Spike's School SAR Registration Form

Introduction

Spike’s K9 Fund was founded in 2014, to provide active and retired working K9s the support, equipment, and post-retirement care they need and deserve.

The goal of our Spike’s School - SAR Edition program is to educate and improve communication between handler and K9 through top-notch training from exceptional and recognized trainers across the country. Quality training results in increased effectiveness in the workplace and safer handling, protecting everyone involved - and this is our goal.

Spike’s K9 Fund was founded by James Hatch, a retired member of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and named after his first working K9 “Spike” who was killed in action in 2006. James was a K9 handler on multiple combat deployments. He and his team regularly relied on the K9’s to preserve their lives. On the night James was wounded in 2009, a K9 named “Remco” saved his life while losing his own. Now James is committed to preserving K9 lives in the same, dedicated way that the K9’s preserved human lives.

We will be teaming up with the Center for Forensic Training and Education (CFTE) to provide the best education possible. They provide innovative and customizable training and operational support to agencies and individuals regarding all aspects of the preparation and execution of search and recovery scenes.

This training will be 100% funded by our donors. We want to ensure everyone’s time is valued. Thank you in advance for your commitment to be better, thus making a difference in the K9 community and YOUR community.

Spike’s School will be sponsoring 6 working spots in CFTE’s HRD Water Advanced Scenarios Workshop / June 13-15, 2021 near Dayton, OH and 8 working spots in the HRD Land Advanced Scenarios Workshop / June 17-18, 2021 near Dayton, OH.

If selected for one of the Spike’s School working spots your registration fee will be covered.

Qualifications:

To be considered for Spike’s School, applicants must be an active and deployable member of their SAR agency and have a current K9 certification from a recognized external agency. Applicants must also meet the workshop prerequisites for which they are applying. Complete the Spike’s School application and submit all supplemental documentation by 3/30/2021.

Interview: Finalists will be selected in early March to schedule an interview via Zoom with Spike’s K9 Fund.

Award Announcement: Award recipients will be announced by April 20, 2021. 8 handlers will be selected for the HRD Land Advanced Scenarios Workshop and 6 handlers will be selected for the HRD Water Advanced Scenarios Workshop.

* MUST READ: Spike’s Fitness Test: Arrive prepared. This was a theme in our Founder’s former line of work that remains with us today. We believe it is important to be prepared for the job at hand. As a requirement for each course sponsorship, we are asking every applicant, with their K9, to complete a 1-mile hike with the handler carrying 25lbs. in 20 minutes or less. Each applicant will be tested the first morning of the workshop before the course begins.

If unable to pass the fitness test, the applicant is responsible for Spike’s School fees of $425 which will need to be paid the first morning of the workshop.

Handler's Name

First Name Last Name

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number

Email

example@example.com

Agency (Agencies)

Handler's total time in SAR?

Which Spike's School opportunity are you applying for?

HRD Water Advanced Scenarios HRD Land Advanced Scenarios BOTH

Emergency Contact Person

First Name Last Name

Emergency Person Phone Number

Relationship to Emergency Contact Person

K9's Name

K9's Age

K9's Bio

How long have you been training this dog for SAR?

Discipline(s) the dog is certified in:

HRD Land HRD Water HRD Disaster Area Search Tracking / Trailing Live Find Disaster Other

Certifying Agency

Number of K9s certified and their discipline?

Describe your experience on K9 search operations.

Why should you be considered for Spike's School?

How will the opportunity to participate in Spike's School improve your K9 SAR skills?

How will you take what you learn at Spike's School and incorporate it into your agency's training?

When something goes wrong in training or during a search operation, who bears the responsibility for the performance break down?

Copy of Current K9 Certification *

Copy of Current K9 Vaccinations *

SAR Agency Letter of Recommendation *

Letter of Recommendation from LE or FD you have conducted searches for *

Current photo of handler & K9 in uniform *

SAR Resume *

I read and understand the terms regarding the Spike's School fitness test. I understand that if I do not pass the test, I will be personally responsible for Spike's School fees of $425 which will need to be paid the first morning of the workshop.

Handler's Signature *

Clear

This application must be completed by 3/30/2021. Incomplete applications will be discarded without consideration. For questions about the Spike’s K9 Fund contact emily@spikesk9fund.org and for questions about workshops contact deana@thecfte.com.

I hereby declare that the details furnished above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and I undertake to inform you of any changes therein, immediately.

Handler's Signature *

Clear

Date Signed

Date

Spike's School

Handler Information

K9 Details

Additional Info

Required Documents

Release & Agreement