Fundraiser for Southern Michigan K-9 Search and Rescue deemed a success

HILLSDALE — The Southern Michigan K-9 Search and Rescue fundraiser Friday, Oct. 13, at the Hillsdale Elks Lodge was by far a success.

Coordinator Terri Pauken said the event was able to bring in $3,440 this year and rock star Ted Nugent made a brief appearance to drop off some autographed merchandise for auction.

Pauken said the fundraiser exceeded expectations and that she was appreciative of the Elks Lodge for its continued support.

Aside from the numerous raffles and silent auctions, guests filed in to meet the stars of the show: the bloodhounds of Southern Michigan K-9 Search and Rescue.

During brief intermissions Friday, Pauken and her husband, Gale, said the couple and two others started the group eight years ago with one goal in mind: to bring the missing home.

Since then, the group has grown with members based in Kalamazoo, Hillsdale, Coldwater and as far away as Michigan’s Thumb area.

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Over the years, the group has responded to incidents as far away as Ontario, Canada, with an average on-site time of a day in the field.

The group gets together once a month for training, and their dogs go through a lengthy certification process.

They currently have a dog in training to be able to search for human remains, but most of their dogs handle missing person searches.

— Contact Reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @cmurrayHDN.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Fundraiser for Southern Michigan K-9 Search and Rescue a success