The Team
A multi-disciplinary operational K9 search dog capability. The team are qualified to facilitate deployment into a wide variety of search scenarios.
The team is a group of volunteers who provide professional services to all communities in the UK and overseas. Ready to assist any Search Group and Emergency services 24/7.
Handlers
Specialist Search Dog handlers come from a diverse range of backgrounds and are trained and assessed as a team with their dog. Handlers train together throughout the year in all weathers and conditions to ensure they are ready to deal with any search scenario.
Members
In order to enrich the Specialist Search Dogs team alongside dog handlers are a host of other members that bring vital skills and experience with them. The Support Team members form a vital part of any search operation and consists of serving personnel from HM Coastguard and Ex Military veterans.
Colin Monk - Founder Member
Dog Handler / Search Technician
Colin is a certified NASDU Level 3 Victim (Water Submerged Cadaver) Detection Dog Handler. His qualified dog is Zues. Dogs in training are Koda and Atlas
A proactive, committed and compassionate ex-company director who had a successful career in engineering prior to taking early retirement. Since retirement, he has used his skills and experience for the good of the community, in a number of voluntary roles including HM Coastguard and Defra. Significant 24/7 callout experience working with multi-disciplinary emergency services during live search and rescue operations and body recovery incidents with his dog Zues. Currently working with emergency services in the UK and overseas.
- Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP)
- Mud Rescue Technician
- Water Search and Rescue Technician (WSAR)
- DEFRA C - Water Search and Rescue Technician.
- Coast Guard Emergency Responder Casualty Care (CERCC)
- Lost and Missing Person Search Technician (LAMPS)
- IFIND Police certified
- Lowland Search Technician
- Emergency Response and SAR framework - (Helicopter Operations, Navigation, Meteorology, General Maritime, Tides, Anchors and Holdfasts, Communications VHF, Remote Radio Sites, Water Safety & Hydrology Response Driving, Knots, Rope Rescue Awareness)
Adrian Rogulski - Founder Member
Dog Handler / Search Technician
Adrian is a certified NASDU Level 3 Victim (Land Cadaver) Detection Dog Handler. His qualified dog is Shadow.
Adrian is currently training for NASDU Level 3 Victim (Water Submerged Cadaver) Detection Dog Handler certification. Qualified as drone Pilot with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) license level 2. He has experience working with his dog Shadow in many rescue operations and provides a variety of skills needed on the field. Currently working with emergency services in the UK and overseas.
- Water Search and Rescue Technician
- Lost and Missing Person Search (LAMPS) Search Awareness
- CAA Level 2 - Drone Operator
- Lowland Search Technician
- K9 Operational Support (Water Awareness, Navigation)
Matthew Skillen - Founder Member
Dog Handler / Search Technician
Matthew is a certified NASDU Level 3 Victim (Land Cadaver) Detection Dog Handler and a K9 first aider. His qualified dog is Woody.
Matthew has worked with dogs for over 20 years, starting his career in the agricultural sector and studying this discipline at university. For last 15 years Matthew has worked in technical services. He continues to compete with working gun dogs and has won multiple awards. He also regularly participates in working dog demonstrations at shows across the UK to highlight his dog Woody’s working abilities.
- Water Search and Rescue Technician
- Lost and Missing Person Search (LAMPS) Awareness
- K9 Operational support (Water awareness, Navigation)
- K9 First Aid - OCN NI level 3 Pet First Aid and Cardiopulmonary and Cerebral Resuscitation
- Dog grooming Level 3 - Open College Network West Midlands
Alistair Spinks
Dog Handler / Search Technician
Alistair is a certified NASDU Level 3 Live Person (Air Scent) Detection Dog Handler. His qualified dog is Juco.
Alistair served in the MOD as a dog trainer and handler and now runs his own business. He is a mountain leader, alpine mountaineer, skier and enjoys climbing and hillwalking. Significant 24/7 callout experience working with multi-disciplinary emergency services during live search and rescue operations working his dog Juco.
- Lowland Search Technician
- Team Leader
- Army Ski Foundation Level 2- 3
- Army Alpine Mountaineering Proficiency Qualified assessor
- Teaching and assessing qualification Level 3
- Arms & Explosive Dog handler
- Vehicle Search dog handler
Tina Walker
Dog Handler / Search Technician
Tina is a certified:
- NASDU Level 3 Victim (Land Cadaver) Detection Dog Handler
Her qualified dog is Detta. Dogs in training are Koku and Samhain.
Tina is currently awaiting assessment to become a NASDU instructor in both of the aforementioned disciplines. Prior to becoming a dog handler, Tina ran her own dog walking business for 15 years and competed in obedience with her Large Munsterlanders. She has competed at Crufts 3 times as part of the northern inter-regional team. She is also a qualified Scentwork UK trainer, judge and trial manager.
- First aid at work - Level 3
- Mental health awareness training.
- Health and Social Care (adults with learning disabilities) Level 2 Diploma.
- Teaching and Assessment Qualification Level 3
Bryan Glass
Dog Handler / Search Technician
Bryan Glass become a Security Dog handler in 2010 with his German Shepherd Dexter. In 2015 he started training Clumber Spaniel Fern as a cadaver dog, in both land and water specialisations. Out of all the discipline he is qualified in, he found cadaver most rewarding. Bryan is a certified:
- Water Search and Rescue Technician
- NASDU Level 3 Victim (Water Submerged Cadaver) Detection Dog Handler
- NASDU Level 3 Victim (Land Cadaver) Detection Dog Handler
- NASDU Level 2 General Purpose Security Dog Handler
- NASDU Level 4 Explosive Detection Dog Handler
- NASDU Level 3 Bedbug Foundation Certified Bed Bug Dog handler
His qualified dog is Fern.
- Lost and Missing Person Search (LAMPS) Awareness
- K9 Operational support (Water Awareness, Navigation)
Stewart Bryden
Operations Officer/ Training Manager
Profession
Senior Coastal Operations Officer (SCCO) Her Majesty’s Coast Guard (HMCG) for 30 years. Manage and provide training for 4 coast guard teams in and around Dumfries and Galloway. Provide specialist training and validation in Water, Rope, Lost and Missing Persons (L&MPS) and Coast Guard Emergency Responder Casualty Care (CERCC).
Interests
Family time and football
Specialist skills
- Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP)
- Mud Rescue Technician
- Water Search and Rescue Technician (WSAR)
- DEFRA C - Water Search and Rescue Technician.
- Coast Guard Emergency Responder Casualty Care (CERCC) - Instructor
- Lost and Missing Person Search Technician (LAMPS) - Instructor
- IFIND Police certified
- Teaching and assessing qualification Level 3
- Emergency Response and SAR framework - (Helicopter Operations, Navigation, Meteorology, General Maritime, Tides, Anchors and Holdfasts, Communications VHF, Remote Radio Sites, Water Safety & Hydrology Response Driving, Knots, Rope Rescue Awareness)
Steven Stewart
Search Technician
Profession
Health and Safety advisor
Interests
I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, keep fit, cycling, weight training, yoga, running and walking. Completing second round of the Wainwrights.
Voluntary Roles
Member of Majesty’s Coast Guard (HMCG) for 5 years.
Specialist skills
- Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP)
- Mud Rescue Technician
- Water Search and Rescue Technician (WSAR)
- Coast Guard Emergency Responder Casualty Care (CERCC)
- Lost and Missing Person Search Technician (LAMPS)
- IFIND Police certified
- Emergency Response and SAR framework - (Helicopter Operations, Navigation, Meteorology, General Maritime, Tides, Anchors and Holdfasts, Communications VHF, Remote Radio Sites, Water Safety & Hydrology Response Driving, Knots, Rope Rescue Awareness)
James Parker
Search Technician
Profession
Engineer
Interests
I enjoy mountain climbing and hill walking. I have raised money for a number of charities by participating in sponsored events. Recently I did the 3 peaks challenge in 24 hours.
Voluntary Roles
Member of Majesty’s Coast Guard (HMCG) for 4 years.
Specialist skills
- Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP)
- Mud Rescue Technician
- Water Search and Rescue Technician (WSAR)
- Coast Guard Emergency Responder Casualty Care (CERCC)
- Lost and Missing Person Search Technician (LAMPS)
- IFIND Police certified
- Emergency Response and SAR framework - (Helicopter Operations, Navigation, Meteorology, General Maritime, Tides, Anchors and Holdfasts, Communications VHF, Remote Radio Sites, Water Safety & Hydrology Response Driving, Knots, Rope Rescue Awareness)
Chris Rennick
Search Technician
Profession
Owner CR Fencing
Interests
I enjoy the outdoors especially water sports and hill walking. I also provide support for communities in many charitable events like 999 days or emergency services days.
Voluntary Roles
Officer in Charge (OIC) at Her Majesty’s Coast Guard (HMCG) Annan for 11 years.
Specialist skills
- Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP)
- Mud Rescue Technician
- Water Search and Rescue Technician (WSAR)
- DEFRA C - Water Search and Rescue Technician.
- Coast Guard Emergency Responder Casualty Care (CERCC)
- Lost and Missing Person Search Technician (LAMPS)
- IFIND Police certified
- Emergency Response and SAR framework - (Helicopter Operations, Navigation, Meteorology, General Maritime, Tides, Anchors and Holdfasts, Communications VHF, Remote Radio Sites, Water Safety & Hydrology Response Driving, Knots, Rope Rescue Awareness)
Donna Laurie
Search Technician / Fundraising Officer
Profession
Leisure Industry Manager
Interests
I am a keen dog trainer and breeder of gun dogs. I enjoy the great outdoors especially hill walking. I enjoy working with people and promoting safety awareness and casualty care at emergency services 999 days.
Voluntary Roles
Member of Her Majesty’s Coast Guard (HMCG) for 3 years.
Specialist skills
- Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP)
- Mud Rescue Technician
- Water Search and Rescue Technician (WSAR)
- Coast Guard Emergency Responder Casualty Care (CERCC)
- Lost and Missing Person Search Technician (LAMPS)
- IFIND Police certified
- Emergency Response and SAR framework - (Helicopter Operations, Navigation, Meteorology, General Maritime, Tides, Anchors and Holdfasts, Communications VHF, Remote Radio Sites, Water Safety & Hydrology Response Driving, Knots, Rope Rescue Awareness)
Darren Johnston - Strategic Advisor
Profession
Regulator in the nuclear industry.
Interests
I enjoy dog training, the outdoors, hiking, chess, walking and volunteering.
Voluntary Roles
- Past Trustee Director Copeland Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).
- Past Founder of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Cumbria network.
- Past Founder of the Association of Project Management (APM) Cumbria network.
- Past dogs’ body for SASRA.
- Past Founder of the Axis Professional Events Website in Cumbria.
- Senior Coordinator Sellafield CEng Graduate Scheme
Specialist skills
My role with Specialist Search Dogs is in an advisory capacity. Effectively a ‘Critical Friend’ to the charity who is able to provide an independent view and guidance on matters relating to strategy, technology, projects and IT.
- Chartered Project Manager
- Chartered Engineer
- Significant past experience in voluntary roles
Anna Czeszel
Search Technician / Fundraising Officer
Anna is our new trainee K9 support. She is an ex-PE teacher. She received the bronze medal of honour for her successes in sport and education and as well for representing the national team in rowing. Anna loves water sports, especially kayaking and rowing, hillwalking and simply being outdoors.
Voluntary Roles
Anna is working her way to become a Search technician in order to support our members and give back a little help the community.
Specialist skills
- Water Search and Rescue Operational
- Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching (PE)
- Lost and Missing Person Search (LAMPS) Awareness
- K9 Operational support (Water Awareness, Navigation)
Jayne Nicholson - Dog handler/ Search technician
Jayne is a certified NASDU Level 3 Victim (Water Submerged Cadaver) Detection Dog Handler.
Her qualified dog is Salvo, a Spanish Water Dog.
She is currently completing NASDU Level 3 Victim (Land Cadaver) Detection Dog Handler certification.
Mike Salmon - Search Technician
Profession
Motor Racing Official
Interests
I enjoy golf, cycling, classic cars, walking & the outdoors.
Specialist skills
- Canine operational support – Wrexham Glyndwr University
- LAMPS Search awareness
- Training for NASDU UK-K9 Operational Support qualification
- First Aid at work
- RYA VHF Radio & Day Skipper
Jane De Boise - Dog handler/ Search technician
Jane is a certified NASDU Level 3 Victim (Water Submerged Cadaver) Detection Dog Handler. Her qualified dog is an English Springer Spaniel -Nessie.
Jane worked as an operational Firefighter for 9 years, specialising in drowning prevention and victim recovery. Given her extensive research on the subject, she wanted to devote her efforts towards easing the pain and suffering of families of the deceased, by reuniting them with their loved ones, and she now runs her own business covering Surrey and Sussex - DrownedVictimSearchTeam.com -
- Immediate Emergency Care Instructor- Surrey Fire & Rescue Service
- Bronze NNAS Trained (Navigation)
- DEFRA Mod 2 Water Rescue
- Level3 PETbc Diploma in Canine Psychology with Distinction, & Dog Law Certificate
- Teaching and assessing qualification Level 3
Lauren Smith
Dog Handler / Search Technician
Lauren is currently a trainee Canine Water Rescue handler and a trainee NASDU Level 3 land cadaver detection Dog handler.
Lauren currently runs her own dog walking and training business, which has been successfully running for over 5 years.
Prior to this, Lauren was a Level 2 Gym Instructor, working in a full-time gym.
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Instructing Exercise & Fitness (QCF)
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace
- Canine First Aid and CPR