What an amazing training! In fact it was so fun this is the only photo we even thought to take. 😆 Kevin and a group of 5 intrepid volunteers staffed 5 stations out in the woods. Members navigated to each point and performed a task, such as fire starting, shelter building, clue detection, coordinate reading, and more. We had a great turnout and lunch at the end. 😁 Our next training will be Sunday Nov 23, in the afternoon, exact time TBD. (fb)

HISTORY HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN MADE! In 2016, Terry Nowacki of the American Equine Scenting Association made the first of four trips to Maine to teach a multi-day scent detection clinic. One of our founding members, Sharon, attended with her gelding Kodak, and they were hooked. Kodak showed incredible promise from the very beginning! Over the past nine years they, along with members of Highlands Search and Rescue, MESARD (Maine Search And Rescue Dogs), and the Maine Association for Search And Rescue (MASAR) Standards Committee, have worked tirelessly toward this goal. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Warden Service has been wonderfully open to the concept, sending Wardens to several training sessions and demonstrations, each one impressed by the possibilities. One Warden even successfully worked his dog in cooperation with Kodak. Today, Sharon and Kodak successfully passed their Mounted Air Scent Certification Testing! Once their certificate is finalized, they will become the first regionally or state-certified Mounted Air Scent Team in history. To our knowledge, the State of Maine certification standard for Mounted Air Scent Detection is the only one of its kind. Photos are limited because everyone was focused on the work today. We'd like to shout a huge thank-you to Jay and Nikki (and Tonka) from MESARD, who spent the day hiding, proctoring, and riding with our certifying team. Nikki in particular has worked with us for several years to solve some of the logistical issues we faced with testing this new resource. This was the first time Jay had seen a horse work scent, he is a believer now! Thanks also to Highlands members Kevin (logistics support) and Rachel (hider), and Meca (landowner), for their time and efforts. Finally, we would like to extend enormous gratitude for Sharon's hard work and dedication over the years, breaking the way in the development of this new resource. We couldn’t be more excited for our other mounted members to begin their certification journeys soon! There are 3 tests, so it's definitely a process. If this sounds amazing to you, and you think you and your horse might make a great team, reach out and let’s talk! This is the perfect time of year to get started. 😁 Message us here or visit www dot highlands-sar dot org today. (fb)