Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue - Pacsar

10/27/2026

Training doesn’t always happen in the field!

This weekend, PACSAR took our training indoors! We had the pleasure of hosting Jay Vilardo, JDVSAR, who gave our team an in-depth lesson on CalTopo.

CalTopo is the mapping software we use to map, plan, and organize our trainings and searches. Jay walked us through the program’s capabilities and helped ensure our team is making the most of this valuable tool to stay organized, work efficiently, and be better prepared when a search is called.

We’re always looking for ways to learn, improve, and strengthen our skills because every bit of preparation matters when our community needs us! 🗺️📍

10/22/2026

This week two of members, Alison Summers and Jen Lettich-Snyder, attended the Camp Hill NAPWDA Seminar where they and their K9 partners certified in Obedience, Building Search, Trailing, and Area Search!

10/19/2026

ORANGE IS IN! 🦺🍂

While orange is a staple in Search and Rescue, it’s especially important this time of year!

With hunting season underway in Pennsylvania, including Sundays, and Sunday being our primary training day, keeping our handlers and canines visible while training in the woods is a top priority.

Our handlers wear orange, while our canine partners sport orange vests and/or bells to help alert hunters to our presence.

We encourage everyone to wear orange, stay visible, and stay safe while enjoying the outdoors this season!

A little extra visibility can make a big difference!

10/13/2026

PACSAR has been busy learning, training, and growing!

Our team members have recently attended several great training opportunities, including the Old Dominion K-9 Seminar in Virginia and the Advanced Water Recovery Seminar at Western Carolina University.

We also had the pleasure of hosting Alex Tkacenko to work with our Air Scent teams! Thank you Hackman Construction (Manheim PA) for allowing us to train at your facility.

We’re proud of our members for continuing to build their skills and knowledge to help keep our team ready when called upon. Every opportunity to learn makes us stronger!

10/09/2026

From Jennifer Lettich-Snyder and K9 Zero

🐾❤️ **A BIG THANK YOU TO PROTECTION 4 PAWS!** ❤️🐾

Zero is officially equipped with a K-9 Trauma Kit thanks to the generosity of Protection 4 Paws! 🐕‍🦺🩺

As K-9 handlers, we know our four-legged partners give us everything they have, whether they’re searching, tracking, training, or helping bring someone home. They work hard, push through tough conditions, and trust us to keep them safe while they do what they were born to do.

Having the right medical equipment on hand can make a critical difference when seconds count. This kit is more than just supplies — it’s another layer of protection for a partner who gives so much to others.

As a Certified Veterinary Technician, I’m especially appreciative of the importance of having proper medical supplies readily available and knowing how to utilize them when an emergency arises. Having the right equipment is one part of the equation, but understanding how and when to use it is just as important. My veterinary background gives me an added appreciation for being prepared to provide appropriate first aid and stabilization to our K-9 partners until further veterinary care can be obtained.

From Zero and me, thank you, Protection 4 Paws, for investing in the safety and well-being of our working K-9s. Your generosity helps handlers like me be better prepared to care for the partners who give so much of themselves in service to others. ❤️🐾

**They protect us with their hearts. We protect them with everything we have.**

🐾❤️

09/15/2026

This past weekend, five of our handlers and their canine partners had the opportunity to attend the All-Search North Penn Seminar, spanning all three disciplines! 🐾

Each team had the opportunity to learn, grow, and gain valuable knowledge and new perspectives that they can bring back to our greater team and share with fellow handlers and canine teams. Continuing education and learning from experienced instructors is an important part of keeping our team prepared and always improving.

Trailing:
Alison & K9 Aldo
Kristy & K9 Sloan
Noel & K9 Arla
worked with instructor Alex Tkacenko.

Human Remains Detection (HRD):
Kathy & K9 Kody
worked with instructors Lisa Kakavas and Kerrie Garges.

Air Scent:
Michelle & K9 Valr
worked with instructors Ann Frank and Tracy Siek.

We’re proud of all five teams for putting in the work, challenging themselves, and bringing that knowledge back to strengthen the entire team. Great job, everyone! 👏🐕‍🦺

Thank you to North Penn for putting together a great seminar, thank you to the invaluable instructors, and thank you to D. Scicchitano Photography for coming out and taking pictures!

09/01/2026

PACSAR would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Reinholds VFW Post 6759 for their generous donation and support of our team.

The VFW’s mission of fostering fellowship among veterans while strengthening local communities is truly admirable. Their commitment to supporting local emergency services is one of the many ways they make a positive impact.

We are grateful for their partnership and generosity. Strong communities are built when organizations come together to support one another, and together we are better equipped to serve those in need.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CV18pYopd/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Reinholds VFW Supports First Responders With $57,000 In Support

Shopping News Photo by Donald Reese

The Reinholds VFW Post 6759 continues to have a positive impact on local communities by supporting first responders in the area. Shown receiving donations totaling $57,000 dollars are, from left to right, (front row) Miles Newmoyer (Cocalico Area Fire Department), Tim Feltenberger (Middle Creek Search and Rescue), Mitch Merkel (Middle Creek Search and Rescue), Derek Miller (Adamstown Fire Department), Larry Rutt (Reinholds VFW), Jeff Wenrich (Reinholds VFW), Jonathan Beaver (Reinholds VFW), Terry Wise (PACSAR), Kristy Smith (PACSAR); (row two) John Martinez (Cocalico Area Fire Department), Ryan Krimes (Reamstown Ambulance), Joe Groff (Reinholds Fire Company), Britta Stuart (Reinholds VFW), Katina Beaver (Reinholds VFW), Cheryl Speece (Berks County Search and Rescue), Scott Hertzog (Berks County Search and Rescue), Brian Winterstein (Berks County Search and Rescue), Sarah Munro Maddonna (Berks County Search and Rescue); (row three) Joe Zimmerman (Cocalico Area Fire Department), Justin Birchard (Stevens Fire Company), Shannon Hilton (Denver Fire Department), Chase Trollinger (Cocalico Area Fire Depertment), Michael Horst (Bowmansville Fire Department), Greg Shaffer (Fivepointville Fire Company), Merv Martin (Bowmansville Fire Department), Dave Fisher (Fivepointville Ambulance), Nancy McQuate (Reinholds VFW); (row four) Austin Wieder (Adamstown Fire Company), Tim Crouse (Adamstown Fire Company), Kyle Crills (Reinholds Ambulance), Michelle Brown (Reinholds Ambulance), Trevor Jones (Bowmansville Fire Company); and (row five) Kevin Hoffmaster (Cocalico Fire Department), Donny Stover (Cocalico Area Fire Department), Patrick McQuate (Reinholds VFW), Dave Zimmerman (Bowmansville Fire Company), Luke Nolt (Bowmansville Fire Company) and Jarred Huyard (Bowmansville Fire Company).

08/25/2026

This weekend, our team practiced emergency evacuation skills with our canine partners. 🐾

While we hope we never have to use these skills in the field, it’s important that our canines are prepared for every possibility—including situations where they may need to be safely carried out of an area.

Practicing these scenarios helps our canines become comfortable being handled and carried in an emergency, while giving our handlers the confidence and skills to safely evacuate their partners when needed.

You never know what challenges a search may bring, so we train for them before they happen.

08/10/2026

Help our drone team!!

🚨 Thermal imaging drones aren’t a luxury for PACSAR — they help us search in the dark, under tree cover, and in conditions where ground teams and canines can’t move fast enough. The FCC is now proposing import bans on these drones, labeling them “military-grade,” which would cut off access to replacement parts and future equipment for search and rescue teams like ours nationwide.

You don’t have to be a drone expert to help — just share why this matters to you.

Takes 5 minutes:

1. Go to fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express
2. Enter Proceeding Number 26-189
3. Add your name, email, and a short comment
4. Check the public filing box, pass the robot check, and submit

Help us protect the tools that help bring people home. 🧡🐾

https://droneadvocacyalliance.com/fcc-take-action-2/

Federal Communication Commission Electronic Comment Filing System

08/04/2026

Also at Girardville National Night Out in Schuylkill County.