For the next year I was in a state of "wonder"....  Why were we spared when so many others are less fortunate?  Why?  What did fate have in store for me?  The answer came in late 1992 when then Sheriff Roger Millward approached me about becoming a member of a new volunteer county rescue team under the direction of the Teton County Sheriff.  He was aware of my passion for backcountry skiing and mountaineering as well as my military and Park Service background.  After eight months of intensive training Teton County Search and Rescue was ready for action.  After many missions and numerous opportunities to work with and observe K-9 hasty teams I became interested in becoming a search dog handler.

In 1996 I joined Wyo K-9 SAR and began working with a friends shepherd/lab mix "Beaner".  "Beaner" was all heart but lacked focus and drive.  In January 1998 my German Shepherd "Kita" was picked from a litter of seven and I began the daunting task of training a search dog.  I have never regretted the decision to become a search dog handler and am frequently reminded of how much K-9 teams can enhance the probability of locating a missing person. Now that many missions have passed I have come to recognize what is so special about SAR.  It is those shared moments of terror and sorrow versus the swell of pride and feeling of accomplishment after successfully pulling off a difficult mission.  I am both humbled and honored to serve with so many very special people."

Ray Shriver has been a member of  Search and Rescue since March of 1986.  He has been a K-9 handler since January of 1998.  He and his dog Kita are operational in Avalanche, Wilderness, Cadaver and Water.  He is hoping to test in trailing.  Ray is a charter member of Teton County SAR, a NASAR Tech II, a Swiftwater Rescue Tech II, a High Angle Rescue Tech II, a NCRC Cave Rescue II, and NASAR Certified in "Managing the Lost Person Incident."

Ray has extensive outdoor/rescue experience, which began with a military career, doing US Army Recon from 1968-1974.  He also worked for the National Park Service in Yellowstone from 1985-1989.  He has been on over 200 SAR missions, and 34 missions as a K-9 handler.  He has had 5 K-9 finds.

Why does he do K-9 SAR? -  "In Jan. 1991 my ten year old son and I were totally buried by a large slab avalanche in Snowshoe Bowl off Mount Glory in the Teton Range. We were not equipped with transceivers.  A member of our party, an Exum Mountain Guide, and my thirteen year old son had the presence of mind to observe our last seen point and quickly conducted a "scuff search".  We were both dug out unharmed!!  Nothing less than a miracle!!

Kita in a helicopter