"10-97 - Arrived on Scene"
Mantrailers * Human Remains Detection * Narcotics Detection
Serving Law Enforcement and Providing Training to K9 Handlers
The Texas
Alliance of Search K-9's (TASK) was formed in 1998 by a few law enforcement
officers and a firefighter from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. They realized
the need for a centralized callout number and a standard of proficiency for
the deployment of properly trained search dogs (Bloodhound mantrailers and Human Remains Detection K9s). Receiving a call for help
from a former search team, TASK members were dispatched to the Big Bend National
Park to assist in a search for a missing teen. Upon returning, team members
vowed to offer training, education and standardized testing to ensure that
a database of qualified K-9 teams, encompassing the entire state of Texas,
could be compiled. Establishing this database would ensure K-9 and handler
could be deployed and arrive on scene promptly. Requesting agencies could
be confident that the TASK K-9 team would be professionally trained, prepared
and effective. TASK set it's main focus on education and training of both
K-9 and handler, but also has established a training tool for school age children.
"Trail Smart" teaches children what to do if they become lost. TASK
also offers training to law enforcement and fire officials in the proper methods
of scent recovery and preservation for use in a search or investigation.
By January 2004, TASK seminars were setting the standard for quality training
in the state of Texas. Students are travelling from every corner of the United
States to receive training at the TASK seminars offered in Jacksboro, TX.
and TASK has also been "called" internationally for assistance.
Due to increasing interest and feeling the need to expand to meet the demand,
TASK board members voted to change the name to The Alliance of Search K9's
removing the state designation and opening the way to expand membership nationwide.
TASK standards are now established and recognized as reliable and accepted
as an excellent test of a dog and handlers mission ready capabilities. Any
dog or handler team can apply for testing at any TASK seminar and receives
a certificate of proficiency from tenured evaluators which lends credibility
to the abilities of handler and hound. There is no other testing available
for bloodhounds that is created by in a realistic scenario befitting a working
bloodhound. Any breed is eligible for testing or membership in TASK if it
meets the mission ready testing standard for callout. Standards have been
set for trailing, air scent, human remains detection and narcotics detection.
TASK will continue to expand and grow, fulfilling the needs and demands of the advancement in the use of canines in law enforcement investigations and scent detection. All monies received at each seminar is applied back into the next training seminar, giving the gift of experience, hard work, dedication and skill to the next handler to save the next life.