Workshops
2023 Workshops
Our catalog of in person workshops offer
opportunities for every skill level of dog and handler.
Not sure which one is right for you?
Check out our workshop comparison chart to help you decide
or email us at info@thecfte.com
Spike's School for K9 SAR Application
Application
Spike’s School - SAR Edition
Introduction:
Spike’s K9 Fund was founded in 2014, to provide active and retired working K9s the support, equipment, and post-retirement care they need and deserve.
The goal of our Spike’s School - SAR Edition program is to educate and improve communication between handler and K9 through top notch training from exceptional and recognized trainers across the country. Quality training results in increased effectiveness in the workplace and safer handling, protecting everyone involved - and this is our goal.
Spike’s K9 Fund was founded by James Hatch, a retired member of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and named after his first working K9 “Spike” who was killed in action in 2006. James was a K9 handler on multiple combat deployments. He and his team regularly relied on the K9’s to preserve their lives. On the night James was wounded in 2009, a K9 named “Remco” saved his life while losing his own. Now James is committed to preserving K9 lives in the same, dedicated way that the K9’s preserved human lives.
We will be teaming up with the Center for Forensic Training and Education (CFTE) to provide the best education possible. They provide innovative and customizable training and operational support to agencies and individuals regarding all aspects of the preparation and execution of search and recovery scenes.
This training will be 100% funded by our donors. We want to ensure everyone’s time is valued. Thank you in advance for your commitment to be better, thus making a difference in the K9 community and YOUR community.
Spike’s School will be sponsoring up to 50% of the working spots in all of CFTE’s 2022 advanced workshops. If selected for one of the Spike’s School working spots your registration fee will be covered if you complete all requirements. * See Spike’s Fitness Test below.
The workshops eligible for Spike’s School Sponsorship are:
- HRD Land Advanced August 23-24
- HRD Water Advanced August 25-27
- Burials September 15-16
- Crime Scene September 17-19
Qualifications:
To be considered for Spike’s School, applicants must be an active and deployable member of their SAR agency and have a current K9 certification from a recognized external agency. Applicants must also meet the workshop prerequisites for which they are applying. Complete the Spike’s School application and submit all supplemental documentation in the workshop registration page at least two months prior to the start of the workshop you are requesting sponsorship for.
Award Announcement: Award recipients will be announced 2 months prior to the start of the workshop you are applying for. If selected you must attend and participate all workshop activities including classroom presentations and field work, successfully complete the Spike’s Fitness Test, and adhere to all course policies. If you do not meet any of these requirements you will be required to reimburse Spike’s K9 Fund for your registration fee and you may be asked to leave the workshop if you violate the course policies.
* MUST READ: Spike’s Fitness Test:
Arrive prepared. This was a theme in our Founder’s former line of work that remains with us today. We believe it is important to be prepared for the job at hand. As a requirement for each course sponsorship, we are asking every applicant, with their canine, to complete a 1 mile hike with the handler carrying 25lbs. in 20 minutes or less. Each applicant will be tested the first morning of the workshop before the course begins. If you or your canine are unable to pass the fitness test, the applicant is responsible for Spike’s School fees, totaling the cost of the course registration, which will need to be paid the first morning of the workshop.
Application Checklist
To complete the application form you will need the following information:
SAR Resume ☐
K9 Bio ☐
Copy of Current K9 Certification ☐
Copy of Current K9 Vaccinations ☐
SAR Agency Letter of Recommendation ☐
Letter of Recommendation from LE or FD you have conducted searches for ☐
Current photo of handler & K9 in uniform ☐
All items on the checklist must be included and completed 2 months prior to the start of the workshop you are requesting sponsorship for. Incomplete applications will be discarded without consideration. For questions about Spike’s School for K9 SAR contact deana@thecfte.com or call 330-466-8142.
$50.00Add to cart
Live Find & HRD Disaster Response Workshops
Disaster Response for
USAR Handlers
October 19-20, 2023
Disaster Response for USAR Handlers
October 19-20
SPIKE’S K9 FUND
CENTER FOR FORENSIC TRAINING AND EDUCATION
FLORIDA’S FORENSIC INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH, SECURITY, AND TACTICS (FIRST)
Introduction:
Spike’s K9 Fund was founded in 2014, to provide active and retired working K9s the support, equipment, and post-retirement care they need and deserve.
The goal of our Spike’s School - SAR Edition program is to educate and improve communication between handler and K9 through top notch training from exceptional and recognized trainers across the country. Quality training results in increased effectiveness in the workplace and safer handling, protecting everyone involved - and this is our goal.
Spike’s K9 Fund was founded by James Hatch, a retired member of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and named after his first working K9 “Spike” who was killed in action in 2006. James was a K9 handler on multiple combat deployments. He and his team regularly relied on the K9’s to preserve their lives. On the night James was wounded in 2009, a K9 named “Remco” saved his life while losing his own. Now James is committed to preserving K9 lives in the same, dedicated way that the K9’s preserved human lives.
We will be teaming up with the Center for Forensic Training and Education (CFTE) to provide the best education possible. They provide innovative and customizable training and operational support to agencies and individuals regarding all aspects of the preparation and execution of search and recovery scenes.
This training will be 100% funded by our donors. We want to ensure everyone’s time is valued. Thank you in advance for your commitment to be better, thus making a difference in the K9 community and YOUR community.
Spike’s School will be sponsoring 24 working spots in the Disaster Response for Wilderness Handlers Workshop. This workshop is open to live find and human remains detection teams.
Qualifications:
To be considered for Spike’s School, applicants must be an active and deployable member of their SAR agency and have a current K9 certification from a recognized external agency.
Award Announcement: Applications are due by June 15, 2023. Award recipients will be announced by June 30, 2023. 24 handlers will be selected.
* MUST READ: Spike’s Fitness Test:
Arrive prepared. This was a theme in our Founder’s former line of work that remains with us today. We believe it is important to be prepared for the job at hand. As a requirement for each course sponsorship, we are asking every applicant to complete a 1 mile hike carrying 25lbs. in 20 minutes or less. Each applicant will be tested the first morning of the before the course begins. If unable to pass the fitness test, the applicant is responsible for Spike’s School fees of $200. Your $200 application fee will become a donation to Spike’s K9 Fund.
WHO: Live Find and HRD USAR Handlers
WHAT: Improve your ability to search effectively and safely in a USAR environment
WHEN: October 19-20, 2023 0800 – 1700 with an evening session on 10/20
WHERE: F1RST, K9 Research and Training Campus, Land O’ Lakes, FL
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Concrete rubble searches
- Building searches
- K9 Agility for USAR
- Lifting/Rappelling
- K9 First Aid
- USAR Equipment overview and safety discussion
Instructors and Special Guests:
- USAR Handlers: Deana Hudgins, Nick Fathergill, Kathleen Kelsey, as well as other local USAR Handlers.
$50.00Add to cart
Disaster Response for
Wilderness Handlers
October 21-22, 2023
Disaster Response for
Wilderness Handlers
October 21-22
SPIKE’S K9 FUND
CENTER FOR FORENSIC TRAINING AND EDUCATION
FLORIDA’S FORENSIC INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH, SECURITY, AND TACTICS (FIRST)
Introduction:
Spike’s K9 Fund was founded in 2014, to provide active and retired working K9s the support, equipment, and post-retirement care they need and deserve.
The goal of our Spike’s School - SAR Edition program is to educate and improve communication between handler and K9 through top notch training from exceptional and recognized trainers across the country. Quality training results in increased effectiveness in the workplace and safer handling, protecting everyone involved - and this is our goal.
Spike’s K9 Fund was founded by James Hatch, a retired member of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and named after his first working K9 “Spike” who was killed in action in 2006. James was a K9 handler on multiple combat deployments. He and his team regularly relied on the K9’s to preserve their lives. On the night James was wounded in 2009, a K9 named “Remco” saved his life while losing his own. Now James is committed to preserving K9 lives in the same, dedicated way that the K9’s preserved human lives.
We will be teaming up with the Center for Forensic Training and Education (CFTE) to provide the best education possible. They provide innovative and customizable training and operational support to agencies and individuals regarding all aspects of the preparation and execution of search and recovery scenes.
This training will be 100% funded by our donors. We want to ensure everyone’s time is valued. Thank you in advance for your commitment to be better, thus making a difference in the K9 community and YOUR community.
Spike’s School will be sponsoring 24 working spots in the Disaster Response for Wilderness Handlers Workshop. This workshop is open to live find and human remains detection teams.
Qualifications:
To be considered for Spike’s School, applicants must be an active and deployable member of their SAR agency and have a current K9 certification from a recognized external agency.
Award Announcement: Applications are due by June 15, 2023. Award recipients will be announced by June 30, 2023. 24 handlers will be selected.
* MUST READ: Spike’s Fitness Test:
Arrive prepared. This was a theme in our Founder’s former line of work that remains with us today. We believe it is important to be prepared for the job at hand. As a requirement for each course sponsorship, we are asking every applicant to complete a 1 mile hike carrying 25lbs. in 20 minutes or less. Each applicant will be tested the first morning of the before the course begins. If unable to pass the fitness test, the applicant is responsible for Spike’s School fees of $200. Your $200 application fee will become a donation to Spike’s K9 Fund.
WHO: Live Find and HRD Wilderness Handlers Operating in a Disaster Environment
WHAT: Improve your ability to search effectively and safely in a USAR environment
WHEN: October 21-22, 2023 0800 – 1700 with an evening session on 10/22
WHERE: F1RST, K9 Research and Training Campus, Land O’ Lakes, FL
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Concrete rubble searches
- Building searches
- K9 Agility for USAR
- Lifting/Rappelling
- K9 First Aid
- USAR Equipment overview and safety discussion
Instructors and Special Guests:
- USAR Handlers: Deana Hudgins, Nick Fathergill, Kathleen Kelsey, as well as other local USAR Handlers.
Application Checklist
- To complete the application form you will need the following information:
- SAR Resume ☐
- K9 Bio ☐
- Copy of Current K9 Certification ☐
- Copy of Current K9 Vaccinations ☐
- SAR Agency Letter of Recommendation ☐
- Letter of Recommendation from LE or FD you have conducted searches for ☐
- Current photo of handler & K9 in uniform ☐
All items on the checklist must be included and completed BY June 15, 2023. Incomplete applications will be discarded without consideration. For questions about the Disaster Response Spike’s School, contact deana@thecfte.com or call 330-466-8142.
$50.00Add to cart
HRD Land - Large Source Workshops
These workshops are designed to provide a progressive training opportunity to expose yourself and your dog to large sources up to full sets of remains. Beginner will guide you through introducing your dog to large sources. Intermediate is designed for teams that are ready to move past exposure to guided searches. Advanced Scenarios gives you the opportunity to put your skills to the test with blind and know exercises that simulate real world searches. Click on a workshop below to learn more.
NEW for 2023, we will not be offering an Advanced Distractions Workshop this year, instead we will be focusing on skill level appropriate distraction training in each of our workshops.
HRD Water Workshops
From beginning teams just starting out to advanced teams that are routinely responding to water searches, we have a workshop to meet your training needs. Beginner will teach you how to develop and implement a water search protocol for shoreline and introduce you to boat operations. Intermediate will focus on extending nose time on open water and shoreline searches, and effectively using search strategy. Advanced Scenarios will offer numerous opportunities for known and blind searches in moving and still water environments that simulate real world searches. Click on a workshop below to learn more.
NEW for 2023, we will not be offering an Advanced Distractions Workshop this year, instead we will be focusing on skill level appropriate distraction training in each of our workshops.
HRD Land Specialized Workshops
These workshops are land based and geared to specific training objectives HRD Advanced Distractions will challenge you to work through the most distracting conditions you will face during real searches including live animals and hoarding conditions. HRD Crime Scene will prepare you to work criminal cases with varying source sizes from trace to large sources in building, vehicle, and wide area environments. Burials will focus on multiple full body burials of various ages from days up to a month or more. Burn will prepare teams to respond to structure fires as well as wildfire searches. Click on a workshop below to learn more.
NEW for 2023, we will not be offering an Advanced Distractions Workshop this year, instead we will be focusing on skill level appropriate distraction training in each of our workshops.
