David W

David W - Unit 4

Hometown: military brat

Status: K9 Handler -&- VSRDA President

Alter Ego: Recreation Center Pool Manager

Qualifications: CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Advanced First Aid, SCUBA. VSRDA/State Evaluator. FTM and FTL with VDEM

DOG: K9 Sirius Black

Recommended Reading: So That Others May Live: Caroline Hebard & Her Search-And-Rescue Dogs by Caroline Hebard

Major Deployments/Misc: David has responded with his 1st dog to over 34 missions, covering everything from drownings to a plane crash and lots of missing people (hunters, hikers, Alzheimer's and children). He also responded to the recovery efforts in the New Orleans 9th Ward after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Most Memorable Moment:"Becoming Operational with my first dog, K9 Hero."

Notes:David joined the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association in 1999. A long time dog lover and owner (he owned a Samoyed and a dachshund), he decided to get into search and rescue with his next dog after seeing the rescue dogs working at the Oklahoma City bombing. He read up on the topic, reading in particular "So That Others May Live" by Caroline Hebard, and became committed to joining a team. He found VSRDA through a simple web search and came to the team without a dog. The team assisted him in advice on what to look for in a dog, and shortly after he got Hero, a German shepherd from working lines.

Hero was flown from Missouri to Reagan International Airport. Then a small ten-week old pup with floppy ears, he grew to be a 95 pound impressive looking canine. David and Hero were certified in wilderness airscent searching since 2003 and water recovery work as well. Hero broke his femur in half when he was only two years old, and he would set of metal detectors when he went through them due to the metal plate and screws in his leg. Hero participated in a huge number of demonstrations at camps, scout meetings, fire station open houses, church functions, county fairs, and other events. David and Hero educated kids how not to get lost in the woods, what to do if they ever end up lost, and demonstrate Hero's agility, obedience, and searching abilities. David and Hero responded to countless searches in Virginia, and, as well, have responded to searches in West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Hero sadly passed away in 2008, surrounded by family and friends, due to cancer.

David has been the VSRDA President and ARDA Team Representative in addition to being a team Evaluator. He has also held the positions of Treasurer and Vice President. David also assisted in the 9th Ward area of New Orleans during the recovery efforts shortly after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as a K-9 Escort.

Photos of David

David and K9 Sirius took a trip to Peru

David and K9 Sirius completed their 160-acre to become Operational! 

Teaching a jump alert isn't always comfortable.... K9 Sirius is a Bark alert now! 

David and his first SAR K9, Hero.