Our Team
The Flathead K-9 Foundation supports both Search & Rescue K-9s and Law Enforcement K-9s in our community. There are well over 20 dogs and handlers! These dynamic K-9 and handler duos dedicate their time and their hearts to the work they do. They train in all weather, respond at all hours of the day and night, and are always ready to protect the lives and safety of the people within their community.
Meet our incredible Team of dogs and their partners.
The Dogs
Search and Rescue
K-9 Finn
More About Me
Tracking & Trailing
Handler - Carrie Barone
K-9 Mandy
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Tracking & Trailing
Handler - Diane Phillips
K-9 Chloe
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Tracking & Trailing (In Training)
Handler - David Kelley
K-9 Brewster
More About Me
Area Search
Handler - Christine Kelley
K-9 Sophie
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Area Search
Handler - Dr. Jodi Berg
K-9 Johnnie
More About Me
Tracking & Trailing
Handler - Dr. China Prentice
K-9 Timber
More About Me
Tracking & Trailing (In Training)
Handler - Erika Williams
K-9 Jake
More About Me
Cadaver Detection
Handler - Dr. Todd Schleusner
K-9 Sadie
More About Me
Area Search
Handler - Amanda McIntosh
K-9 Krash
More About Me
Cadaver Detection
Handler - Julie Balch
K-9 Hank
More About Me
Area Search
Handler - David Kelley
K-9 Ernie
More About Me
Tracking & Trailing
Handler - Maja Zalewska
Law Enforcement
K-9 Sherlock
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Explosives Detection
Handler - Mike Skinner
K-9 Reggie
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Narcotics Detection
Handler - Officer Cale Vukonich
K-9 Rico
More About Me
Criminal Apprehension, Explosives Detection
Handler - Deputy Garrett Matthews
K-9 Vito
More About Me
Criminal Apprehension, Narcotics Detection
Handler - Deputy George Minaglia
K-9 Audie
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Criminal Apprehension, Evidence Recovery
Handler - Deputy Pat McGauley
K-9 Zora
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Criminal Apprehension, Evidence & Firearms Detection
Handler - Deputy Alex Geissler
End of Watch
K-9 Kuma
More About Me
Cadaver Detection
Handler - Julie Balch
The Handlers
Search and Rescue
Christine Kelley
Handler forK-9 Brewster
Christine Kelley is a volunteer member of Flathead County Search & Rescue Association. Previously a...
Dr. Todd Schleusner
Handler forK-9 Jake
Dr. Todd Schleusner is a volunteer member of North Valley Search & Rescue. He currently handles K-9...
Julie Balch
Handler forK-9 Krash
Julie Balch is a K-9 handler for Flathead County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue. She has been a member...
Erika Williams
Handler forK-9 Timber
Erika Williams joined Flathead County Search & Rescue in March of 2023. She is currently training...
Dr. Jodi Berg
Handler forK-9 Sophie
Jodi first started working with dogs for detection work as a wildlife biologist, using dogs to...
Maja Zalewska
Handler forK-9 Ernie
Maja Zalewska is from Poland and moved to the United States in 2017. She began her volunteer Search...
Dr. China Prentice
Handler forK-9 Johnnie
Dr. China Prentice is a veterinarian at Bigfork Animal Hospital and has been a member of North...
David Kelley
Handler forK-9 Hank
David Kelley is a volunteer member of Flathead County Search & Rescue Association. Previously a...
Amanda McIntosh
Handler forK-9 Sadie
Amanda joined the K9 team and Flathead County Search and Rescue in 2019 to develop the skills to be...
Carrie Barone
Handler forK-9 Finn
Carrie started her SAR career in 2019. She jumped right in with K9 Finn and they have been learning...
Diane Phillips
Handler forK-9 Mandy
Diane Phillips was born and raised in the Flathead Valley. She joined the army right out of high...
Law Enforcement
Deputy Alex Geissler
Handler forK-9 Zora
Alex Geissler is a Deputy Sheriff and canine handler for the Flathead County Sheriff’s office and...
Deputy Garrett Matthews
Handler forK-9 Rico
Garrett Mathews is a Sheriff's Deputy and canine handler for the Flathead County Sheriff's Office....
Mike Skinner
Handler forK-9 Sherlock
Mike Skinner retired from the FBI in July of 2015 after serving for over 29 years as a Special...
Officer Cale Vukonich
Handler forK-9 Reggie
Cale Vukonich is a Police Officer and canine handler for the Kalispell Police Department, and he...
Deputy Pat McGauley
Handler forK-9 Audie
Pat McGauley is a Deputy Sheriff and canine handler for the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and...
Deputy George Minaglia
Handler forK-9 Vito
George Minaglia is a Deputy Sheriff and handles K-9 Vito for the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office....