Thanks to a trio of dogs and their handlers, the Door County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is better equipped to find your friends and loved ones during emergencies.

The Door County Emergency Management Department announced on Thursday that three K-9 Teams earned their national certification in tracking/trailing teams. Ollie, an English Chocolate Lab (handler Bob Simandl), Shyla, a Dixie Dingo (handler Ward Merkel), and Dreamer, a Portuguese Water Dog (handler Robert Lengh), received their certification as part of five days of intensive training in Madison. The CERT now has five dogs certified in tracking/trailing teams, with Ollie, Shyla, and Dreamer joining Toby and Hannah with the distinction. “We are so proud of the hard work our canine members and their handlers have put in for the betterment of Door County,” said Emergency Management Director Jeb Saelens. “These certifications represent a significant step forward in expanding our ability to respond effectively to emergencies.” He added that dogs would be a tremendous resource for law enforcement in the area.

Saelens encourages people interested in the CERT or its K-9 Unit to contact the Door County Emergency Management Department.