Ireland's Specialist Search & Rescue Dogs
Volunteer teams delivering mantrailing and open area search capability across Ireland
When a person is missing, ISSARD provides disciplined, compassionate dog teams who work alongside search managers, Garda units and community responders to bring people home.
Specialist search dog disciplines
ISSARD develops teams across mantrailing and open area searching so that tasking agencies can request the right dog capability for every scenario.
Scent-discriminating dogs following the trail of a specific missing person.
From scent article to last known point, our trailing teams map routes through complex environments to close the distance and deliver actionable intelligence to search managers.
- Deployable day or night across urban, suburban and rural ground.
- Each team practices scent discrimination, navigation and operational briefings weekly.
- Detailed trail reports assist search managers in prioritising follow-on actions.
ISSARD currently has a number of Cadaver Dogs in training.
We recognise the growing need in Ireland for dogs trained to international best practice standards in this specialist area. Once certified, our dogs will be capable of working across a variety of environments, from remote woodland to complex urban settings. For further information about our Cadaver Dog programme, please contact us.
Air-scenting dogs clearing large spaces quickly to locate missing people.
Working off-lead with radio-guided handlers, our open area dogs cast through woodland, farmland and upland terrain to rapidly cover ground.
- Wide-area sweeps coordinated with search management plans and mapping tools.
- Integrates with helicopter, drone and ground teams for layered coverage.
- Structured conditioning places welfare, stamina and debriefing front and centre.
Coordinated search support from call-out to stand down
Every ISSARD deployment is backed by operations staff, logistics planners and welfare teams. Together we create a safe, intelligence-led environment for our dogs, handlers and partner agencies.
Volunteers who hide for our dogs, assist with logistics or lend specialist expertise keep ISSARD ready to respond. We welcome new supporters from across the island.
Register your interestFollow @issardteamGallery highlights
Regular scenario-based training keeps our dog teams sharp. These glimpses capture volunteers, handlers and dogs preparing for the next call-out.
Supported by our sponsors
Nuacom and Panoptic IT help equip our volunteers and keep essential communications running. Their support ensures every ISSARD deployment is ready for success.
