Rescuer preparing to fly. Photo by Lincoln Else SAR Technician John Gleason on a rescue board during training in the Merced River. Photo by Dave Pope.

The YOSAR Team

YOSAR's Canine Team - YODOGS
[YODOGS Team]     [About YODOGS]

YOSAR’s shaggiest team members are four-footed. Since 1999 Yosemite has fielded its own canine search team of twenty-five dogs and their handlers, nick-named "YODOGS."

Handler: Wayne Behrens
Home town: Woodside, CA
YODOG since: 2000
Dog (left): "Penny"
Breed: Labrador Retriever

Co-Team Leader

Handler: Mike Bigelow
Home town: Sacramento, CA
YODOG since: 1999
Dog (at feet): "Jip"
Breed: Australian Shepherd

Handler: Gordon Durand
Home town: Truckee, CA
YODOG since: 2001
Dog: "Chipper"
Breed: Golden Retriever

Handler: Rick Falkenberg
Home town: Truckee, CA
YODOG since: 2008
Dog (left): "Carmel"
Breed: Golden Retriever

Handler: Kelly Hearn
Home town: Covina, CA
YODOG since: 2008
Dog (left): "Goose"
Breed: Australian Cattle Dog

Handler: Tim Houweling
Home town: San Jose, CA
YODOG since: 2009
Dog (left): "Deuce"
Breed: Labrador Retriever

Handler: Elise Lalor
Home town: San Jose, CA
YODOG since: 2007
Dog (left): "Moose"
Breed: Labrador Retriever

Handler: Ken Myers
Home town: Nevada City, CA
YODOG since: 2002
Dog: "Rondo"
Breed: German Shepherd

Handler: Eric Seelenfreund
Home town: Truckee, CA
YODOG since: 2010
Dog (left): "Murphy"
Breed: Golden Retriever

Handler: Bryan Selby
Home town: San Francisco, CA
YODOG since: 1999
Dog: "Joe Fox"
Breed: German Shepherd

Handler: Rick Strasser
Home town: San Luis Obispo, CA
YODOG since: 2002
Dog (left): "Rainier"
Breed: White German Shepherd

Co-Team Leader

Handler: Jeff Wait
Home town: Lodi, CA
YODOG since: 2005
Dog: "Otis"
Breed: Blood Hound

Handler: Gerald Weidler
Home town: Nevada City, CA
YODOG since: 2008
Dog: "Ari"
Breed: Slovakian Shepherd

Handler: Eugenia Woodward
Home town: Palo Alto, CA
YODOG since: 2009
Dog (left): "Zulu"
Breed: Labrador Retriever

Photos donated by Angela Wells.

You can become a part of the YOSAR Team by applying here.