Northwest Ohio Trailing K9 Rhea

06/12/2026

People ask, “What’s the cost of a working dog?”

They usually mean the price tag. The equipment. The training classes. The travel. The certifications.

But what about the part nobody talks about?

The sleepless nights replaying training scenarios in your head. The missed family events. The early mornings and late nights. The frustration. The self-doubt.

Does the cost include constantly wondering if you’re doing right by your dog?

Does it include the feeling that, despite giving everything you have, you’re still somehow failing them? That maybe you should be a better trainer, a better handler, a better partner?

Because if I’m being honest, that’s the part that costs the most.

The responsibility of knowing this dog would give me everything she has without hesitation—and questioning whether I’m giving her the same in return.

So here’s my question for the other working dog handlers out there:

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭? 𝐎𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐞?

I’d genuinely like to hear your thoughts. Drop them in the comments.

Maybe that’s the real price of a working dog—not measured in dollars, but in the weight of trying every single day to be worthy of the trust they place in us.

— K9 Rhea 🐾

06/11/2026

K9 Tactical Combat Casualty Care/K9 Tactical Emergency Casualty Care Training for canine handlers, emergency medical responders, and veterinary personnel

06/10/2026

Hi, I’m K9 Rhea. 💛

I didn’t have the easiest start in life. I went through a few different places before I landed in my furever home.

Someone cared enough to help arrange for me to find my way to my dad, my mom, and my two siblings. They saw that I deserved a chance at something more.

And that chance changed everything.

Instead of being defined by where I started, I became surrounded by love, structure, patience, and purpose. The scared, uncertain puppy I once was grew into a happy, healthy, ball-crazy girl who wakes up every day excited to work.

Today, I’m proud to be K9 Rhea—a search dog. 🐾🔍

I get to use the gifts I was born with to help others. Every training session, every successful find, every adventure is a reminder that a dog’s past does not determine their future.

Rescuing a dog isn’t always easy. Sometimes it takes time, commitment, and a whole lot of trust. But dogs have an incredible ability to heal, to love, and to rise to the expectations of the people who believe in them.

I am living proof of that.

So now I want to hear from you: Who else has rescued a Malinois? Share your stories and photos in the comments below! We’d love to celebrate all of the amazing dogs who got a second chance and the people who made that second chance possible. ❤️🐕

And if Rhea’s story means something to you, please share our page. You never know who might need a reminder that rescue dogs are capable of extraordinary things—or who might be inspired to give one the chance they deserve.

Love,

K9 Rhea 🐾🎾

06/09/2026

Remember the small moments

06/09/2026

That’s what we’re talking about! This is why scent specific is such an important tool in the toolbox!

Great job Kissimmee Police Department!

Kissimmee Police Dept. Bloodhound Team Locates Missing Person for Find #8! Ofc. Andrew Cason and K9 Belle responded to help locate a person missing from a mental health facility on 6/6/26. K9 Belle, a scent discriminate Bloodhound, trailed the missing person for almost a mile to get her 8th find for Kissimmee PD. During the trail, the Florida K9 Team’s backup unit used Ring camera footage to confirm the accuracy of K9 Belle’s trail.

K9 Belle was donated to Kissimmee Police Dept. by our Florida Bringing The Lost Home Program partner, Senior Resource Alliance in Orlando to increase available search resources in the area for missing persons and those with Alzheimer’s Disease and autism who are at high risk of wandering.

This is find #8 for the Florida Bloodhound team and #622 by our Florida Bringing The Lost Home Program partners! Great trail Ofc. Cason and K9 Belle and thanks to Kissimmee PD and Senior Resource Alliance - SRA Florida for their commitment to creating a safer community. To learn more about scent discriminate Bloodhounds like K9 Belle visit ScentEvidenceK9.com Kissimmee Police Department

06/08/2026

Monday forecast: 90° this week. ☀️🥵

As a professional trailing dog, I'd like to formally object. I would like to file an official complaint with Jay Berschback about this week's forecast."

I can follow a missing person's scent trail through woods, neighborhoods, and all kinds of terrain...

…but I draw the line at becoming a baked potato with ears.

Until further notice, all complaints may be submitted from my fire hydrant throne. 👑🚒

Stay hydrated, protect those paws, and don't forget to laugh a little this week.

– K9 Rhea 🐾
NW Ohio SAR Trailing Dog

06/05/2026

🐾 Happy Friday! It’s me, K9 Rhea. 🐾

While everyone else is counting down to the weekend, I’m busy making sure my human keeps up with training. As you can see, I take my job very seriously… especially when my favorite reward is involved. 👀

Some people call it play. I call it professional development.

Every training day helps me stay sharp, focused, and ready for whatever comes next. Plus, let’s be honest—I love every second of it.

Now if you’ll excuse me, my human is taking way too long to throw my toy.

Have a safe weekend, friends!

🐕 K9 Rhea

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

Ahoy, friends! 🐾⚓

Over the weekend, I got to explore a HUGE ship museum... except here's the cool part—it isn't just a museum, it's still a working ship! 🚢

While it was a lot of fun checking out all the decks, passageways, machinery, and interesting smells, the real reason for the trip was training. As a trailing K9, it's incredibly important for me to experience as many different environments as possible. Every new surface, sound, smell, and distraction helps me become a better search dog and prepares me for whatever conditions I might encounter on a future trail.

This ship was packed with unique challenges—from metal decks and narrow spaces to unfamiliar noises and lots of activity. Training in places like this helps build my confidence and keeps me focused on the job no matter where a trail leads.

I also got to meet lots of new people along the way. Everyone was friendly, and I enjoyed showing off my good manners while taking in all the sights.

One of the best parts of the day was spending time with another K9! 🐕 We explored together, worked through the environment, and enjoyed some quality training time with a fellow working dog. His handler is Tina Anderson !

Every new place is a chance to learn, grow, and sharpen my skills. Today's adventure was a great reminder that some of the most fun days are also some of the most important training days.

Four paws up for shipboard environmental training! 🐾⚓🚢