Mid-Minnesota K9

06/11/2026

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06/08/2026

Our SAR team had an incredible weekend with old and new teammates, friends, mutual aid partners and folks we consider our SAR family! 9 handlers and 16 dogs trained through some hot and humid temperatures working water, wilderness and disaster scenarios. Most importantly— we learned from one another, supported and encouraged each other, and came up with ideas to continue to challenge ourselves and our teams. Everyone walked away with a smile, dogs included! These are the kind of trainings we all need more of! Thanks to everyone that came, you all made it an amazing weekend and we are looking forward to the next time!

Minnesota-Wisconsin K9 Search and Rescue
La Crosse Dive Unit
St Louis County Rescue Squad
Mid-Atlantic DOGS Search & Rescue

06/08/2026

We're so grateful for the love & support from D Mike's Resort Bar & Grill!! Stop by and check out their featured drink menu to make a donation to our all-volunteer nonprofit in the month of June! 🥰🐾😍

05/28/2026

Great efforts by everyone involved! We are so glad he was found alive and safe!

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Missing Person Elijah McCumber Located Safe

On May 28, 2026, at 10:29 a.m., the Winona County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a homeowner on Rose Creek Drive who reported seeing a subject matching Elijah “Eli” McCumber’s description.

Deputies responded to the location. K-9 assistance was requested from the Winona Police Department, Houston County Sheriff’s Office, and MN-WI K-9 Search and Rescue. A helicopter was also requested from the Minnesota State Patrol. Houston County deputies and the La Crescent Police Department also responded to assist.

Once on scene, Eli was located inside the residence. Eli was hungry and tired, but safe, after spending more than five days in the woods. Eli was evaluated on scene by Nodine and Dakota First Responders and Tri-State Ambulance, and was then transported to the hospital for treatment.

We would like to thank the following agencies and organizations for assisting in the search: Winona County SOAR Team, Winona County Dive Rescue, Minnesota-Wisconsin K9 Search and Rescue, Mid-Minnesota K9, Houston County Sheriff's Posse, Nodine Fire & Rescue, Dakota Fire & Rescue Department, Pickwick Fire and Rescue, La Crescent Fire & Rescue Department, Winona Fire Department, St. Charles Police Department Police Reserves, La Crescent Police Reserve Unit, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota State Patrol, Houston County Sheriff's Office, La Crescent Police Department, City of La Crosse Police Department, Winona County Dispatch, and Winona County Emergency Management.

Many other agencies had also offered assistance or were planning to help with future search efforts.

A special thank you is extended to area residents for searching, providing food, water, and other resources for searchers.

We are grateful for all of the community support and especially grateful that Eli was located safe.

05/16/2026

We are very proud to congratulate two of our new USAR teams on passing the FSA today! Strong work to Natalie and K9 Oliver (HRD) as well as Carla and K9 Newt (live find)!

Minnesota Task Force 2

05/14/2026

K9s Max & Baruch visited the MN Dept of Health, Chemical Threat Preparedness / Public Health Laboratory yesterday!! 🐾🐾🐾

05/04/2026

A huge congratulations to Natalie and K9 Cali as well as Carla and K9 Newt on achieving their wilderness area search certifications!

Both teams tested to an exceptionally high standard through ARDA—2-4 subjects and covering areas up to 160 acres during 4–8 hour evaluations for the daytime, as well as a night test of up to 80 acres completed in 80 minutes to 4 hours. They also only utilized a map and compass on their large acre day tests showing their amazing land navigation capabilities without using a GPS!

A special thank you goes out to Camp Ripley for the use of your training facility and to our four amazing volunteer hiders—your time and effort made these certifications possible.

We were also excited to have five bears and a worm-eating chipmunk make a special guest appearance!

A final thank you to Lisa Kakavas for serving as our lead evaluator for ARDA—we appreciate your guidance and support throughout the process and are very grateful for you!

04/23/2026

Happy National Volunteer Week!

This week, we celebrate the heroes at both ends of the leash- from our Search and Rescue teams to our Critical Incident Response Canine teams.

To our dedicated handlers: thank you for the countless hours you invest in training, commitment, and service. And to our incredible four-legged partners: your loyalty, resilience, and heart make everything we do possible.

We are deeply grateful for each and every one of you!

04/22/2026

When you shop this spring fundraiser before May 15th, 50% of your purchase price is donated to Mid-MN K9!!

Great garden supplies for a great cause!

https://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/marketplace/seller/profile/shop/midmnk9

04/05/2026

We hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful Easter Day!

If Easter has you thinking lilies in the garden this year, I counted about 6 different kinds on this fundraiser! Order by May 15th!

https://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/marketplace/seller/profile/shop/midmnk9