L to R - Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta

2010 in Review
SARDAA members finished off 2009 with
a very successful Casino, so in 2010 we
have had a hectic time buying equipment
and offering training of all types for
our membership. The Active Members
participated in a total of 12 searches
conducted by the Edmonton Police Service,
Edmonton Fire Service or RCMP; official
mock searches were also part of our year.
SARDAA continues to attract new members
on an on-going basis - many dogs are
evaluated by our team for aptitude and if
they show potential, they are invited to
join us.
As of December 2010, we have nine
Active dog/handler teams plus six Support
Personnel. Our Friends of SARDAA
category currently has six members who
are staunch supporters and helpers whom
we value immensely! We also have five
teams working their way though our
training program; we hope they will be
ready for their final evaluations in 2011.
Highlights
Early in the year, SARDAA conducted a
K-9 First Aid course with vet tech Karen
Anderson from the Edmonton Veterinary
Emergency Clinic here in Edmonton.
We spent two separate sessions at Delta
Helicopters preparing the dogs and
handlers for helicopter transportation.
Safety protocols are very important for the
SARDAA group at chopper
training session
handlers to learn and it was beneficial to
get the dogs used to the noise, wind and
flying experience!
Wing Night in March is an annual social
night with silent auction held at Average
Joe’s in Sherwood Park; Wing Night
is an opportunity for our friends and
supporters to come out for an evening of
camaraderie. Watch the SARDAA website
for details on the 2011 Wing Night event.
SARDAA made its first appearance on
FACEBOOK in 2010 – become a friend!
January and February practice
sessions on Sunday mornings
experienced several cancellations this
year – temperatures below –15 C and
blowing snow forced us either indoors or
to cancel altogether.
However, March saw the beginning of a
hectic year ahead…
Time out to thank to Jim Dobie (www.
jimdobiephotography.com) for his
exceptional dedication and outstanding
photographs he provided of our group.
You will see several examples in this
publication.
The Active Team dog teams received
newly redesigned and printed trading
cards to pass out to friends, associates
and relatives, or small, crying children!
On the subject of Marketing – SARDAA
has a new ‘window shade’ style display
and a brochure to match, thanks to
the expertise of James Shrimpton of
Helix Design Communications here in
Edmonton. See James’s work at - www.
helixdesigns.com
Associate Member Mike Arychuk and
GSD Jaida successfully completed the
requirements for a Tracking Dog title
with the Canadian Kennel Club this year
– congratulations to you both! Jaida’s
breeder Julie Schawb generously donated
funds in recognition of the work Jaida
Scent Dog News... 5