Ethos Search Operations Team

06/05/2026

Day Four of Springfield-Clark CTC Career Camp was everything I love about teaching these kids. We kept building on scent theory, and today they learned about scent saturation - stepping into a room absolutely drenched in cupcake body spray and having to “be the dog” to pinpoint the true source. Watching them recall and apply everything they have learned so far blew me away.

Then we shifted into teamwork and how important that is not only in search and rescue, but in life. We started with a game called Impossible Puzzle. Four teams, ten minutes, and not a single group could win on their own. The lesson landed when they realized that if they stacked all their hula hoops together and combined every item, they all would have won instantly - a perfect reminder that sometimes the only way forward is together.

We carried that theme into our next challenge: each team raced to finish a puzzle, only to discover they had pieces from other teams’ puzzles. The only way to finish was to communicate, trade, and help each other succeed. It was such a powerful moment - competition dissolving into collaboration, frustration turning into problem-solving, and every kid realizing that teamwork isn’t just a concept, it’s a choice.

We wrapped the day with a relay race, more laughter, more cheering, and more proof that these kids are something special. I read them my book, we explored, we played dogs, and it was just an incredible day from start to finish.

06/04/2026

We wrapped up day three of Springfield-Clark CTC Career Camp and looking through all of the pictures from the last few days overwhelms my heart with joy. These kids are great!

Today was one of those days where the learning was big, the teamwork was solid, and the dogs were clearly living their best lives.

We dug into scent theory and connected it to what we have been learning the last couple of days. The kids watched dogs work real scent problems, then got to see odor movement in action using smoke across three different setups. Watching them piece together the science with the dog behavior was incredibly cool - and the photos say everything about how much fun the dogs had.

The ground team focused on Lost Person Behavior and wrapped it up with a fast, competitive relay. They were given a scenario, sprinted to grab the matching LPB characteristic, and raced back to score. First team to 10 points took the win, but everyone walked away with a deeper understanding.

Our older campers also toured Clark State University this afternoon, getting a look at their programs that are tied to future career paths.

Another strong day in the books and this crew is learning fast, thinking hard, and having a blast doing it. We have more to layer on tomorrow! 

06/03/2026

It has been a busy week so we are a little behind in posting day two of Springfield-Clark CTC Career Camp. Yesterday, both groups dug deeper and built real momentum. On the K9 side, we took our communication foundation and moved into imprinting - teaching our dogs exactly which odor matters and how to stay committed to it. The dogs worked hard, the jr handlers had big lightbulb moments, and the teamwork really showed.

Ground Search spent the day sharpening clue awareness - the skill that turns a simple walk-through into a true search. Students practiced looking up, looking down, turning around, slowing their pace, and paying attention to the smallest details that could shift an entire search picture. To put those skills to the test, four groups deployed into the field to locate 128 hidden puzzle pieces. Between 4 groups - in two search areas - they returned with 116 recovered. Using a strong demonstration of focus, determination, methodical searching, and learned solid mapping and radio communications within each team.

Day Two brought progress, confidence, and the kind of learning that sticks. Up next: Day Three!

06/02/2026

Day One of Springfield-Clark CTC Career Camp is in the books!

Our 4th–5th graders this morning and 7th–8th graders this afternoon jumped straight into the world of Search & Rescue.

On the K9 side, they learned why clear communication matters - and put it to the test with clicker games and a little bonus trick‑training.

On the ground search side, they learned that searching isn’t wandering. It is planning and strategy. They practiced real search patterns while hunting for “clues” scattered across the field… in the form of goldfish crackers.

They stepped out of their comfort zones and teamed up with kids they had never met, learned to move with purpose, and got their first taste of what SAR really demands.

Strong start. Big energy. Tomorrow we stack another building block and the real work begins.

05/25/2026

We are ready 💪❤️

On National Missing Children's Day, we reflect on what it takes to respond to missing and abducted child cases.

Training reinforced a critical truth: these cases demand urgency, coordination, and compassion. For families, it’s not a case—it’s the worst day of their lives.

When the call comes, time compresses and the stakes are immediate. These incidents escalate quickly, requiring a structured, coordinated response. That’s where our Child Abduction Response Team (CART) makes the difference.

CART provides structure: a coordinated framework for scene management, investigative efforts, volunteer coordination, and media communication. Through a regional partnership that includes multiple agencies within Delaware, Franklin, and Marion Counties, agencies work together with one mission: to protect the child. This collaboration earned national certification in 2022 and re-certification in 2025.

The question is not if the call will come—but whether we are ready. We believe we are.

05/17/2026

Yesterday was Missing Persons Day with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost/BCI - at Bowling Green State University. It was day that carries both weight and purpose for all of us.

Working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Delaware County, OHIO, Sheriff's Office Child Abduction Response Team - We spent the day standing beside families, listening to their stories, honoring their loved ones, and feeling the depth of what they carry every single day. It was a reminder of why we do what we do. We are truly honored to be part of this team and grateful to continue this mission together.

Even Iris. Our high‑drive, all‑gas‑no‑brakes work beast - shifted gears yesterday. She found a little boy whose life has been shaped by a missing loved one, and she stayed with him. No commands, no prompts. She just… knew. In that moment, she turned into exactly what he needed. Even let him stack candles on her head 🕯️

We didn’t walk away with many pictures because we were focused on being present in the moment. Except of the dog. We all got pictures of the dog!

I borrowed a few 📸 from the AG!

05/16/2026

This event is one we have been honored to take part in for the past two years. It is a day where our team, together with the Delaware County, OHIO, Sheriff's Office Child Abduction Response Team, joins the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost Office, and other organizations - to raise awareness, strengthen advocacy, and stand in remembrance of the families and individuals whose lives have been forever
changed by these tragic situations.

Join us ❤️

05/05/2026

We will be there! Come and hang out!!

Join us at Quarry Trails Metro Park this June 5th, 5pm-8pm for a day of free paddling, beer, food, and our amazing community vendors…. And of course DOGS!!! All paddling equipment and life jackets for dogs and their owners provided.

04/27/2026

What a night. What a community.

Thank you - truly - from the bottom of our hearts. Your presence, your generosity, and your belief in this mission created a turnout that exceeded anything we could have hoped for.

Every dollar, every conversation, every shared moment moves this work forward in ways that can't be measured on paper. We are honored to do this alongside you. Thank you for standing with us and for helping carry the weight of this mission!

A big thank you to The Taphouse at Retreat 21 for hosting us. Angela Boeshart for your beautiful music. Meat Daddy's for feeding us amazing food and your heartfelt donation. Mail Pro 1 for all of our printing needs - and graciously accommodating my last minute changes!

Thank you to our sponsors for donating amazing prizes, and auction items! I have to tag everyone in the comments - it won’t let me tag that many on this post. Which says a lot - and it is truly humbling and overwhelming in the best way!