class includes 8 hours of classroom and 37 hours of fieldwork with instruction on:

  1. how to conduct a search along the shore line
  2. how to conduct a search on a water craft 
  3. how to search different bodies of water 
  4. the proper use of training material  
  5. scent theory pertaining to water search
  6. training principles used in shaping dogs for water search
  7. water search training techniques

It is recommended that the canine team have some prior training in locating human remains on land before taking this class.  Classes will run from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM daily.  

It is also recommended that each student come prepared for class with a copy of the Cadaver Dog Handbook. 

Evaluations will be offered on the last day of the class and the instructor(s) reserve the right to recommend which canine team(s) are ready to test.   

Certificates of attendance will be issued to every canine team who completes the (45) hour class. 

  • A non refundable deposit of $200.00 is required to register for the class and must be received by September 14, 2024.   However, the sooner you get your depost in the sooner I can reserve your seat.
  • Class tuition:   ($775.00) per canine team. 
  • A canine team is defined as one canine and one handler.  
  • Lodging recommendations for students:  There are cabins and a camp ground located at the park that students may rent or reserve.  We are currently working on this for you so more information to follow soon.  
  • Registration forms will be e-mailed to all canine team participants to be filled out and returned to me at 140 Mourning Dove Drive, Saunderstown, RI 02874 RI.  They can also be scanned and e mailed back to me as well.
  •  For more information or to register for a spot in the class please contact me at 401-226-1631 or mzarrella@ampkt.com or Sharmin Dominke at 206-795-0804 or sharminbaumann@hotmail.com. 

The above curriculum is subject to change based on the needs of the class.  Students should be prepared to work in various weather conditions.

Please make check payable to American Patriot K-9 Training LLC, 140 Mourning Dove Drive, Saunderstown, RI 02874 RI.

CLASS IS FULL

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Four (4) Day Ohio Federation Multi Scent Discipline Certification/Re certification Seminar 

Hosted by:  Ohio Federation Canine Search and Rescue 

November  7-10, 2024 Location:  Camp Friedlander, 581 Ibold Road, Loveland Ohio 45140

Instructors:  Matthew T. Zarrella, James Rawley, Dan O’Neil 

Contact person:  Gloria Napier at e-mail: ginapier@fuse.net

This seminar is specifically for those teams associated with the Ohio Federation of Canine Search Teams.

CLASS IS FULL

________________________________________________________________________________________________

One (1) Day Human Remains Detection Training and/or Evaluations Seminar

Hosted by: Connecticut Canine SAR 

Contact:  Liz Burne

Location:  Indian Rock Nature Preserve, 501 Wolcott Road, Bristol CT

Date:  November 17, 2024

Instructor:  Matthew T. Zarrella 

This is for CCSAR team members only

CLASS IS FULL

________________________________________________________________________________________________

One (1) Day Human Remains Detection Training and/or Evaluations Seminar

Hosted by: Connecticut Canine SAR 

Contact:  Liz Burne

Location:  Camp Hartell, 580 North Street, Windsor Locks Connecticut 06096

Date:  December 8, 2024

Instructor:  Matthew T. Zarrella

 This is for CCSAR team members only 

CLASS IS FULL

Sign Up For A Class Here