Comet is certified in Basic Area and Advanced Area S.A.R and has the Canine Good Citizen and Obedient Dog Achievement Awards.  She also does water work, cadaver, disaster recovery and urban search and rescue.  Comet knows it is Tuesday night and that is time to do her weekly training with the group.  This training includes obedience (which is the basis for all future training for search and rescue), hiding people in boxes, cars, wooded areas, corn fields, water work, cadaver and just about anything we can think that may occur in real life.  We try to train for any situation that may happen.

    The Unit is paged out with a low tone followed by a high tone and Comet knows when it is time to work.  She starts whining, crying, going in circles and if you’re in her way, she’ll run you over.  I’m proud to say that Comet has been able to work almost every search call for the Unit.  In addition to the calls, we do public appearances and she has also been able to attend most of these.

    Comet has a very high drive and is always on the go.  The other K-9 Team Members, family and friends tell me Comet is like this because I don’t sit still long either.  Because of her drive, she has the nickname of “Wild Thing”.  Comet adapts well to different situations and has showed other dogs that it is all right to approach something or someone.  She is very lovable, friendly, gets along well with other animals, great with people of all ages and most of all a great companion.  She loves to play ball, go for walks, great listener when you need someone to listen and not talk back and craves all the attention she can get.

    Comet lives with her sister Juno, who is also a member of the Unit; Haley, who is a retired member of the Unit; and Chasher, who is training to hopefully someday become a member of the Unit.

    I’m a Lieutenant and EMT with the Sangamon County Rescue Squad; one of the original members of the K-9 Unit, which started in 1996, and was a handler for Marco.  I worked several calls and did several public appearances with Marco.   I’m also a member of the Central Illinois Service Dogs of America.  My husband Frank is also with these organizations, so it provides us another thing we have in common and can do together.

This volunteer organization is very rewarding and fulfilling for me.  Although it may not always be a happy ending, it does provide closure for the family, friends and community.