They are missed

Oakley was an enthusiastic and down-right sassy working-line German Shepherd Dog. She started with the team as a 4 month old puppy in July of 2014 and became mission ready in Wilderness Airscent the following May. Her training continued to include certification as a Human Remains Detection Dog.

Oakley most definitely loved the work, greeting every training and mission with a loud barking entrance and lots of energy. At nearly 11 years old, she not only re-certified under the Tri-State K9 standard but also passed the UT P.O.S.T. Cadaver Dog certification. She and her handler supported many missions through the years right up until her unexpected passing. They were recognized by the Elko County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the recovery of a pilot who crashed and perished in the very rugged Ruby Mountains of Nevada.

Even more than Oakley’s contributions to the team, she was her handler’s and family’s very best girl.
RIP sweet Oakley. You are dearly missed.

Flash was a fantastic working-line golden retriever. He was certified as a Cadaver Level 2 asset for GBK9SAR under the Tri-State-K9 standards. He hunted with dedication, speed, and intensity - no fluff, all business. Flash had been gifted to his GBK9SAR handler, Gina, in October 2020 after the passing of his first human handler, Cindy McArthur. With Cindy, Flash was certified in SARTech HRD Water type I, II, III, and IV, and SARTech HRD Land type III. Gina did a wonderful job with Flash to continue his training and add to the work that Cindy put into him. He could not have found a more loving family and working home. Flash was, without a doubt, a product of and a credit to both of Gina and Cindy. He will be so very missed by Gina, his human family, and his GBK9SAR teammates. RIP good boy. We can only hope that you are at peace and snuggling with Cindy. 

Rekker was a Dutch Shepherd bred and trained by his Handler and the offspring of two working Search K9s. Although his early years were spent training and competing in the K9 sports of French and Mondio Ringsport, Rekker’s greatest gift and greatest love was search work.

He certified with Tri-State K9 to locate human remains on land and in water. During his 10 years of service as a certified HR Detector dog, he set the bar for the youngsters on the team and his work contributed to bringing several victims home to their loved ones, bringing a murderer to justice, and even assisting in locating WWII MIA soldiers in Europe.

He did all of it with enthusiasm, joy, commitment, and lots of bling ~ never hesitating to demand his reward after a job well done by walking backwards in front of his handler and “angry barking” until his handler relinquished his toy.

Without a doubt, Rekker left a mark of excellence that will carry on through the ranks of GBK9SAR K9s for years to come.

Hondo came from field-trial Golden Retriever lines and began foundation training for SAR at 10 weeks old, becoming deployable when he was 2. He spent the first 9 years in New Mexico where he held wilderness Air Scent and Cadaver certifications. Hondo and his handler were also members of NMTF-1 FEMA K9 Team, where Hondo achieved deployable status by passing his CE exam and his handler passing multiple FEMA requirements. After moving to Utah, Hondo, even at 11 years old, was able to join Great Basin K-9 SAR and pass all the requirements with enthusiasm and expertise. Hondo’s friends called him “a spasm of joy”, radiating a love of searching as he works. He will be missed.

Hunters Trace Semper Fidelis Gunny came from a line of champion hunting Golden Retrievers. He began training as a nine-month-old puppy to be an avalanche search dog at Powder Mountain, Utah. He subsequently became certified in avalanche, wilderness live-find, wilderness cadaver, shoreline cadaver, open water cadaver, and human remains detection. His working career spanned eleven years and eighty searches, deploying on missions to Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon.

Gunny contributed in locating the remains of the missing on five searches. He loved everything about being a search dog. He loved the hunt, he loved making a find and getting his reward, and he especially loved riding on ATVs and snowmobiles or in snowcats or helicopters.

Gunny was a friendly, easygoing dog with a fluffy coat of golden fur and a perpetual smile. He was a favorite for team demos and often helped to comfort the families and friends of the missing who were waiting for news of their loved one.

Gunny lived up to his name, Semper Fidelis, which is Latin for Always Faithful and is the motto of the United States Marine Corps.

Drago was a fiercely loyal partner with a long and successful Search K9 career. A talented hunter to his core, he certified at 13 months old and officially retired at 13 years old. Drago spent most of his career working as a resource for the FBI Evidence Response Team in Los Angeles. Some of Drago's accomplishments:

• Los Angeles FBI Evidence Response Team resource with successful deployments throughout the Western US, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia.

• Numerous recoveries including clandestine graves and disaster recoveries

• Tri-State K9/Great Basin K9 SAR human remains detection certifications land and water

• CARDA CA/OES human remains detection certification

• USPCA and NNDDA human remains detection certifications

• Live find certification from CA P.O.S.T.

• USA Schutzhund BH

• UKC Nosework: PT1, PT2, ANC, NNV (at age 12)

His contributions include siring Kikki's litter which produced two patrol K9s, two security K9s, and three SAR K9s including our mission ready team member, Rekker. Drago was a strong and loving companion and working partner. He was truly one of a kind, is dearly missed, and lives on forever in our hearts.

Kikki was an amazing K9 ambassador with a sweet disposition, an eagerness to please, loyal to the core, and a strong work ethic. She had an incredible life and so generously gave back to humanity with spirit and devotion. Some of Kikki's accomplishments:

• Los Angeles FBI Evidence Response Team resource with successful deployments in California, Idaho, and Utah with recoveries.

• Tri-State K9/Great Basin K9 SAR human remains detection certifications land and water

• CARDA CA/OES human remains detection certification

• NAPWDA human remains detection certification

• USA Schutzhund A (high in trial obedience)

• NARA French Ring 1 (2nd leg 1st place with 190.6/200 points)

• USA Mondio Ring 1 (1st leg obtained at USMRA Nationals)

• AKC Canine Good Citizen Certified

Kikki also made significant contributions as a wonderful mother of two patrol K9s, two security K9s, and 3 SAR K9s including our mission ready team member, Rekker. She lives on in our hearts and through the example she set for our team SAR dogs that follow in her footsteps. Rest easy sweet girl.

Kaiser was one of the founding members of Great Basin K9. He was a versatile search dog with certifications in avalanche, wilderness area, land cadaver, shoreline, open water, human remains recovery, evidence, and building search.

He was a strong, powerful dog but also a kind and gentle friend. His passing came much too soon. We hope he is running pain free and strong.

Our sweet Magic, an 8 month old Labrador Retriever, was well on her way to becoming a stellar SAR K9. She had all the drive and enthusiasm anyone could ask for. She embodied everything we look for in a SAR dog. Sadly, we lost her all too soon. She will live on in our hearts.