Discover The Lifesaving Legacy Of Kai the Search And Rescue Dog Who Passed Away

There are so many ways that dogs enrich our daily lives. While most are beloved family pets, others are lifesaving resources. These heroic canines should be honored for their discipline and commitment. Meet Kai an 8-year-old Giant Schnauzer trained in Human Remains Detection. She passed away recently after playing a critical role in a high-profile Nashville case.

Kai one of the search K9's involved with the search for Riley Strain has been hospitalized after her search efforts on the Cumberland River. Get better Kai!!, the United Cajun Navy shared in the hope for a full recovery

When I heard about Kai she was fighting for her life, but hope remained. SAR dogs matter in this world. Their specialized training and skills to search and recover to bring people home matters. Kai was one of the best and will be missed.

MEET K-9 HERO KAI

My friend Amy Payne and K-9 SAR ROCCO work with the Kentucky K9 Search and Rescue Foundation. Rocco is a 7-year-old German Shepherd trained in Search and Rescue for 5 years. He's a team member of Commonwealth Canine Search and Recovery and has assisted with many cases and several agencies. They're part of a highly trained group that helps when a person is lost or goes missing. Nan and Kai are also part of this group of heroes. When I first heard about Kai, Amy said she was fighting for her life.

"Kai is an 8-year-old Giant Schnauzer trained in Human Remains Detection and has assisted in various cases locally and in other states. She has been in the hospital since returning from her most recent search on the Cumberland River, where she indicated to her handler at the location where, hours later, the body of the victim surfaced."

Kai's handler and the veterinary care team worked tirelessly to save her life, but it wasn't to be. She succumbed to her illness. Kai’s handler is a retired senior on a fixed income. She's dedicated thousands of hours and money to help families have the closure they deserve. Now it's time to honor this K-9 hero and her family.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Amy and the K9 Search and Rescue Foundation are asking for our help.

Thank you, Amy & Rocco, Nan & Kai, and countless others who work tirelessly to make our world a better place to live.

Kentucky K-9 Search and Rescue Foundation is an all-volunteer, non-profit search and rescue ​organization.