Canine Handlers
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Mary Berry
Mary Berry K9 Handler | Colorado Forensic Canines
Mary Berry has been active in Search and Rescue since 1986, with certifications in trailing, wilderness air scent, cadaver, and disaster response. She founded Sandia Search Dogs in 1999 and served as both dog handler and team veterinarian for New Mexico Task Force One (FEMA) from 1993 to 2007, deploying to hundreds of missions including 9/11 and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
A licensed veterinarian, Mary frequently presents on canine training and field first aid at SAR conferences across the Southwest. She is NASAR SAR Tech II and NM Field Certified, and was honored with the Ralph Dawdy Memorial Award for her service to the SAR community. She authored the canine chapter in the Boy Scouts of America’s Search and Rescue Merit Badge book (2013).
Mary currently handles Indy for CFC and is training her newest pup, Tanner.
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Lette Birn
Lette Birn K9 Handler | Colorado Forensic Canines
Active in K9 Search and Rescue since 1989, Lette has deployed nationally with FEMA’s NM Task Force One and participated in hundreds of wilderness and forensic searches. She responded to major incidents including 9/11, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and wildfires in Paradise, CA and Ruidoso, NM. Her current partner, Finley, is certified in human remains detection through NAPWDA and NNCDS.
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Kris Brock
Kris Brock Board member I K9 Handler | Colorado Forensic Canines
Based in Cody, Wyoming, Kris Brock has worked with search dogs since 2002 and is a certified K9 handler. She currently trains and deploys with her Yellow Lab, Colt, who holds certifications in wilderness/air scent, water, and human remains detection through TriState, NNCDS, and CFC. Her newest pup, Stryker, is in training.
Kris is also a member of True North Search Dogs (MT) and Park County Search and Rescue (WY). She is trained in GPS navigation, man-tracking, off-road and snowmobile operations, ICS, Wilderness First Aid, and CPR.
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Dayna Dominguez
Dayna Dominguez K9 Handler | Colorado Forensic Canines
Dayna has been active in K9 Search and Rescue since 2012, with experience in trailing, cadaver, and air scent work. She holds SAR TECH II and NM SAR Field certifications and has served in leadership roles with Sandia Search Dogs. In 2015, she deployed with NM Task Force One (FEMA) as a canine handler.
Dayna currently works with K9 November, a German Shepherd/Karelian Bear Dog cross certified in human remains detection, obedience, and wilderness live find. Her young dog, Echo, is in training.
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Bonnie Guzman
Bonnie Guzman K9 Handler, Board Member I Colorado Forensic Canines
Bonnie Guzman began her Search and Rescue career in 2007, specializing in human remains detection with Dobermans, including historic recovery work. Following a distinguished career as a Registered Nurse, she now serves as a Deputy Coroner for Park County, Colorado.
Her first two Dobermans, Porter and Octavia, each had long, successful careers and were honored as Service Dogs of the Year by the United Doberman Club. She currently works with her third Doberman, Swift Run’s the Peacemaker (“Dimash”).
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Jeff Liddle
Jeff Liddle K9 Handler | Colorado Forensic Canines
Jeff Liddle transitioned to search and rescue in 2020 following a career in outdoor and adventure education, where he led wilderness expeditions, directed outdoor programs, and served as head of a boarding school. His working dog experience spans bird dog hunting, sled dog handling in northern Minnesota, and K9 search operations with Larimer County Search and Rescue (LCSAR) and SARDUS.
Jeff joined Colorado Forensic Canines in 2025 and lives in Estes Park, Colorado with his wife.
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Katy Lindberg
Katy Lindberg K9 Handler I Colorado Forensic Canines
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Linda Meincke
Linda Meincke K9 Handler | Colorado Forensic Canines
Linda Meincke has spent a lifetime working with hunting dogs, successfully training eleven bird dogs over 35 years. In 2015, she transitioned to Search and Rescue with Mountain Canine Corps in Los Alamos, NM, partnering with her Doberman, Banner, who was certified in wilderness airscent and human remains detection. Banner was also NAPWDA-certified in HRD and is honored on the front page of our website following her tragic loss in the line of duty.
Linda continues her SAR work with her current dogs, Gambel (a Vizsla) and Rever (“Rivvie”), a Golden Retriever.
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Martha Miller
Martha Miller K9 Handler | Southwest Rescue Dogs
Martha Miller and her English Labrador, Jack, began their search and rescue journey in 2022, specializing in human remains detection. Jack previously worked as a patient care assistant in an internal medicine office, and together they found a shared passion for SAR. They are active members of Southwest Rescue Dogs (SRDI) in Tucson, where Martha also serves on the board of directors.
A native of Winter Park, Martha has a lifelong connection to the outdoors through skiing, horseback riding, long-distance running, and cycling. She practiced as a self-employed internist in Tucson and now enjoys retirement exploring the desert and mountains with her dogs.
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Cheryl Oetting
Cheryl Oetting K9 Handler | Colorado Forensic Canines
Cheryl Oetting has been active in Search and Rescue since 1999 and was a founding member of the Massachusetts Canine Response Team. Her first Australian Shepherd, Piper, was certified in live find air scent under Massachusetts standards. In 2016, Cheryl began human remains detection training with her second Aussie, Josie, who has since earned multiple certifications, including HRD Land (NNCDS), Buried (CFC), and obedience (NAPWDA).
After relocating to Colorado in 2019, Cheryl joined Colorado Forensic Canines and continues her work in HRD with Josie. She is currently training her third Australian Shepherd, Pete, for future certification.
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Cindy Oliver
Cindy Oliver K9 Handler, Board Member | Colorado Forensic Canines
Cindy has been active in Search and Rescue for over 16 years and joined Colorado Forensic Canines in 2015. She currently handles two mission-ready Labrador Retrievers, Popper and Princeton, both certified in human remains detection through Sandia Search Dogs and NAPWDA.
A SAR TECH II certified responder through NASAR, Cindy has held multiple leadership roles with Sandia Search Dogs, including president, training officer, and membership officer. She also served as secretary for the New Mexico Search Council from 2010 to 2013.
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Kim Sadar
Kim Sadar K9 Handler, Board Member | Colorado Forensic Canines
Kim Sadar began training search and rescue dogs in 2005 and has worked across multiple disciplines including trailing, human remains detection (HRD), historic HRD, wilderness air scent, and evidence recovery. She currently handles two working dogs, AJ and Brody.
A native of Colorado and retired firefighter, Kim is also a co-founder of Colorado Forensic Canines and continues to play an active role in the organization’s leadership and mission.
Field Technicians
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Jen Brown
Jen Brown Field Technician | Colorado Forensic Canines
Jen began training in Search and Rescue in 2021 and joined Colorado Forensic Canines in 2022. With a professional background in accounting and a lifelong passion for the outdoors, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, traveling, and spending time with her dogs.
Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Jen grew up exploring the woods and waterways—experiences that instilled a deep appreciation for nature and adventure. After relocating to Colorado in 2015, that connection to the outdoors naturally led Jen to the SAR community.
Jen is currently working toward becoming a certified Human Remains Detection (HRD) canine handler and remains committed to ongoing training and field experience.
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Giancarla Calzetta (GC)
Giancarla Calzetta (GC) Field Technician | Colorado Forensic Canines
Giancarla Calzetta began her Search and Rescue career in 2011 with Chesapeake Search Dogs and the Maryland Natural Resources Police. After relocating to New Mexico in 2024, she joined Mountain Canine Corps and became a field technician with Colorado Forensic Canines in 2025. GC holds NASAR Advanced SARTECH I and Wilderness First Responder certifications, and has previously certified multiple canines through NASAR.
Outside of SAR, GC enjoys camping, climbing, mountain biking with her wife Lynne, and trail running with their three rescue dogs.
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Steve Elbert
Steve Elbert Field Technician & Mapping Coordinator | Colorado Forensic Canines
2024, marks a decade of service for Steve as a field technician and mapping coordinator with Colorado Forensic Canines. Prior to joining CFC in 2014, Steve was part of an independent search effort for a father and son lost in the Mt. Evans Wilderness area—an experience that sparked a lasting commitment to search and rescue work.
With a strong background in navigation and field support, Steve contributes mapping expertise to CFC operations. Personal interests include skiing, hiking, biking, golf, and travel.
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Chelsie Fleischer
Chelsie Fleischer Field Technician | Colorado Forensic Canines
Chelsie Fleischer joined Colorado Forensic Canines as a field technician in 2025, bringing a diverse background in science, agriculture, and academic research. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Juniata College and a Master’s in Medical Anthropology from CU Denver, with additional training in Forensic and Biological Anthropology. Her interest in forensics began with a coroner’s office internship in 2005.
Chelsie spent over a decade conducting research at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and currently co-owns a sustainable urban farm in Colorado. She also works part-time with Cobalt, a reproductive rights organization. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, she is passionate about hiking, backcountry camping, and exploring the natural world with her family.
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Karen Gotski
Karen Gotski SAR Techinician | Colorado Forensic Canines
A Colorado resident for over 20 years, Karen brings extensive outdoor experience through hiking, skiing, backpacking, and rock climbing. Currently pursuing a personal goal of summiting Colorado’s 100 highest peaks, [Name] has developed strong navigation skills using maps, compass, GPS, and digital mapping tools.
With a background in aviation, Karen graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and served as a pilot in the Air Force before retiring from a major airline. Early exposure to navigation—thanks to a father who served as an Air Force navigator—sparked a lifelong interest in geospatial technology and led to a passion for geocaching beginning in 2007.
As a member of Colorado Forensic Canines, Karen supports field operations and contributes technical expertise to enhance the team’s use of mapping and navigation tools.
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Faye Manceaux
Faye Manceaux Field Technician | Colorado Forensic Canines
Faye Manceaux brings over three decades of experience in education and canine training to her role as a field technician with Colorado Forensic Canines. A lifelong dog enthusiast, she has trained four dogs to Schutzhund titles, specializing in tracking and obedience.
An avid hiker with a deep appreciation for the outdoors, Faye combines physical endurance and wilderness skills to support K9 teams during search operations across Colorado.
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Lindsay Nelson
Lindsay Nelson Field Technician | Colorado Forensic Canines
Lindsay Nelson brings a lifelong passion for the outdoors to her role as a field technician with Colorado Forensic Canines. Raised in Wyoming, she developed strong wilderness navigation skills through hiking, backpacking, and geocaching. Her comfort in remote terrain enhances her contributions to SAR operations.
A former Army physical therapist with nearly eight years of active duty service, Lindsay now serves in the Reserves and works at a civilian clinic in Colorado Springs. She enjoys global travel and actively volunteers with local athletic and outdoor organizations.
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Susan Schwartz
Susan Schwartz Field Technician | Colorado Forensic Canines
Susan Schwartz brings decades of backcountry experience to her role as a field technician with Colorado Forensic Canines. Her outdoor pursuits include hiking, climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, and snow sports, with extensive travel using traditional navigation methods prior to GPS availability. Since 2003, she has actively geocached, combining technology with exploration.
Susan has summited all 14,000-foot peaks in the lower 48 states and all peaks above 13,000 feet in Colorado and Utah. She has also completed two long-distance thru-hikes. Her deep familiarity with rugged terrain and logistical planning makes her a valuable asset to CFC’s search operations.
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Ben Shontz
Ben Shontz Field Technician I Colorado Forensic Canines
Ben Shontz joined Colorado Forensic Canines in 2024, bringing a background in anthropology and biology along with professional experience as a death investigator in Utah. His strong foundation in forensic science and fieldwork supports his role in search operations across varied terrain.
An avid outdoorsman, Ben enjoys hiking, climbing, and playing hockey, and values time spent with friends and family. His passion for wilderness exploration and commitment to continued learning make him a valuable member of the CFC team.
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Eric Sorensen
Eric Sorensen Field Technician | Colorado Forensic Canines
Eric Sorensen joined the Search and Rescue community in 2018, bringing a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a strong technical background. Raised in rural Nevada, he has spent decades hiking, hunting, and exploring remote terrain. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Utah State University and worked in aerospace for NASA before spending the past 20+ years at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Eric is NM SAR Field Certified, has completed advanced mantracking courses, and works with a certified wilderness air scent dog. His navigation skills and field experience make him a valuable asset to CFC operations.
Adjunct Team Members
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Gary Scott
Gary Scott Board Member | Field Coordinator | Forensic Anthropologist Colorado Forensic Canines
Gary Scott holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he studied under Dr. William Bass, founder of the first forensic research facility known as the "Body Farm." He has served as an adjunct anthropology instructor at Metropolitan State University of Denver since 2011 and volunteers with their Human Identification Laboratory. He also spent 25 years teaching at the Community College of Aurora.
As a forensic archaeologist, Gary specializes in the recovery and identification of human remains, from scattered skeletal elements to clandestine graves. He has assisted numerous law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. Gary values the strong collaboration between Colorado Forensic Canines and the forensic anthropology community.
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Don Blair
Don Blair Training Advisor | Colorado Forensic Canines
Don Blair began his career in K9 work as a police officer, serving five years as a K9 handler before advancing through multiple roles with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including Canine Enforcement Officer, Instructor, Course Developer, and Canine Branch Chief. His responsibilities included overseeing anti-terrorism inspections, special enforcement operations, and canine training and research programs for the Department of Homeland Security.
In 1984, Don founded Canine Intelligence Academy (CIA), where he has spent decades refining canine learning through operant conditioning techniques studied worldwide. He applies these methods across disciplines, including AKC obedience, Schutzhund (IPO), and K9 Nose Work, and continues to consult for law enforcement, military, SAR teams, Amtrak, and personal protection organizations.
Don is a certified judge with the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) in tracking, detection, obedience, and protection, and serves as an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator. Colorado Forensic Canines is honored to train with Don a minimum of six days annually.
More about Don and his full CV can be found at www.ciak9.com/about.
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Cyndal Groscof
Cyndal Groscof Anthropologist | University of Denver
Cyndal Groscof began her anthropology career at the University of Denver in 2010, where a geophysics course sparked her specialization in ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Over the past decade, she has applied this non-invasive technology to a wide range of projects, including law enforcement investigations, cemetery mapping, and historical archaeology.
Cyndal has collaborated extensively with Colorado Forensic Canines, combining expertise to navigate complex terrain across multiple states. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Archaeology at the University of Denver, with a continued focus on GPR and minimally invasive research methods.
For consultation inquiries related to ground-penetrating radar, Cyndal can be reached at 719-641-9284 or cyndalgroskopf@gmail.com.
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Silvia Pettem
Silvia Pettem Historical Research | Cold Case Specialist
Silvia Pettem is a self-employed researcher, author, and public speaker with a focus on cold cases, unidentified remains, and long-term missing persons. After two decades of historical research for individuals, businesses, and local governments, she shifted her focus in 1996 following the discovery of a Jane Doe gravestone—launching a successful investigation chronicled in her book Someone’s Daughter: In Search of Justice for Jane Doe.
An associate member and Medal of Honor recipient of the Vidocq Society, Silvia serves on the consulting committee of the American Investigative Society of Cold Cases, volunteers with the Boulder Police Department’s Detectives Section, and sits on the advisory board of Families of Homicide Victims & Missing Persons. She also teaches NamUs courses sponsored by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Her latest book, Cold Case Research: Resources for Unidentified, Missing, and Cold Homicide Cases, supports investigators working on unresolved cases.
For more information, visit www.silviapettem.com or contact her at pettem@earthlink.net.
Our Canine Partners
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AJ
AJ SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Kim Sadar
Discipline: Human remains detection, obedience and trailing.
Certifications: NAPWDA Cadaver & Obedience - 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
SARDUS Human Remains Type lll & lV - 2018, 2021
NNCDS HRD Land - 2022, 2023, 2024
CFC Operational Component Assessments:
- Obedience 2022, 2023, 2024
- Buried Search 2022
- Water/Shoreline 2024 -
Brody
Brody SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Kim Sadar
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, Wilderness/Land
Certifications: SARDUS Human Remains Type lll & IV - 2019, 2022, 2024
NAPWDA Cadaver & Obedience - 2021
NNCDS HRD Land - 2023
CFC Operational Component Assessments:
- Obedience 2023, 2024
- Building Search 2024SARDUS HRD Type III and IV: 2/2018, 2021
NAPWDA Trailing: 5/2017
SARDUS Trailing: 11/2017
NNCDS Land Cadaver: Sept. 2023
CFC Standards Test, buried. November 2022
Obedience, 2022
SARDUS HRD III & IV 2019 and 2022.
NAPWDA in Human Remains and obedience, 2021.
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Colt
Colt SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Kris Brock
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, Wilderness/Land
Certifications: Colt is certified in HRD Land with NNCDS and CFC Obedience in September 2025.
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Dimash (Mashi)
Mashi SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Bonnie Guzman
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, Wilderness/Land
Certifications: Swift Run’s The Peacemaker, AKA Dimash.
Obedience, CFC Standard, Sept. 2024
Land Cadaver- NNCDS Sept. 2023, 2024
Buried- CFC Standard- November 2022
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Echo
Echo SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Dayna Dominguez
Discipline:
Certifications:
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Finley
Finley SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Lette Birn
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, Wilderness/Land
Certifications: Finley is certified in obedience and human remains detection through NAPWDA, 2021 and 2022, and with NNCDS 2023 and 2024.
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Gambel
Gambel SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Linda Meincke
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, WIlderness/Land
Certifications: human remains and obedience through NAPWDA 2021, 2022
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Hondo
Hondo SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Katy Lindberg
Discipline:
Certifications:
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Indy
Indy SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Mary Berry
Discipline: Human Remains Detection & Area Search, Wilderness/Land
Certifications: NAPWDA, Obedience and Human remains detection, 11/2018, 2019, 2021, 2022,2023,2024
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Jack
Jack SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Martha Miller
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, Wilderness/Land
Certifications: AKC Good Canine Citizen May 2022
SRDI Wilderness HRD May 2023
SARTECH II Certification active through November 2027
NNCDS Land HRD September 2024
CFC Standards Obedience September 2024
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Josie
Josie SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Cheryl Oetting
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, Wilderness/Land
Certifications:
HRD/obedience in 2021.
Josie certified in HRD Land, Sept. 2023 with NNCDS. Certified via CFC Standards in Buried, Nov. 2022
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Kismet
Kismet SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Jeff Liddle
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, Wilderness/Land, Water
Certifications: SARDUS Type I Wilderness Trailing, SARDUS HRD-Type III/IV, SARDUS HRD-Large Area/Large Source, SARDUS Water Search Type II – Still Water (shoreline and boat), and SARDUS Water Search Type I – Moving Water.
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November
November SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Dayna Dominguez
Discipline: Human Remains Detection Area and Buried, Wilderness live find
Certifications:
Cadaver and Obedience, NAPWDA 2017 thru 2023 (present)
Human Remains Detection Area and Buried, Sandia Search Dogs 2016-present
Canine Good Citizen, AKC 2015
Wilderness Area Live Find, Sandia Search Dogs 2015-present -
Pete
Pete SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Cheryl Oetting
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, Wilderness/Land
Certifications: In-training!
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Popper
Popper SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Cindy Oliver
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, WIlderness/Land
Certifications: NAPWDA Obedience and Cadaver, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022,2023, 2024
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Princeton
Princeton SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Cindy Oliver
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, Wilderness/Land
Certifications: NNCDS Land Cadaver, 2023
Buried certification, CFC Standard, 11/2022
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River
River SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Linda Meincke
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, WIlderness/Land
Certifications: human remains and obedience with NAPWDA 2023 and 2024
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Stryker
Stryker SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Kris Brock
Discipline: Human remains detection
Certifications:
CFC Operational Assessments:
- Building Search 2025
- Vehicle 2025
- Urban 2025 -
Tanner
Tanner SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Mary Berry
Discipline: Human Remains Detection, Wilderness/Land
Certifications: In-training!
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Tavi
Tavi SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler: Bonnie Guzman
Discipline:
Certifications:
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Xoey
Xoey SAR K9 | Colorado Forensic Canines
Handler:
Discipline:
Certifications: