Meet the Team | Northwest Indiana K9 Search and Recovery

NWI K9 SAR Education Requirements

NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800, HAZMAT Awareness, Blood Borne Pathogens, Basic Land Navigation/Compass Use, Intro to Search Strategy and Tactics, Intro to Missing Person Behavior, Intro to Terrain Analysis, Incicent Command, Building Construction/Hazards, Fire Scene Safety, Evidence Protection and Collection, Crime Scene Protocol, Human First Aid/CPR, K9 First Aid/CPR. All members train to ASTM STANDARD 2890-17.

K9 CROOK

Handler: Michelle Dvorscak

NWI K9 SAR - President

Certification: AWDA Wilderness HRD Land Type III, AWDA Wilderness Water Type V Shore Only, Wide Area Search Certificate TEEX, Ham Radio Technician II

Memberships: AWDA, CSAR, IPWDA, Illiana SAR, ARANCI, CUE

Retired Detective Sergeant Lake County Sheriff Department, Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Chemical and Biological Weapons ILEA, Weapons of Mass Destruction/Terrorism Awareness TEEX, Indiana State Certified Generalist/Firearm Instructor ILETB, Crime Scene Evaluator Certification PATC, Active Shooter Response, Forensic Child Interview State of OH, Certified Hostage Negotiator PATC and FBI, Cerfied Reid Interrogator/Interviewer, Internal Affairs Investigation Certification PATC, Certified Professional Animal Cruelty Investigator, Hoosier Animal Law Officers Member, Forensic Pathology Investigator, Animal Housing Facilities - National Fire Protection Association Committee Member, Northwestern School of Management Law Enforcement Management Certification

K9 PIPPA

Handler: Karen Scobbie

NWI K9 SAR - Vice President

Certification: AWDA Wilderness HRD Land Type IV, AWDA Wilderness Water Type V Shore Only, NASAR SARTECH II, NASAR SARTECH III, NASAR Wilderness First Aid, NASAR GPS, Ham Radio Technician II

Memberships: AWDA, NASAR. CSAR, ARANCI, CUE

K9 ECHO - PUBLIC RELATIONS

Handler: Denise Duriga

NWI K9 SAR - Treasurer and Team Liaison Officer

Search Support, Team Photographer

Veteran USAF, MA Leadership and Managment, MA International Relations, Graduate Certificate in Homeland Defense

K9 FRANKIE

Handler: Julie Wencloff

NWI K9 SAR - Secretary

Certifications: AWDA Wilderness HRD Land Type III and Wilderness HRD Water Type V Shore Only

NASAR SARTECH II, NASAR SARTECH III, NASAR Wilderness First Aid, Ham Radio Tecnician II

Memberships: AWDA, NASAR, ARANCI, CUE

K9 VALLI

Handler: Julie Wencloff

NWI K9 SAR - Secretary

Certifications: AWDA Wilderness HRD Land Type III and Wilderness HRD Water Type V Shore Only

NASAR SARTECH II, NASAR SARTECH III, NASAR Wilderness First Aid, Ham Radio Tecnician II

Memberships: AWDA, NASAR, ARANCI, CUE

Handler: Julie Wencloff

NWI K9 SAR - Secretary

Certifications: Pre-Certification

NASAR SARTECH II, NASAR SARTECH III, NASAR Wilderness First Aid, Ham Radio Technician II

Memberships: AWDA, NASAR, ARANCI, CUE

K9 ANNIE

K9 DAX

Handler: Nick Dvorscak

NWI K9 SAR - Board Member

Certifications: AWDA Wilderness HRD Land Type IV and Wilderness HRD Water Type V Shore Only

NASAR Canine Search Specialist, NASAR SARTECH III, NASAR SAR Physical Fitness, Ham Radio General III

Memberships: AWDA, NASAR, NSDA, ARANCI, CUE

Veteran USMC, Fire Officer III, IFSAC Instructor III, NIMS-CDP Authorized Trainer, Former Instructor Ivy Tech Fire Science Technology Program, SIU B.S. Fire Science Management, NILEA Bike Patrol Officer I, U.S. Department of Homeland Security WMD Crime Scene Management for Emergency Responders, State of Indiana Board of Fire Fighting Personnel Standards and Education Certified Master Firefighter and in Fire/Arson Investigation