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

Neil Gibson

Dog Handler / Search Technician

A qualified Search Technician and First Aider, he supports our operational deployments and training across both land and water environments. Alongside his trainee rescue dog, Raven, he is working towards becoming a fully qualified HRD (cadaver) dog handler, building strong foundations through structured training, scenario work, and ongoing competency development.

Outside of search work, he’s a qualified fitness instructor, bringing a practical focus on stamina, resilience, and safe movement in challenging terrain—skills that translate directly into real-world search capability.

Most at home in the mountains, he loves being out with his four dogs in all conditions, with a special preference for winter weather. Reliable, motivated, and committed to continuous improvement, he’s a valued member of the team as he progresses on his handler pathway with Raven

Neil Gibson

Dog Handler / Search Technician

A qualified Search Technician and First Aider, he supports our operational deployments and training across both land and water environments. Alongside his trainee rescue dog, Raven, he is working towards becoming a fully qualified HRD (cadaver) dog handler, building strong foundations through structured training, scenario work, and ongoing competency development.

Outside of search work, he’s a qualified fitness instructor, bringing a practical focus on stamina, resilience, and safe movement in challenging terrain—skills that translate directly into real-world search capability.

Most at home in the mountains, he loves being out with his four dogs in all conditions, with a special preference for winter weather. Reliable, motivated, and committed to continuous improvement, he’s a valued member of the team as he progresses on his handler pathway with Raven

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)

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)

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

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

Shaun Ede

Dog Handler / Search Technician 

Shaun is a certified NASDU Level 3 Victim (Water Submerged Cadaver) Detection Dog Handler.

His qualified dog is Monty, a working cocker spaniel. Shaun is a Quality Management System Consultant and he pursues his passion of working with his fabulous dog in every spare moment and aims to give something back to his and the wider community through his activities as part of the charity.

Sally Smith

Dog Handler/Trailing Trainer

Sally has been training dogs since 2005.  Previously competing in Working Trials, Obedience and Agility, and working with Assistance and Detection dogs, she now specialises in tracking and trailing, human remains detection, and therapy dogs.

Her training is founded in the science of animal behaviour and learning, creating an environment that enables the dog to learn with clarity and through choice.  She has studied extensively over the years with a wide variety of dog training organisations, attended many conferences and courses, participated in canine cognition research projects at Lincoln University, judged at Crufts, and appeared on several TV programmes about animal learning.  

• GAK9 Trailing Instructor.
• OCN L3 Canine Training & Behaviour.
• CAP 3 Learning About Dogs.
• TDS Accredited Scentwork Handler.
• UKCSD Tracking Instructor.
• Skills for Justice Trailing Dog Handler.
• K9 Operational & Emergency Medical Support Training.
• Emergency Rescue Casualty Care.
• Human ID Tracking (ILMA).
• Water Search and Detection (ILMA).
• L4 NASDU/Highfields Victim Detection Search Dog Handler (July 2017).
• RYA Powerboat Handling L2

Bobby Tailor

Search Technician

Bobby Tailor is a Search Technician supporting our charity in his spare time. Variety of his skills aloud him to be deployed in every search scenario: Skills : 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)

Allen Ince

Search Technician

Profession: Engineer

Interests: I enjoy hillwalking & generally being outdoors . I have participated in lots of challenge events for a number of charities .

Voluntary Roles:

• Member of Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team for 12 years .
• Member of Môn SAR Lowland Rescue Team for 9 years .

Specialist Skills:

• DEFRA Water Awareness Module 1.
• National Powerboat Certificate ~ Level 2 .
• Mental Health First Aid Training.
• The Control of External Haemorrhage ( Celox Academy ).
• Emergency Rescue Casualty Care ( SSD Academy ).
• North Wales Police Fatal Incident Protocol ( NWP ).
• Mountain Rescue England and Wales Search Planning and Management .
• National Navigational Award Scheme BRONZE .
• National Navigational Award Scheme SILVER .
• K9 Operational Support ( NASDU ~ UK K9 ).
• Air Accident Hazard Awareness and Evidence Gathering for Search and Rescue Responders

Helicopter Operations:

• S92A and AW189

Alex Hughes

Dog Handler / Search Technician

I've run a dog training business for the last 2 years, my masters degree was in Medical Engineering, I've been trailing Sigrid for 4 years now and my hobbies are triathlon, adventure racing, hiking and fitness.

• Fully Qualified Firefighter - DWFRS (4 Years)
• Level 2 Swift Water Rescue Technician.
• First Aid at work, FPOS & Trauma Casualty Care First Aid Qualifications.
• Cat.1 Co-Responder for South West Ambulance Service. (1 Year).
• Level 3 NCFE Visual Tracking Qualification.
• GAK9 Rural Level 2 Dog Trailing Qualification.

Ursula Furter

Dog Handler / Search Technician

Ursi is a Malinois breeder under the affix ‘Avonwolf’. Breeding working line Belgian Malinois is her passion for the last 10 years with supplying dogs to service homes such as police, fire service, security, search homes and all sorts of sport homes.

Working dogs in Security, Victim Recovery and competing on the highest level of IGP (a sport based on police work) she’s been handling dogs for over 20 years.

Currently working 2 qualified NASDU GP level 2 dogs and one qualified NASDU Victim Recovery water dog.

Additional courses such as Close Protection, Private Investigation and Water search and rescue technician have been added to her CV.

Helena Heaven

Dog Handler / Search Technician

Helena is currently a trainee land and water cadaver dog handler with her dog Dani.  She enjoys being outdoors, training her dogs and mountain walking with them.

• Lowland search technician
• NNAS silver navigation award
• BSc Zoology, specialising in entomology

Kathryn Bell

Fundraiser

Kathryn love learning new things and always done voluntary work, and helping others, so combining her love of animals and learning, SSD was a natural progression for her.

Away from work, my hobbies are gardening, walking, music, sewing and entertaining family and friends. Proud owner of fundraising dog OJO.

Simon Chapman

Dog Handler / Search Technician

Simon Chapman is a dedicated Search Dog Handler & Search Technician, with a lifetime of experience in dog training and search disciplines. With over 25 years of military experience as a military dog handler and trainer, I have developed expertise in a wide range of scent detection and tracking disciplines, including:

• Mantrailing
• Tracking
• Air-scenting
• Human Remains Detection (HRD)
• Drugs & Pyrotechnics Detection
• Bed Bug Detection
• Electronic Storage Device Detection
• Conservation Dog Work

I am the owner of a specialist dog training business focusing on nosework disciplines and working with reactive dogs. My passion for search work stems from a family background in dog training—my father was also a professional trainer, and I grew up immersed in the world of working dogs.

I currently own and work six dogs, each trained in multiple specialist disciplines. This includes my HRD dog-in-training, Lottie, as well as two retired tracking dogs—one retired due to injury and the other due to old age. Bruno, my German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP), had an incredible career with 17 live finds to his name.

Additional Qualifications & Experience:

• CAA-Qualified Drone Pilot
• First Aid Trained
• Royal Marines Mountain Leader Trained
• Climbing Instructor (Military Trained)
• Commercially Endorsed RYA Powerboat Advanced Operator
• VHF Communications Certified
• Volunteer with Coastguard and Multiple Search & Rescue Teams (including Cave Rescue)
• Former Training Officer for a Search & Rescue Team

Scott Graham

Dog Handler / Search Technician

Scott is a dedicated Search Dog Handler & Search Technician, assisted by his Border Collie’s, Ash & Lola. Scott’s dogs are qualified in mantrailing and Lola is qualified as an airscent dog, and Scott himself is also a mantrailing instructor with K9 Manhunt & Scentwork.

Qualifications 

• K9 first aid and CPR
• NEBOSH General Certificate in occupational health and safety 

Tony Briggs

Dog Handler / Search Technician

Tony is a dedicated Search Dog Handler & Search Technician. Tony is assisted by his dog, Jada, who is qualified with NASDU.

Tony’s qualifications include trailing dog handler with Highfield and skills for justice, hosting 10 years SAR and search dog experience.

Jacquie Wortley

Dog Handler / Search Technician

Jacquie, mum of three humans and three working cocker spaniels. Jacquie is a dog handler with specialist search dogs. Jacquie is also a water search technician with SSD.

All dogs she has bred herself, using the best stud dogs, to bring out the best in the breed, which hopefully shows with their drive and work ethic. 

Emma Burgh

Search Technician

Emma works with the SSD Dog Handlers to help ensure the searches are efficient

Profession
Recruitment business owner - retired from day to day management

Interests
Hiking, Nordic Walking,  being followed by my 3 Working Cocker spaniels, travelling and spending time with family and friends

Voluntary roles

• National Trust walk ranger
• Walk leader for HF holidays
• Walk leader for local upland hiking group
• Parish councillor
• SSD

Specialist skills and qualifications

• Mountain Training accredited Hill and Moorland Leader
• NNAS Gold Navigator award
• NNAS Tutor
• RYA Powerboat 2
• 2 day outdoor first aid
• UKSLI Search Technician skills training
• SSD Water Search and Rescue technician course

Rod Stoddart

Dog Handler/Search Technician

Rod is currently a search technician and dog handler of his 3 therapy dogs, Clova, Mia & Buddy.

Clova is qualified in air scenting, with Mia accompanying in scent specific trailing.

Rod is formerly mountain rescue and has vast experience in this field.

Helen Johnson

Dog Handler & Trainer

Helen's background involving working dogs initially started in 2010. She has 14 years’ experience deploying as operational dog handler in both the private and public sectors. Currently Helen is training a VR search dog for SSD.

She is an UK based instructor for Jeff Schettler’s GAK9 - International Tracking School. Specialising in scent specific tracking and trailing.

SAR Qualifications:

• NASDU / Highfields Victim Detection Dog Handler & Team Certification (Level 4, LAND) (2015)
• Powerboat Level 2 - Powerboat Handling
• UKLSI Search Technician
• Water Search and Rescue Technician
• K9 Operational Emergency Support - K9 Trauma & First Aid Course Sent from my iPhone

Allan Gibson

Drone/Sonar Operator Team Leader

Allan is a commercially qualified RPAS (Drone) and ROV submersible operator.

He is a retired police officer with 30 years’ service with an extensive background in specialist policing and Licensed search deployments.  He has worked at all levels of command and is well versed in multi-agency responses. Finishing his service at Edinburgh Airport, he had response responsibilities for Border Policing, Serious and Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism functions, all types of Aviation emergencies and airport drone detection systems, the latter providing him with a retirement route into commercial drone operations. 

On retirement he created his own company called Dronezone, developing and learning, drawing on past experiences and building new skillsets in aerial and submersible robotics.

Becoming a member of Specialist Search Dogs in early 2025 he delivers technical support to K9 dogs and handlers by providing aerial and submersible responses as well as the role of search technician. 

His specialist training background covers management and tactical advising roles including ● PIO - Police Incident officer - Initial scene management ● JESIP - Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme

Licensed Search Officer

• Defensive search
• Offensive Search
• Crime scene search
• Missing Person search
• Counter Terrorism search 

Public Order Responder

Public Order Specialist Responder - Level 1,2 and 3 ● Method of Entry Trained ● Heights/Tower trained ● Protestor Removal Team trained ● Forward Intelligence

Team trained 

CBRN - Chemical/Biological/Radiological/Nuclear

CBRN Specialist Responder

• Tyvek
• Tychem
• CR1
• PRPS
• Profiling
• DIM - Detection, Identification and Monitoring

Routine Policing roles delivering training in ● Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training ● Public Protection-Protecting Adults at Risk of Harm Tier 1 training ● Locus Protection ● Mental Health - Acute Behavioural Disturbance training ● Counter Terrorism ACT training ● Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles

● Mental Health Legislative training

● Data Protection reform and GDPR training ● Risk and Vulnerability Assessor at point of first contact ● Mental Health Crisis and Suicide Prevention training ● Mental Health Mindset Training ● Mental Health Legislative training ● Missing Persons Investigations training ● Suicide Intervention Awareness ● Health and Safety Risk Assessors course ● Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) training ● First Aid at Work ● Explosive Search Team Training course ● Health and Safety- Manual Handling - Training for trainers ● 4x4 Driver trained 

Outwith Policing Allan has continued personal development  in the following

The Academy Of Modern Applied Psychology ● Life Coaching Certificate Course (Beginner to Advanced) ● NLP Practitioner 

UAV HUB

● UAV Drone Operator A1 and A3 Open Sub Category ● UAV Drone Operator GVC, Commercial Operator ● Blue Light Drone course for the Emergency Services ● Land Surveying with Drones

UKLSI Lowland Search Technician course

Water Search and Rescue Technician (WSAR)

Allan remains fully committed to serving the public and delivers a high level of professionalism, a depth of experiences in prevention, detection and recovery and understands the emotional stages of criminal and missing person enquiries.

He is proud to be part of the Specialist Search dogs team.

Toni Bell

Finance, Admin & Fundraising

Toni joined Specialist Search Dogs to support behind the scenes with all administrative and finance needs for the business.

Toni has a passion for volunteering and has experience doing so with her local ladies’ football team, regularly running fundraising events. Outside of volunteering her interests include horse riding, football and socialising.

Although she is happiest when surrounded by the 4-legged members of the charity!