The National Search And Rescue Dog Association

The initial Water Search training took 2 years to complete utilising training and assessment standards from National SARDA(NSARDA). The first stage of assessment is ‘Land/shore’ search of which Tam was assessed in 2019 and successfully passed. Unfortunately, due to Covid Tam was due to be assessed in March 2020 for the second stage – Boat water search, which had to be delayed until December 2021.  Tam completed and passed his assessment in December 2021.

Water Search training is an ongoing process, and we maintain this through regular training with Nith Inshore and SARDA Southern Scotland.  To ensure that Tam still meets the NSARDA assessment standards, he was reassessed in March 2025 for land/shore and boat search. Tam successfully passed both aspects of the assessment process

As a team, Tam and I have responded to call outs for Nith Inshore Rescue, searching the local River Nith and surrounding rivers and inland waters from land and boat – these have involved local and major multiagency searches within Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire.

Additionally, we have responded to call outs through SARDA Southern Scotland and at the request of Lancashire and Shrewsbury Police forces.