We consider ourselves lucky enough to have several dogs on our team. A few seasoned veterans and a few puppies who have recently joined the ranks.

Tuka

2014 - Current

Handler: Jason O’Neill

Validations:    GTK9 Advanced Rescue Dog

TCISAR Avalanche

C-RAD Current

Tuka participated in a CARDA puppy course and worked full time at Grand Targhee for two years. She is currently a K9 resource for Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue. She is a Labrador retriever who has trained in courses with CARDA (Canadian Avalance Rescue Dog Association), AAI (American Avalance Institute), and CRAD (Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment). Tuka is trained in Live Area Search.

She was responsible for the recovery of an avalanche victim in 2018 in Fremont County, Idaho.  

Mikko

Handler: Casey O’Connor

Mikko is a yellow lab who has trained in courses with CARDA (Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association), AAI (American Avalanche Institute), and CRAD (Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment). Mikko is training for area search that will be a great skill in the summer months as well. Mikko’s dad, Casey, has been teaching AAI (American Avalanche Institute) dog courses since 2016.

Bruin

Handler: Ben Hanner

Meet Bruin, one of our Avalanche Rescue dogs.  He is a Black Labrador Retriever validated by Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment (C-RAD).  Bruin has a good nose, a big heart, and a drive that won't stop.  Despite his serious job, Bruin is also known for his playful and goofy personality. When he's not out on rescue missions, he enjoys playing fetch, duck hunting, and getting lots of snuggles from his family.

In Memoriam

Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue K9s

Soleil

2000-2010

Handler: Jason O’Neill

                      Validations      CARDA Advance Rescue Dog

                                                GTK9 Advanced Rescue Dog

                                                TCISAR Building

                                                TCISAR Wilderness

Soleil worked full time at Whitewater Resort and Grand Targhee for a total of ten years validating as needed to the level of Advanced Rescue Dog.  We participated in five CARDA courses.  We worked as a K9 resource for Teton County Search and Rescue both in Wyoming and Idaho.  She was responsible for one live find (wilderness) and the recovery of an avalanche victim on Teton Pass.  Soleil passed away in 2013.

Murphy

2008-2014

Handler: Jason O’Neill

       Validation       CARDA Rescue Dog

                              GTK9 Advanced Rescue Dog

                              TCISAR Building

Murphy worked at Grand Targhee full time for six years before dying from cancer at eight years old.  He validated as needed with CARDA and GTK9.  We worked as a K9 resource for Teton County Search and Rescue both in Idaho and Wyoming. Murphy was responsible for helping to locate the remains of two buried skiers in GTNP.  Murphy passed away in 2014.