Search Dog Organization of North America conducting K9 training seminar at Chris Greene Lake this weekend

Albemarle County is hosting a Search Dog Organization of North America (SDONA) training seminar, Water Search for Human Remains Detection Dogs, at Chris Green Lake this weekend.

SDONA, a national K9 Search and Rescue training organization, in conjunction with the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS) and the Lake Monticello Water Rescue and Dive Team, are conducting this seminar to train dogs and handlers the skills and techniques required to locate human remains in the water environment.

All aspects of water search work will be addressed. Dogs and handlers will be familiarized to safely and comfortably search from both the shore and from boats.

The weekend-long seminar will kick off on Friday morning at CARS where attendees will listen to lectures on scent theory, safety around water, and past missions. Friday afternoon through Sunday morning attendees will be participating in hands-on demonstrations and practical training of water search skills and techniques at Chris Greene Lake. These exercises will be performed from the shoreline and boat.

“It is our privilege to welcome SDONA to Chris Green Lake,” said Matthew Smith, Albemarle County Parks Superintendent. “Albemarle County is proud to be able to provide the types of facilities needed for this important work.”