Open to all dog handlers involved in an organized search and rescue program. All dogs must be a minimum of 1 year in age to guarantee maturity and comprehension of the search process.
Instructors teaching the course are the best in North America.
Bud Mercer and Yvonne Thorton, members of the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association will be traveling to Tahoe. C.A.R.D.A. is responsible for most formal training up north and has aided other schools such as the Wasatch Dog School. Patty Burnett, who has taught at the National Avalanche School, clinics in Colorado, and is Copper Mountain's rescue dog authority will be coming in from Colorado. Sandy Bryson, local search and rescue handler and author will share material from her upcoming Search Dog Book. Dave Paridis, Kirkwood Ski Area Rescue Dog Director, gives some insight from a live ski area rescue.