Specialty K9 Search and Recovery

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

Today is National .
On May 25, 1979, 6-year-old Etan Patz vanished on his way to the school bus. His disappearance sparked a national movement.

Today, we remember every child who is still missing, stand with the families still searching for answers, and continue to hold onto hope. Learn more about the history of this day: ncmec.org/footer/about/history

05/20/2026

This week is National Search and Rescue Awareness Week — a time to recognize the dedicated volunteers and professionals who respond when others are lost, missing, or in need of help.

Search and Rescue teams train countless hours, work in difficult conditions, and stand ready at any hour to serve their communities. Every role within these organizations is important in bringing people home safely.

Thank you to all Search and Rescue personnel across the country for your commitment, sacrifice, and service. Stay safe, and thank you for all you do. 🧡

05/18/2026

The beautiful weather this past weekend made it possible for our dogs to perform water/shoreline search training. Shoreline training is integral to what we do. We often get called upon to search water from the shoreline and there are often bodies of water in our search areas that need to be checked.

05/04/2026

Some of our members traveled to West Virginia last weekend to perfect their water search skills at the 5th Annual Get Lost Seminar.

04/19/2026

Congratulations to Donna and K9 Abe of New Jersey Rescue and Recovery K9 Unit. 👏 They are an outstanding team and we look foward to working with in the field.

Congratulations to Donna Hreniuk and HRD K9 Abe on passing the Search and Rescue Council of New Jersey State Level Human Remains Detection certifying test yesterday! Many thanks to Diana Bzik of Specialty K9 Search and Recovery for taking the time to set up the test and evaluating this team!

02/04/2026

We are saddened to learn about John Orecchio passing today. John had helped our team train numerous times with Ringwood Underwater Search and Recovery team for water recovery and always filled our day with warmth, fun and laughter. He will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to John's family, teammates, colleagues, and friends.

01/24/2026

Members of Specialty K9 SAR attended Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training today to learn and refresh essential skills for administering first aid across a variety of scenarios where a subject may require medical attention. Special thanks to Jo Vee of National Rescue & Response Institute for coming out and instructing the class, and to West Milford Search and Rescue for co-hosting the event, and to West Milford First Aid Squad for providing the venue. It was a great day of training and learning!

01/01/2026

As we say goodbye to 2025, we extend our heartfelt thanks for being with us throughout the year. Whether you joined us at trainings, helped set up and evaluate our re-certifications, supported us during searches, contributed through donations and kind words, or shared our posts, your involvement has truly made a difference. We could not continue the vital volunteer work of helping bring the missing home without your generosity and encouragement.

Thank you, and we wish you a safe, prosperous, and Happy New Year in 2026!

12/28/2025

Join us in congratulating Keith O'Brien and K9 Niko of New Jersey Rescue and Recovery K9 Unit for passing their Search and Rescue Council of New Jersey live find recertification covering 80 acres. This team did a fantastic job covering their area in mountainous rugged terrain in 4 inches of fresh snow. Special thanks to Diana Bzik who was the evaluator, Jennifer Tebbetts Hoffman for being the subject and braving the cold, and Ray Sooley for running comms ensuring we stayed safe. Everyone did an amazing job despite the cold and rugged terrain but we were greatful for clear conditions. Its takes a village to keep K9s working at their best and we do it so that others may live. Thank you everyone for a great day!