The INTF1 K9 handlers have 26 scheduled team trainings a year, but most do additional training on their own. The team has handlers from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky.

It can take 2-3 years to train a dog to the basic level. Dogs have to pass a day-long test (in all kinds of weather) that includes four basic elements and a two-victim rubble search.

The four elements include obedience (off-lead heeling, emergency stop, 5-minute long down, figure 8, dog and people aggression), directability, agility, and a 30-sec. bark alert. Dogs must complete these to do the rubble search.

For more information on FEMA K9 training and testing, visit to DisasterDog.org.

Meet the INTF1 teams!