Introducing K9 Sammie – Scent‑Specific, Area & Wilderness Live‑Find K9
K9 Sammie was born on December 19, 2022, and comes from strong working‑line heritage—her sire is Czech, and her dam is East German, both known for exceptional tracking and scent‑work genetics. Sammie joined our family on January 19, 2023, and her training began immediately.
She successfully completed Beginner, Novice, and Advanced Obedience, earning her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate in July 2023.
January 2024 we began search training foundation with KSARDA (Ks Search and Recovery Assoc.) until we moved to Oklahoma in August 2024, where we train with Red Dirt/OSAR.
Intro to building search Training 6-4-24
1st Barn Search CSAR Event 5-3-24
Elevated find 4-17-24
Area find 6-18-24 Training
Sammie trying to cheat as we set up search lol
Elevated Training 12-14-24
Elevated Training 6-18-24
Area Training 4-6-25
Patiently waiting 5-13-26
Training Overview (January 2024 – May 2026)
Beginning in January 2024, Sammie completed four months of structured puppy runs and foundational Search‑and‑Rescue training. This early phase focused on confidence‑building, motivational runaways, scent‑recognition foundations, handler communication, environmental exposure, and reinforcing strong search behavior—establishing the core skills needed for advanced work.
As of May 13, 2026, our team has accumulated 50 hours of specified SAR training through participation in three recognized seminars:
CSAR 2024
CSAR 2025
Ark‑La‑Tex K9 Search and Rescue Strike Team 2026
These seminars provided structured instruction in scent theory, field deployment, K9 search techniques, and handler development. We also have three additional seminars scheduled for the remainder of 2026, which will further expand our certified training hours.
In addition to seminar hours, Sammie has acquired approximately 108 hours of documented team training since January 2024. While this number may appear modest, K9 search training hours are earned through successful subject locates, not by the clock. Each repetition reflects real‑time problem‑solving, precision, and performance.
About the Handler – Stephanie Coplen, SAR Tech II
I was raised working with German Shepherds, getting my first pup at age 10 and continuing K9 training through my early teens. That early foundation shaped my lifelong connection to working dogs.
After retiring as a Sergeant in Corrections, I became involved in missing‑persons work in 2011, creating Media for the Missing. I always knew that one day our team would include a Search‑and‑Rescue K9—and that vision became reality with Sammie.
My professional certifications include:
CPR
Wilderness First Aid
Helicopter in Search and Rescue
Crime Scene Preservation
Hazardous Materials
Bloodborne Pathogens
ISO 100, 200, 700, 800
Today, I serve as K9 Sammie’s Handler and Trainer, continuing to build our skills, education, and readiness for deployment.