Although she’s been on 30 volunteer search missions and committed more than two years of time to Mid Atlantic DOGS, Allysia is still in training (as is her young Rottweiler, Gander). But to her, the time and effort is worth it. She once worked a cadaver case involving a young murder victim. If searchers couldn’t find the body, prosecutors wouldn’t be able to mount a successful case against their suspect. “It was a mushy, hateful search during a humid, muggy Virginia summer. We searched for hours,” she says. But the body was found, and the case is now headed to trial. It’s this story Allysia recalls when asked what’s most rewarding about being part of Mid Atlantic DOGS.

Best not to underestimate a dog’s resilience, either. “Search dogs are energetic and full of drive,” says Allysia. “It takes a lot of gumption to be a search dog. They’re all pretty confident and solid.” Gander, rescued by Allysia from Animal Control when he was six months old, has what it takes. “I have a good relationship with him,” she says. “We work well together.” Unfortunately, Gander recently underwent knee surgery, which will keep him from training for at least 6 months. Allysia’s been told some dogs recover from this type of surgery to become healthy searchers again, but others never regain the strength necessary for the job’s demands. “I’ve been pretty heartbroken [over the setback]. He’s got a lot of heart, and he’s really young. I think he’ll be ok. I’m just trying to keep positive.”