About us

C.A.E.S.A.R. was founded in 1990 with the mission of providing highly trained canine search and rescue services to local response agencies.  Today, we support the efforts of searchers in counties across Western Pennsylvania free-of-charge with 24/7 availability. 

On average, we respond to 30+ requests each year for searches involving: 

C.A.E.S.A.R.’s main focus is education and training.  After all, our critical mission demands it.  Each of our members and their canine partners are required to spend more than 20 hours each month training with the team utilizing various scenarios to simulate what might be seen in the field.  Before being approved for deployment, each canine/handler team must be tested and certified in their specific search function (trailing, air scent, water rescue, cadaver).  In addition, team members participate in a variety of regional and national seminars with well-known canine and search and rescue instructors.  We have also hosted many training seminars, including our multi-day training conference, K-9 Kamp, which had more than 40 participating dogs and their handlers.  The K-9 Kamp takes place annually in the fall.

teams, schools and Boy and Girl Scout Troops.  While we train to respond to search and rescue events, we also train others in the hope of preventing their very occurrence.

Note. C.A.E.S.A.R. does not perform search services to find lost pets. Please look at these links for help.