Search Response K9

Canine Water Sports
Team Swim Certificate 2008
Judge: Lisa Pattison

Denise started her Search & Rescue career in 1996. She has certified her dogs in cadaver (land & water), wilderness and urban search and rescue. Denise’s first certified HRD dog, Phoenix, had many water recoveries and participated in the recovery efforts on Staten Island, NY after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Denise and her most recently retired search partner, Maverick, have been actively involved in Canine Water Sports since the summer of 2008.  As injuries and the aging process take their toll, Maverick can enjoy water sports activities with less wear and tear on his body.  Denise & Maverick successfully passed their Canine Water Sports, Team Swim on October 12, 2008.

Erica began her canine training eight years ago with her Newfoundland Fozzie.  She has earned titles in Agility, Rally-O, and Canine Water Sports.  As Fozzie gets older, water work has been the perfect activity to focus their training efforts on, plus it makes for a fun day out on the water with her canine companions.

Erica began her water training in 2006 when she was introduced to Deborah Lee Miller-Riley and Canine Water Sports.  Erica uses the techniques introduced to her by Deborah Lee and other positive trainers from her obedience and agility training days. Erica is also busy training her second dog, Molly, for the Newfoundland Water Dog Test.

Some of Denise and Erica’s fondest memories are training with a group of friends to collaborate on training styles and problem solving puzzles.  The training club Denise and Erica are nurturing comes from these experiences.  As Denise says “Many hands make light work.”  Water work cannot be done alone.  It takes tons of equipment and lots of different people in and out of the water to train water tasks properly.  We look forward to training with others that share this same vision.

Proud members of APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers)