MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – JTFK9S is taking a team of four cadaver dogs to Kerr County, Texas, in hopes of helping bring families closure after devastating flooding.
The nonprofit, which trains service dogs for Veterans as well as search and recovery missions, said it’s preparing mentally and physically for the difficult task ahead.
Founder Keith Holland said they received a call for help from Heroes for Humanity, which is already on the ground in Texas and has recovered nearly 20 people so far.
The Guadalupe River rose more than 20 feet during last week’s flood, killing at least 120 people, with more than 170 still missing.
Holland said he’s spent the last few days freshening up his dog Quill’s skills by going through different obstacles that resemble terrain and scent training.
Holland and Quill spent three weeks in Western North Carolina last year after Hurricane Helene, which killed more than one hundred people.
He said the mission in Kerr County will be especially heartbreaking, searching for the missing children from Camp Mystic, where nearly 30 children died last Friday.
Holland said they’re prepared to do whatever it takes to help find those missing.
“It’s a heavy mission, but it’s something we thrive and live for,” Holland said. “Just to help people is what gives us fuel to do what we’re gonna do. We’re going to come in full force and try to do as much as we can do as long as we can do it.”
Holland said K-9s are crucial for search and recovery efforts, getting in places most people can’t.
He said once Quill alerts him that he has found something, he will bring him into the area from a different angle to see if he goes back to the same spot.
Once other dogs also confirm they found something, Holland said they mark four corners around the location and send a date, time and grid for crews to move in.
Holland said he plans to stay in Texas for a week but will make the 20-hour trip as many times as he needs until the job is done.
