MARK9 Search and Rescue

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MARK9 Search and Rescue

MARK9 is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Search and Rescue team based in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. To learn more about our searches navigate to our search page.

MARK9 Search and Rescue (SAR) provides free services to Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue, Parks and Wildlife and other official agencies of any size that require the use of highly skilled K9s and handlers to locate missing people. The team motto is "Always ready, Ever able" so the team is available 24/7/365. The team trains for 4 types of searches: Live Find, Human Remains Detection (HRD), Trailing an

d Water. We do this by seeking out training locations all over the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and the surrounding counties and placing our handlers and their K-9s in as close to real situations as training will allow. MARK9 believes that the most important part of a search is to prevent it from occurring. Based on this belief MARK9 provides demonstrations in Alzheimer Safety and Sit & Stays as a way to help prevent people from becoming lost. How We Operate:

MARK9 goes into action after receiving a call for SAR assistance. Due to important legal parameters attendant with the search process, we cannot accept this type of call from the general public, however the following may contact MARK9 for SAR services:

Fire Departments

Law Enforcement

Government Agencies

Recognized search agency with clearance from the law enforcement agency or fire department in charge of the search. Upon receipt of a request for assistance, the unit can be organized and ready to begin response within 20 minutes. Arrival time of the first dog and handler team on the scene will depend on the location of the incident. We will, of course, respond whenever you call. However, the best results are achieved when we are notified early, because the victim hasn't traveled as far. In addition, an early call means weather, civilians, and time have not degraded the search scene. Because we are a volunteer organization, we do not normally respond to calls that request us to search for a suspected criminal or fugitive. The team can operate under your control or we can manage the search for you. That is your agency's decision. We have our own self contained and staffed command post and are ready to respond at any time 24/7/365.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter!!

02/07/2026

The visible area is only about an acre, which is an extremely small search area. Even with a really nice drone capable of hi-definition live video, we probably fly right over this subject without seeing him.

But the dog finds him easily using her nose. Technology is great, but it's not always the answer. K9s require zero technology. The don't have batteries, and they don't require software updates. They work in the dark or in daylight without a special camera lens. They work if the subject is wearing bright orange or if they're half-buried in a camouflaged hunting blind.

K9s stay relevent in SAR because they have a capability unmatched by all the fancy devices we can buy. They search faster and more efficiently than people. One well-trained K9 is better than 20 people in a coordinated grid search.

The dogs think they're playing a game of hide-and-seek. What they're really doing is helping to save people in need.

Support your local SAR team. We're volunteers training to be ready for when you need us.

01/06/2026

Welcome to the team, K9 Kai!

Kai and her handler, Liz, passed their evaluation and are looking forward to starting their training.

Kai is a 9 month old black Labrador Retriever from Hay Creek Kennels in Wisconsin. Like all the labs, she's a bit ball crazy and doesn't take "no" for an answer, regardless of how tired your arm is.

12/25/2025

Congratulations Team Quill!

12/24/2025

Congrats Team Fern!

11/21/2025

Help Needed!

MARK-9 is helping to host K-9 SAR evaluations and training December 4th-7th in Granbury, TX, and we need volunteers to hide for the dogs.

If you are looking for an easy and fun way to help your community this is a great opportunity to help, and meet some great dogs along the way.

All we need is for you to sit in the woods or around town and allow the search and rescue dogs to come find you.
While you are hiding you can sleep, read a book, watch a movie or sit in anticipation of the dog finding you.

All ages are welcome from kids to seniors.

If you have a few hours to volunteer your time on Dec. 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th we could use your help!

If you are able to volunteer a few hours on any of these days, please let us know by messaging us or emailing is at [email protected]

07/10/2025

Several MARK9 team members are on the ground in Kerr County, TX assisting in the search efforts with our SAR partners from across the state.

05/23/2025

MARK9 had presentations scheduled at two shools in two different cities on wednesday. Two Sit and Stays and a presentation on Human Remains Detection using k9's to 150 students in forensics classes.

We had a search thrown in last minute so our team fielded the search befire sunrise and still made both presentations.

Great work by great and very committed team mates.

04/23/2025

Happy Earth Day from our K9s. Enjoy Bluebonnet season.

03/21/2025

Welcome to the team, K9 Sage!

Sage and her handler, Courtney, passed their evaluation and are looking forward to starting their K9 training. Sage is a 6 month-old German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) who will do anything for a Nutter Butter.

And don't let that super serious stare fool you. Sage is just trying to act tough and hide the fact that she has ticklish toes.

02/03/2025

Congratulations to Mike Holmberg and Aspen, Laurie Davis and Ryker and Christian Hornbeck and Lucie on passing AWDA HRD Land certification with Evaluator Laura Imbody-Reed. Well done.

Address

Dallas, TX

Website

http://www.mark9.org/

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