The Teams
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Melissa Schmalhorst
Retired Veteran Military Dog Handler/Trainer Founder/President of STMSAR
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Melissa, aka “Pony”, was born in Wiesbaden, Germany into a military family. She grew up training horses and went to Missouri State University competing on the Equestrian Team and majoring in Animal Science. She began her military career in July 2008 by joining the United States Air Force as Security Forces. During her ten years, she was an Armorer/Designated Marksman at Incirlik AB, Turkey, a Fire Team leader/Heavy Weapon gunner at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, and a patrol/explosive canine handler at Fairchild AFB, Washington as well as a lead trainer for MWD teams. She deployed multiple times to the Middle East during Operation New Dawn/Enduring Freedom and went on US Secret Service missions with her explosive dogs Glen N733 & Bety R204. In 2015 she was assigned to the 341st at Lackland AFB and trained explosive, narcotic and controlled aggression dogs for all branches of the Military. In 2018, she was medically retired from the Air Force and wanted to continue utilizing her dog handling and riding skills.
Certifications – Military Working Dog Handler, MWD Trainer/Kennel Master, S-V90 Water Survival Training, S-V84-AF Underwater Egress w/Helicopter, MWD Tier III Operations, NASAR SARTECH III, Wilderness Search Specialist, IPWDA Certified Human Remains K9 Handler, NASAR Mounted SAR Tech III.
Certifications – Military Working Dog Handler, MWD Trainer/Kennel Master, S-V90 Water Survival Training, S-V84-AF Underwater Egress w/Helicopter, MWD Tier III Operations, NASAR SARTECH III, Wilderness Search Specialist, IPWDA Certified Human Remains K9 Handler, NASAR Mounted SAR Tech III.
Molly Buis
Veteran
Co-Founder/Vice-President of STMSAR
Veteran
Co-Founder/Vice-President of STMSAR
Molly Buis grew up in southeast Michigan, where she attended Michigan State University. Molly served five years as an officer in the United States Army Military Police. She started with training and certifying her dog Pippi in Human Remains Detection and is excited to expand her skills to include mounted SAR. Asti is a Haflinger and a certified SAR mount. Asti’s other occupation is dressage but he loves anything that involves hanging out with people. His favorite treat is whatever you have in your hand.
Certifications – Wilderness Search Specialist, IPWDA Certified Human Remains K9 Handler, NASAR Mounted SAR Tech III.
Certifications – Wilderness Search Specialist, IPWDA Certified Human Remains K9 Handler, NASAR Mounted SAR Tech III.
