Our Team Members:
Jason Schweickert comes to the Unit as the handler of Harley, a 11 year-old female Golden Retriever and Nikita, a 5-year-old female German Shepherd. He has completed courses in First Aid/CPR/AED, Blood Borne Pathogens, K9 Pet Tech First Aid and CPR. Jason holds certificates from FEMA for IS-00100.b, IS-00200.b, IS-00700.a, IS-00800.b and IS-00005.a (Hazmat awareness). He has also completed a class with SKYWARN as a Storm Spotter, and is OSF Life Flight Certified for Landing zone Safety. Jason has previously been a volunteer firefighter for 5 years as a former Captain with the McNabb fire department. |
Olivia Jesse comes to the Unit as the handler of Helo, a 8-year-old male German Shepherd. She serves as the Lieutenant and has completed courses in First Aid/CPR/AED, Blood Borne Pathogens, K9 Pet Tech First Aid and CPR, Emergency Medical Technician, CNA, Phlebotomy as well as training in Naloxone (Narcan). She is currently attending the Paramedic course at IVCC in Oglesby, IL. Olivia holds certificates from FEMA for IS-00100.b, IS-00200.b, IS-00700.a, IS-00800.b and IS-00005.a (Hazmat awareness). She has also completed a class with SKYWARN as a Storm Spotter, OSF Life Flight Certified for Landing Zone Safety, and Tracking with K-9 Helo. Olivia is a volunteer firefighter for Cedar Point Fire Department. She was also employed as a part time EMT-B for LaSalle Fire Department, and Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service. She is currently employed by 10/33 Ambulance service as a EMT. |
Joann Schweickert comes to the Unit as the handler of Spirit, a 8-year-old female German Shepherd. She has completed courses in First Aid/CPR/AED, Blood Borne Pathogens, K9 Pet Tech First Aid and CPR as well as training in Naloxone (Narcan). Joann holds certificates from FEMA for IS-00100.b, IS-00200.b, IS-00700.a, IS-00800.b and IS-00005.a (Hazmat awareness). She has also completed a class with SKYWARN as a Storm Spotter, and is OSF Life Flight Certified for Landing Zone Safety. |
Jack Stetter comes to the Unit as the handler of Tonka, a 3 year old German Shepherd. Jack has completed courses in First Aid/CPR/AED, Blood Borne Pathogens, K9 Pet Tech First Aid and CPR as well as training in Naloxone (Narcan). Jack holds certificates from FEMA for IS-00100.b, IS-00200.b, IS-00700.a, IS-00800.b and IS-00005.a (Hazmat awareness). He has also completed a class with SKYWARN as a Storm Spotter |
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Kaitlyn Anthony comes to the Unit as a handler assistant. Kaitlyn has begun her certificate courses from FEMA for IS-00100.b, IS-00200.b, IS-00700.a, IS-00800.b and IS-00005.a (Hazmat awareness). She will also certify in CPR/AED/First Aid.
Kaitlyn enjoys photographing the K9s and team, as well as working with them and helping others. |
Jaime joins us as a handler with his female GSD, Zelda. Jaime is no stranger to German Shepherds and quickly recognized the talent in Zelda. Along with his desire to help others, he was eager to join the team and start learning . Jaime and his dad have been gracious in letting us utilize some property for training where Jaime loves to be a target!
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Kevin serves as our Captain and brings a desire to help the public via ground searching. Although he is a dog owner himself and will jump in as a support handler when needed, he enjoys the adventure of being a “ground pounder” as he calls it! Kevin has military reconnaissance experience, a keen eye and a teamwork personality.
He has volunteered on his own in past local searches and is eager to be a part of a team. |
Declan’s family acquired a German Shepherd with previous search and rescue skills. Declan has decided to join the cadet program along with his K9. He wants to learn to be a handler while reacquainting his K9 to SAR.
He has just completed a Skywarn Storm Spotter class and is readying for a CPR course. |
Clara has been working with Central K9 Search and Rescue since 2018. She has done several tasks including being a target, working fund raisers, participating in parades and PR events and of course tending to the needs of our K9’s.
Clara has a great love for animals, especially horses and dogs. She has participated in several zoo camps and wants to major in animal care courses in college. She is looking forward to learning more about search and rescue and K9 handling. |