Foothills Search and Rescue

January 19, 2011

Halfway through January--Whew!

Daniel's work has slowed down quite a bit this week. He was given yesterday and today off. Thankfully Daniel is diligent in his studies and has just about caught up with his reading. He took his geriatric/pediatric test last night and only missed 1 question. I'm so proud of him! Next week is packed with studying for his national registry exam, and then in 2 weeks he takes his big test. I've been working on this semester's classes while still keeping a consistent work schedule, for which I am thankful for. Today I am catching up on homework and studying for 2 tests that I need to take tonight or tomorrow night. With our extra busy schedules we've gotten into a routine for this month and are taking it day by day.

Today is our 2 1/2 year anniversary. It's hard to believe that we've been married that long. Time flies by so fast! No big plans for tonight because Daniel has A&P class till 10pm.

Furstin and Kaiser are our two German Shepherd Dogs. Furstin (Fury) is Daniel's dog 100% and Kaiser is mine. Though we added Kaiser, male, to our family first, Fury, female, is 1 1/2 months older than Kaiser. She will be 2 in July and we hope that she and Daniel will be a certified SAR team by then. Fury is being trained in air-scent (or area-search). Air-scent dogs work with their nose in the air. They pick up human scent anywhere in the area being searched and they don't need a starting point, an article to work from or a scent trail, and time is not an issue. Fury is doing very well in training and is currently working on recalls. Kaiser is being trained in tracking (trailing). Tracking dogs work with their nose to the ground. They follow a trail of human scent through any type of terrain. These dogs are following a specific scent trail. Tracking dogs need a starting point and an article with the person's scent on it to work from. Kaiser is doing wonderfully in his training. He has just graduated from run-aways to scent trails and is using a scent article. I still do run-aways with him because it keeps the training fun. Kaiser turns 2 in August and we hope to be a certified team by then. All of the SAR training is quite new to us but we are learning so much from Foothills.

For more information about Foothills SAR or if you are interested in volunteering with us please check out their website! Foothills Search and Rescue

We will serve the Lord,

Daniel and Kelsey Rowan