About the Owner - Kristi Smith
I have had a love and dedication to training dogs my entire life. I began training dogs competitively in my teenage years when I began showing Rough Collies and Doberman Pinschers in Conformation and Obedience Classes for my parents and began training dogs professionally in 1981. I titled my first Breed Champion, a Doberman Pinscher, when I was only 13 years old. In 1982 I joined the Victoria Dog Obedience Club where I was an active member and Obedience Instructor teaching Novice, Open, Utility and Puppy Classes and was on one of the first Agility Teams in the United States. Throughout the years, I have constantly expanded my education in regards to dog training and in particular working with difficult behavioral issues such as aggression. I specialize in evaluating behavioral issues and defining programs to assist owners in overcoming these issues with their canine companions.
I am a Certified Veterinary Technician and have served on the Board of Directors for the Veterinary Health Care Team of Arizona since 2002. I have also served as the Education Committee Chairman since 2002, setting educational opportunities for Veterinary Staff statewide and am currently the President Elect. for 2008-2009. I continually work with and collaborate with Veterinarians and Veterinary Staff on educational programs for the general public as an advocate for keeping pets in their homes through proper training and reducing the numbers of pets in shelters by spaying and neutering.
In 1988 I took an interest in Search and Rescue and have volunteered countless hours every year since, in this endeavor. During my years of involvement with SAR I have responded to numerous searches that resulted in many finds and letters of commendation for service. In 1997 alone I responded to approximately 35 searches as a K-9 Team Leader and Handler of Sheik & Remington, which resulted in them having many finds. These finds included wilderness, water, urban, disaster, cadaver, evidence and bone identification. I began my SAR Career with the Kentucky Search Dog Association. I was instrumental in the formation of MARK-9 (Maricopa Association of Rescue K9’s) and Arizona Search Track and Rescue, Inc. (a non-profit organization) and have served in numerous capacities with both organizations. I also helped set some of the highest standards and testing & evaluation procedures for K-9's and Handlers in the state with these organizations. I have trained 5 of my own dogs to Operational Levels and have assisted in the training of hundreds of other Operational SAR Dogs across the country. I currently have three operationally trained SAR dogs who are at advanced levels, as well as a young dog in-training.
My AZ STaR Roles have included: Founder of AZ STaR in 1989, Commander, Training Officer, Standards & Records Officer, Team Leader, Public Information Officer, Search Management, Lead Instructor, and Operational K9 Handler in the following disciplines: Airscent, Trailing, Cadaver, Water, Evidence and Human Remains Detection.
Outside of working my dogs, I volunteer many hours doing guest speaking, public appearances, demonstrations and working with youth and adult groups to educate them about wilderness safety as well as the capabilities of search dogs in various disciplines.
Other Professional Organizations
Canine Political Action Committee Member and Sponsor since 2007
National Association of Small Business Employers since 2005
NASAR Member since 1989
American Red Cross Volunteer & Health and Safety Instructor; 2000 to 2006
American Belgian Tervuren Club: Member; 1989 – 2006
Victoria Dog Obedience Club; Member / Trainer; 1983 to 2000
Maricopa County Sheriff's Department; 1993 – 1998
Desert Search Unit & Maricopa Association of Search Dogs (MaRK-9)
- SAR Dog Handler & Man-tracker for MCSO Desert Search Unit from 8-93 through 10-1996
- Commander of MARK-9 (newly formed SAR K-9 unit) 10/96 - 9/97
- SAR Dog Handler 8/93 - 5/98
- Team leader 8/93 - 5/98
- Director, Secretary
- Standards & Records Officer
- Assistant Training Officer
- Operational Level I & II Search Dog Handler
- Overhead Management
- Obedience Officer, and Assistant Obedience Officer
- Assistant Class Instructor
Awards
The awards and Commendations that I have received include but are not limited to the following:
AZVMA - My search dog Chance were named as Arizona's Inductee into the Pet Hall of Fame, October 2006 at the Wild West Veterinary Conference in Reno, Nevada
Veterinary Health Care Team of Arizona May 2006:
Kristi Smith, CVT, Award for contributions to the association and service to the Veterinary Medical Profession
Letter of Appreciation to Kristi Smith for my assistance with the Joan Shelton Search in the Santa Catalina Mountains on May 1, 2004
Del Monte Fresh Produce:
Multiple Letters of appreciation to Kristi Smith and Remington for their assistance with the Pedro Corzo Search, Jan, 11, 2004
White Mountain Indian Tribal Council:
Letter of Appreciation to Kristi Smith, Remington and Chance for their assistance with the Rupert Thompson Search September 27-2002
American Red Cross - Grand Canyon Chapter:
Outstanding Service to the Community, 2002
Letter of Commendation to Kristi Smith for Outstanding Service to the Community and my efforts in response to the Rodeo-Chediski Wildfire Disaster, 2002
2002 Certificate of Appreciation, American Red Cross, Arizona Rocks Convention Volunteer
2002 Certificate of Appreciation, American Red Cross, Northeast AZ Wildfires
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children:
Letter of appreciation for their assistance with the multiple Mikelle Biggs searches that have occurred from March 31, 2001 through March 17, 2003
2002 - Human Remains Detection Dog Training - SAR Dog Foundry & American Detector Dogs
Letter of appreciation to Kristi Smith, Sheik and Remington for their assistance with the "Coolidge Incident" November 27, 2000
Grand Canyon National Park Service:
Letter of appreciation to Kristi Smith and Sheik for their assistance with the Phantom Creek Flash Flood September 13, 1997 through September 16, 1997
Maricopa County Sheriff's Dept.:
Outstanding Service to the Community, 1996
Outstanding Service to the Community, 1997
Maricopa Association of Rescue K-9's, Maricopa County Sheriff's Dept.:
Certificate of Achievement to Kristi Smith & Sheik (SAR K-9) for Outstanding Service to the Community, 1997
Certificate of Achievement to Kristi Smith & Remington (SAR K-9) for Outstanding Service to the Community, 1997
"Nose of the Desert Award" presented to Sheik & Remington
Coconino County Sheriff's Department:
Letter of Commendation for Kristi Smith & Sheik for the Antelope Canyon Incident, 1997
Office of Emergency Services, Group III, Arizona Wing, Civil Air Patrol:
Letter of Commendation for Kristi Smith & Sheik for their presentation and demonstration of The use SAR K-9's in a Missing Person Incident, 1997
Samaritan Health Systems:
Letter of Commendation to Kristi Smith & Sheik for their presentation and demonstration of SAR K-9's, 1996, 1997
City of Phoenix Police Department:
Letter of Commendation for Kristi Smith & Sheik for the Brad Hanson Incident, 1995
Kentucky Search Dog Association:
Award for Outstanding Service to The Kentucky Search Dog Association, 1993
Victoria Dog Obedience Club:
Award to Kristi Smith & Sheik (SAR K-9) for their "Special Efforts in Search and Rescue", 1992
