Our K-9 Heroes

K-9 Nikita

K-9 Nikita is a 6-year-old female, German Shepherd dog. She was adopted from IVAR when she was about 9 months old. Nikita acclimated quickly to her new home as well as to the team and was a natural playing the "hide and seek" game. She has completed her obedience classes while working on her K9 SAR training.
Nikita moves quick and swift using her nose to both the ground and the air.
She is very agile and can jump several feet high clearing rocks and fallen trees.
Nikita has a great personality and loves to meet new people and fellow K9's and of course prefers to be wherever her handler Jason is!

K-9 Tonka

Tonka is is a 4 year old male German Shepherd of the Czech Working line and comes to the team with his handler Jack Stetter.
Tonka is currently is working on his obedience classes as well as his K9 SAR training.
Tonka is very driven and has lots of energy. He loves to play fetch and carry any stick he can find! Tonka is also an avid swimmer and fast on his feet.He and his handler are very active at local dog parks and can be seen going for bike rides in town or the local tow path. Jack often works on socialization by taking Tonka to local stores for walks when the weather is bad.
Although he loves to be active he enjoys the company of his Handler no matter where or what he is doing.

K9 Drago

K9 Drago holds a special search and rescue skill set as he is a Human Remains Detection K9. This training typically takes 200 - 400 hours to master. K9 Drago can detect the smallest scent with precision. Drago is fast on his feet, but focused when he is in scent. Additionally, K9 Drago has excellent obedience skills. He and his handler have a special bond and Drago loves to please him. When K9 Drago is not working or training he spends his time lounging in his pool, playing fetch, and watching TV like a hooman with dad.

K9 Britta - In Training

Britta Jane is a Female German Shepherd born 3-3-23. Britta is one of 7 GSD’s in a litter of 5 females and 2 males. She is full of energy, is showing skill in agility, she is fearless, and has been a fast learner as well as a fast runner. She has already completed her first two obedience classes and is set up for the next level. She enjoys playing with her new big sister Nikita and going for walks. Britta is fascinated with new places and has her nose to the ground constantly. Britta is a K9 Cadet specializing in tracking where she is learning what human odor is and indicates when she finds it by laying down. Although the focus right now for a K9 her age is obedience, she is being introduced to simple Search and Rescue drills like identifying human scent and playing “hide and seek”. Britta is happy to meet other dogs and new people, but her favorite person is her handler Joann Schweickert.

K9 Zena - In Trianing

Zena is a Female German Shepherd also born 3-3-23. Zena and Britta are liter mates being 2 out of 7 pups. Zena is full of energy and is fast on her feet. She loves being outdoors, going for walks, playing with her big sister Zelda and is an excellent companion in the car. She has already completed her first and second obedience class and is preparing for the third. Zena is a K9 Cadet specializing in tracking where she is learning what human odor is and indicates when she finds it by laying down. Although the focus right now for a K9 her age is obedience, she is being introduced to simple Search and Rescue drills like identifying human scent and playing “hide and seek”. Zena is a well rounded pup that likes to meet new people and dogs. She loves to play frizbee in her backyard with her most favorite person and handler, Jaime Piano.

K9 Hannah - In Training

Hannah is 1 year and a half old female German Shepard. She was donated to us from the Bureau County Animal Control. She is full of energy and has some obedience. She is a good candidate for search and rescue.

Retired

K-9 Helo - Retired

K-9 Helo is a 10 year-old German Shepherd dog who retired in October of 2023. He was donated in 2014 when he was 4 months old, from the Peoria County Shelter, in Peoria, IL. Helo was one of the first K9's on the team and was assigned to Olivia Jesse who remained his handler and owner throughout his entire training and career. Helo caught on quickly to search and rescue as well as completing all of his obedience courses. Helo had a natural knack for tracking and was very successful. Helo was deployed on every call that the team responded to and had several finds.
Helo always represented the team well as he loved people and was always a crowd pleaser at public events.
He will remain with his handler and owner Olivia and enjoy retirement by playing ball, going for car rides and visiting his search and rescue family.
Thank you K9 Helo for your service!

Rainbow Bridge

K-9 Shelby EOW 06/15/24

K-9 Shelby is a 6-year-old female, German Shepherd Dog. She was re-homed to the team when she was almost 1 year old. She showed a great knack for ground searching and quickly fit right in with the pack.
Shelby has graduated from advanced obedience training and is now concentrating on her K9 SAR training.
Shelby is very active and loves to play the "hide and seek" game with any willing playmate!
Shelby took a short hiatus from the team but came back to us with a new handler who is a Cadet on the team. Together they are sharpening their skills and learning all they can about Search and Rescue.
When not training, Shelby keeps busy playing with the four children in her home!
K9 Shelby died unexpectedly in June of 2024. She was a value to our team in many ways and is missed very much.

K-9 Harley - EOW 03/24/24

K-9 Harley is 12-year-old Golden Retriever and the first K-9 on the team. She was purchased when she was 6 weeks old from a kennel in Washington IL . After six years of hard work, she retired from search and rescue in August of 2021.
Harley had a nose to the ground approach to search and rescue and was very methodical about her track. She worked very well with her handler and owner Jason Schweickert, but was versatile enough to be paired with another handler if need be. Harley performed well in all kinds of weather but her favorite season was snowy! During any snow fall you can find Harley enjoying the flakes on the deck.
K9 Harley died unexpectedly in March. She was a sweet soul and is truly missed.

K-9 Spirit EOW - 1/5/23

K-9 Spirit was a 9 year-old female German Shepherd dog. She was donated to us in 2014 when she was 4 months old, by a couple from Princeton, IL and was one of the first K9's on the team.
Spirit was assigned to handler Joann Schweickert who took over ownership.
Spirit went on to complete all of her obedience classes and quickly learned search and rescue. She loved to play hide and seek and used her nose for air scenting. Spirit made quick work of her searches and looked forward to her reward of a tennis ball.
Spirit loved to be outside and playing tug with any willing partner.
When not deployed or training, Spirit could be found wherever her handler was. Spirit was very loyal and the two had a great partnership.
K9 Spirit died unexpectedly in January of 2023.
Central K9 Search and Rescue appreciated K9 Spirits service and is saddened by her passing.
"Rest Easy my Spirit Girl. Thank you for being more than my partner" ~ Spirit's handler - Joann Schweickert