Jael and Ari
Jael working a water recovery
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Jael's Fund
K-9 Jael, 11/2008 - 11/2017: Certified Land HRD, Water Recovery, NIMS Type II Disaster. In 2008, a sable German Shepherd was born in Ledyard, CT. Her breeder donated her with the desire she be trained for Search and Rescue; Sharolyn Sievert was the recipient of this amazing gift. Jael was trained for Human Remains Detection (HRD) and certified under a number of different organizations and evaluators over her lifetime. She deployed on many searches, and helped bring home the missing multiple times. In November of 2016, Jael was on a search when she fell and was badly injured. She was knocked unconscious and suffered severe contusions down her spine. The extent of the injury wasn't known until months later, when she began experiencing intermittent medical issues, from kidney trauma to lameness. Many visits to the University of Minnesota brought little result. K-9 Jael continued to train and respond when she could, as she lived for her job. However, a year after the fall, and just a short time after another successful search, the battle was lost. After it was over, it was determined that Jael had suffered a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, in the fall. While little is known about TBI in canines, Jael's symptoms mimicked many of the human ones. In honor of Jael's service, ARI-SAR received a financial gift to assist other working dog handlers care for the well-being of their own dogs. Out of the tragedy, Jael's Fund was born. Jael's Fund is designed to offer grants to Law Enforcement, Fire, and Search and Rescue K-9 Handlers wishing to participate in an ARI-SAR "PetSaver" class. To be eligible, the handler needs to be an active member of Law Enforcement, Fire, or Search and Rescue (SAR), with a working K-9 partner for their agency. If you or someone you know is eligible for this grant, please complete the appropriate form below. Eligible courses are found on our Course Calendar with the notation "Jael's Fund Eligible". Additionally, Jael's Fund requests groups or organizations that host a PetTech class at their facility to consider sponsoring a local Law Enforcement, Fire, or SAR K-9 handler to take the class with them.
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