EMAT K-9 Program

The EMAT K-9 program was established as a volunteer program in late 1991 with the goal of setting search dog standards in Tennessee. An associate goal was to develop a program to assist TEMA Operations Officers at the EOC in locating the most qualified dog and handler team for a particular request or search mission.

Dogs and handlers must meet specific requirements regarding search and rescue skills and tactics. Dog and handler teams meeting the criteria will be recognized as EMAT Certified Search Dogs. The dog and handler are certified as a "team", not individually. Areas of EMAT certification include: Air Scent search, Scent discriminating trailing/tracking, Cadaver Land/Water and Disaster search (USAR). Areas NOT including in this program are: Police utility dogs, Drug dogs, Attack/personal protection dogs or dogs trained for non-scent discriminating tracking.

Aggression towards others and dogs trained in aggression are NOT suitable for EMAT certification.

The program has a state coordinator, regional coordinators and training officers/judges who pledge their support of the program and its objectives. For a complete package of information regarding preliminary requirements, search mission testing, re-certification, and rules and bylaws, contact:

        Patsy Hargis
        State Coordinator
        EMAT K-9 Special Services
        P.O. Box 213
        Bell Buckle, TN  37020-0213