TX-TF2 has three more deployable canine handler teams. On April 12th, Michelle Whalen and her dog Tommy, Andrea Sutcliff and her dog Skye, and Terri Griffin and her dog Gizzy passed the SUSAR Type II canine evaluation. This is the first phase evaluation that our canine teams must pass prior to completing the Type I evaluation. Passing the Type II evaluation makes them deployable with TX-TF2. So much work goes into preparing for these evaluations, both on the handlers part and conducting the evaluations.
All of our canine handlers participated in preparing for the evaluation. A lot of work had to be done to prepare the rubble pile, setup hotels, setup the field for the different phases of the evaluation, obtain volunteers to act as participants, get food and water, and much more. Our canine group did an excellent job.