CSAR MEMBER OF THE MONTH- February 2025
Name/K9 Name
Angie Crary
K9 Oakley
Current SAR Team/affiliation:
WIK9SOS Search & Rescue
How long have you been a member of CSAR?
Since 2020
SAR Discipline(s)
Live Area and HRD
How long have you been in SAR?
8 years
Favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"My favorite thing about SAR work is being given the opportunity to help people in need. Working with dogs, meeting great people and being part of a truly wonderful team are bonuses! "
Least favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"My least favorite thing about SAR work is an unsuccessful search. Going home and not knowing, especially when it's a missing child, is the hardest part of SAR for me."
What do you do outside of SAR?
"I'm a mom of three adult boys and a teenager, so most of the time I stay busy with school and sport activities and 4H animal projects. I love spending time with family and if I can spend time with them while gardening, cooking, hiking, camping, shooting archery or hunting, even better!"
Something folks might not know about you.
" Ice cream is my favorite food!"
Let's get social - Do you have a blog? A personal website? Team website? Facebook? Team Website?
CSAR MEMBER OF THE MONTH- MARCH 2025
Name/K9 Name
KD Keim
K9 Slim & K9 Pigeon (in training)
Current SAR Team/affiliation:
Great Plains Search and Rescue K9's (GPSK9s) in Wichita KS
Red Dirt/OSAR in Oklahoma
How long have you been a member of CSAR?
"I believe this is the start of my second year."
SAR Discipline(s)
"K9 Slim is trailing.
I attended my first CSAR seminar in an advanced area with K9 Natty.
Pigeon is in training for trailing with some article work. "
How long have you been in SAR?
"I'm a newbie with just 6ish years under by belt."
Favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
" So many things! Working with the community, the travel, meeting all the new people and the dogs! All of the things that we learn along the way. "
Least favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
" The holes we find in the dark while trekking behind a bloodhound. "
What do you do outside of SAR?
" Outside of SAR I am working on being a mom to a teenage boy, while working full time with a rental management company. We recently moved from Wichita Kansas to Edmond Oklahoma, which has been a big thing and an adjustment for everyone. "
Something folks might not know about you.
" I would like to explore the world of conservation detection after my son graduates high school. "
Let's get social - Do you have a blog? A personal website? Team website? Facebook? Team Website?
Both teams can be found on Facebook.
CSAR MEMBER OF THE MONTH- APRIL 2025
Name/K9 Name
Linda Binkley
K9 Banks
Current SAR Team/affiliation:
Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue
How long have you been a member of CSAR?
"3 or 4 years"
SAR Discipline(s)
Trailing
How long have you been in SAR?
"22 years"
Favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"The challenge of a mission with no one knowing the outcome. Getting to put all of your training and knowledge to the test and learning invaluable lessons you can’t recreate in training."
Least favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"Drying, cleaning, and reorganizing gear after a training/mission in the PNW!"
What do you do outside of SAR?
"I am blessed to have a full time dog job working an explosives K9 and team trainer for the Boeing Co."
Something folks might not know about you.
"My husband and I make our yearly vacation in conjunction with the CSAR seminar. We try and fit in as many NFL games as we can around the seminar. We are always thrilled if it is anywhere near WI!!!"
Let's get social - Do you have a blog? A personal website? Team website? Facebook? Team Website?
" Our K9 team has a FB page: Snohomish County Search & Rescue K9 Team "
CSAR MEMBER OF THE MONTH- MAY 2025
Name/K9 Name
Ellen Hottmann
K9 Bodie
Current SAR Team/affiliation:
Minnesota-Wisconsin K9 Search & Rescue
How long have you been a member of CSAR?
"1 year"
SAR Discipline(s)
Trailing and HRD
How long have you been in SAR?
"5 years"
Favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
" I love the teamwork with my dog and watching her really love her work. I love that I am always learning something new and that we can potentially provide a service to a family in need. "
Least favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"Mosquitos and steep hills."
What do you do outside of SAR?
"I enjoy hiking, spending time at Lake Superior, reading, cooking and traveling. I also run Bodie in FastCAT trials and participate in my local AKC dog club activities."
Something folks might not know about you.
"I used to work for an international organization and on a trip to Uganda I got to go on a mini safari which I will never forget."
Let's get social - Do you have a blog? A personal website? Team website? Facebook? Team Website?
"Our team website is mnwik9sar.org, and team Facebook page is Minnesota-Wisconsin K9 Search and Rescue "
CSAR MEMBER OF THE MONTH- JUNE 2025
Name/K9 Name
Karen Scobbie
K9s Pippa and Dashiell
Current SAR Team/affiliation:
NWI K9 Search and Recovery
How long have you been a member of CSAR?
"7 or 8 years"
SAR Discipline(s)
HRD
How long have you been in SAR?
"9 years"
Favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"The great mentors, friends and dogs I’ve been blessed to meet."
Least favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"Ticks."
What do you do outside of SAR?
"Wealth Management Client Associate"
Something folks might not know about you.
"I was part of a cake decorating team that won our episode of Ultimate Cake Off and also appeared on Extreme Christmas Trees on TLC over one million years ago."
Let's get social - Do you have a blog? A personal website? Team website? Facebook? Team Website?
CSAR MEMBER OF THE MONTH- July 2025
Name/K9 Name
Linda Keen
K9s Angel and Destiny
Current SAR Team/affiliation:
ILLWIS - Illinois Wisconsin Search Dogs
How long have you been a member of CSAR?
Since 2022
SAR Discipline(s)
Trailing and HRD
How long have you been in SAR?
"12 years"
Favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
" Call Outs: Searching to Find the Missing Person"
Least favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"Pushing through dense brush, tugging thorns, making it difficult to navigate through."
What do you do outside of SAR?
"Listening to audiobooks, playing cards, and spending time with my grandchildren"
Something folks might not know about you.
"I volunteer with additional agencies, supporting their Search and Rescue (SAR) Teams, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Emergency Management Agency (EMA) activities, search management operations, trainings, and by teaching classes "
Let's get social - Do you have a blog? A personal website? Team website? Facebook? Team Website?
https://illwissardogs.org/ - Website
Illinois Wisconsin Search Dogs – Facebook page
CSAR MEMBER OF THE MONTH- AUGUST 2025
Name/K9 Name
Carl Robinson
K9 National Anthem II
Current SAR Team/affiliation:
Proud member of Southern Pride Search Dogs in North Carolina.
How long have you been a member of CSAR?
" I joined CSAR in 2013 and am honored to now be a Life Time member. "
SAR Discipline(s)
"Anthem is trained in Human Remains Detection (HRD). I’ve also had two incredible dogs in the past — Heidi and Czar — both HRD, tracking/trailing, and area scent dogs. They’ve since passed but left a lasting legacy."
How long have you been in SAR?
"My SAR journey began in 2012 when I started training my first German Shepherd, working with Orval Banks and the Southern Pride Search Dog team. Orval insisted I attend CSAR, and in 2013 I did just that. It was an unforgettable experience that hooked me for good. The training I’ve received at CSAR has been top-tier, and the connections I’ve made have made my SAR work deeply rewarding. "
Favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"Hands down, working with the dogs and watching their growth over time. Collaborating with emergency management to plan searches and training with my Southern Pride Team. "
Least favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
" Not being able to bring closure to families when a loved one is missing — that weighs heavy."
What do you do outside of SAR?
"I'm retired, but I keep busy in the garden, doing yard work, playing pickleball, and lending a hand with community projects."
Something folks might not know about you.
"Let’s just say I have a soft spot for power tools, lawn equipment, and anything with a tractor seat. I’m always finding a reason to fire up my tractor — plowing, mowing, you name it. And yes... my wife thinks my tractor is sexy!"
Let's get social - Do you have a blog? A personal website? Team website? Facebook? Team Website?
Southern Pride Search Dogs – K9 Search and Rescue for North Carolina and surrounding states
CSAR MEMBER OF THE MONTH- SEPTEMBER 2025
Name/K9 Name
Brad Knaack
K9 Mozzarella
Current SAR Team/affiliation:
Newbold Fire Department Search & Rescue
How long have you been a member of CSAR?
1 year
SAR Discipline(s)
Trailing, HRD and Water HRD
How long have you been in SAR?
"5 years"
Favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"The challenge of training, the challenge of the actual calls and working as a team. The possibility of providing closure for families."
Least favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"Mosquitos and Ticks"
What do you do outside of SAR?
"I am self employed as a Property Manager. I’m the Assistant Fire Chief for Land O’ Lakes Volunteer Fire Department. I’m an EMR with the Land O’ Lakes Ambulance Service."
Something folks might not know about you.
"I used to be a cat owner."
Let's get social - Do you have a blog? A personal website? Team website? Facebook? Team Website?
https://www.facebook.com/NewboldFire - Facebook Page
CSAR MEMBER OF THE MONTH- OCTOBER 2025
Name/K9 Name
April Mehaffey
K9s Sunnie
Current SAR Team/affiliation:
MinnSARDA
How long have you been a member of CSAR?
Almost 2 years
SAR Discipline(s)
Trailing
How long have you been in SAR?
"2.5 years"
Favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"Learning how to read Sunnie and how odor travels and impacts a search. Also really like learning about being a supportive & reliable team member."
Least favorite thing(s) about SAR work?
"Hot and humid days."
What do you do outside of SAR?
"I work in medical research that has a great flexible schedule to allow time for call outs. I have another dog, a coonhound mix, Vinnie. Vinnie, Sunnie, & I spend lots of time hiking, trail running, and generally being outside as much as possible. I love spending time with folks that enjoy dogs and training but also enjoy time with family and friends doing non-dog things. It’s all about balance!"
Something folks might not know about you.
"Before SAR came into my life, I intended to do Bitesports with Sunnie but the process didn’t go as planned (does it ever?). When the opportunity came up to check out MinnSARDA and see how she would do, we were hooked."
Let's get social - Do you have a blog? A personal website? Team website? Facebook? Team Website?
Our team website is minnsarda.com.
My Instagram handle is @alifewith_vinnie_sunnie.