Private K9 rescue group training to assist law enforcement

BRADENTON (FOX 13) - For nearly 22 years, Sarasota K9 Search and Rescue has been assisting law enforcement in the Tampa Bay area. 

“We basically provide law enforcement with search and rescue personnel for lost persons, K9 aspects, and ground searching,” explained Tamia Treadway, team leader for Sarasota K9 Search and Rescue.

Today the group spent hours training to be prepared for when they are called in for critical response situations. 

Treadway says she is proud of her team, a team of people that just wanted to find a way to give back to the community.

“Everybody comes from different walks of life,” she said. “You could have a teacher, professional, realtor, and it varies on the dogs. We have labs, we have Rottweilers.”

While the group is diverse in backgrounds, Treadway explains that everyone on the team is a professional. 

“We have a very strict program for people when they want to come onto our organization,” she explained. “Everybody’s here all day long, it’s not just you come and play for a little while and go home. We’re treating it as a serious day."