53 SAR years experience. 39 years working K9's. 98% accuracy.
Welcome
On call 24/7 to assist in trying to find missing persons and lost pets.
Missing a person or lost pet?
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A professional K9 SAR Dog team on call 24/7.
Our History
FORWARD:
Since 1972, I've responded on behalf of the office of Emergency Management Operations centers as well as the City, State, County, Federal Law enforcement, EMS, Fire agencies.
Also responded on major disasters within the borders of the USA and provide assistance overseas. I work with the Embassy officials from both the US and specific countries involved in disasters and missing persons and lost pets.
Since 1986, I've worked with SAR Dogs in all aspects of SAR. Avalanche, fires, earthquakes, tornados, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, terrorist attacks, transportation accidents. Missing hikers, climbers, skiers, snowboarders, drownings, runaways, missing children, people suffering from mental health issues.
3 year later, I started including requests from private families, friends of the missing as well as law enforcement agencies and Govt agencies such as the DOD.
Blog updates on Google.com also on Twitter com.
I've been teaching all aspects of K9 SAR since 1988. Tracking, trailing, Air scenting, USAR, Wilderness, Water SAR, Forensic Scent evidence. Live/Dead humans/pets.
I'm in charge of International K9 Search and Rescue Services . We have trained contractors, K9 Handlers, SAR dogs teams around the world.
With my 53 years of SAR experience, I often find answers regarding the missing when other SAR teams and law enforcement have failed.
Searching for both missing persons and lost pets. I possess one of the highest documented recovery rates for both missing persons and lost pets in the world. Proving repeatedly, that I'm 100% credible. Also provide accident and death investigations and consulting. Expert Testimony in the courtroom regarding testing, training, certification, in all aspects of SAR and SAR dog work.
We want nothing to do with STATE SAR Standards. Our International K9 SAR Standards are far superior. Our continued success in finding the missing proves this.
A successful team. A little bit of history.
- Scent. My SAR dogs and I have successfully tracked a missing persons scent trail 18 months after he disappeared. Anyone making uneducated statements that "you can't track a missing person's or lost pet scent trail after a week", is uneducated in the art of tracking, trailing and air scenting on scent. I found where the subject died.
- I've also tracked a lost cat a year after she disappeared and found her alive, a mile away in a horse barn in Portland, Oregon.
- My SAR Dog and I found an unmarked buried human grave in St Croix from the late 1800's. She had been buried in an old sugarcane field.
- When a police officer came up missing in St Croix USVI, I was called in on behalf of the Police dept and was able to establish an area of interest in the ocean where my dog alerted, and some human bones were recovered.
- When a young American lady disappeared in Jamaica, it was the US White House that asked me to respond along with the FBI from Miami, Fl. We were able to establish who murdered her and found vital evidence to the crime. I later provided key testimony on our findings in the victim's family lawsuit against the suspect and his employer. This helped them reach a settlement.
- When two girls disappeared in 2002 in Oregon City, (Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis) I and my SAR dog Valorie, along with one of my other dog handler Michelle Keating with her SAR Dog Yogi located the two missing girls remains. On 03-20-2002, I reported our findings to the FBI and OCPD as well to Ashley and Miranda's family.
- The Police / FBI 100% FUBAR this case. We located their remains. Ashley under cement concrete slab behind Ward Weaver's house and Miranda Gaddis in a small shed behind Ward Weaver's house. Wrapped in a card board box and plastic. The small shed also contained 4 no pets strips loaded with dead flys. (there's a clue). .I posted my report publicly to the family and media who gave us full credit for the finds even though the FBI didn't act on our findings until Aug. 24, 2002. (Watch MSNBC Dateline "into thin air" story which exposed the truth). This after the state SAR OSSA teams and FBI teams failed to find their remains in 7 different searches with State and Federally certified SAR dogs teams and the FBI posted publicly on March 30 to the media "they hadn't found anything". We proved the FBI, CPD, and CCSO repeatedly lied to the public in their attempt to cover up the truth. Don't believe me? Just ask Miranda Gaddis and Ashley Pond's parents who found their daughters. Even Ward Weaver himself told police I was 100% accurate in our findings. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11065622 You can also read my search report on our web site.
- These are just some of the over 15,371 SAR call requests to date that I've documented and has held up in the courts of law.
- Missing people - Mental health issues, Suicides, Lost persons -hikers, skiers, snow boarders, hunters. Kidnappings, Adults, children. Runaways. Homicide cases, Mysterious disappearances. Transportation accidents, Accident investigations in the Wilderness. Terrorist Attacks. Grief and Loss assistance. Drownings - Fresh and Salt water. Disasters -Tornados, Floods, Fires, Hurricanes, Tsunamis, Earthquakes. Avalanches-Debris, Sand, Snow, Rock, Ice, Dirt mud slides.
- If a family member or friend is missing, you do not have to wait 24 hours to file a report. Email us at sardogk91@proton.me then text us at 503-705-0258 and say SAR Case pending check email.
- Missing person: When you email me, please give me your name, relationship to the missing person (friend, family member) etc. Home address, city state zip telephone. name of missing person, age, height, weight, clothing description, date last seen, place last seen. Do not call me until the email has been sent. 53 years experience in finding missing persons.
- When searching for a missing person,
first try searching their home and pls (point last seen). Check attics, garages, vehicles, closets, sheds, surrounding areas. Don't forget to check jails, local hospitals, morgues, homeless shelters for any john or jane does matching their description. Never take law enforcements word that it's been done. Do it yourself.
Next have their cell phone pinged for the last use and location. Even burner phones can be pinged. Pull their text files, email files, search engines, chat rooms, establish if this is a willful disappearance, foul play, or accident. Check home and business security cameras in the area.
If the person has medical issues or is under the age of 18 you do not have to wait 48 hours to call the police.
If you still can't find them then email me and I'll see what I can do to help.
05-18-2024 I.K.9.S.A.R.S. again was successful in finding a missing person. On 05-09-2024 Mr Shu Riley disappeared from his motel room in Kelso, Wa. His family hired me with my SAR Dogs Cindy Lou and Max. We tracked Mr Riley's scent trail into the Coweeman River. On 05-18-2024 Mr Riley's remain were recovered by Kelso PD exactly where Harry marked the scent location on 05-12-2024. Water FIND # 138.
FEES: SAR Is not free. Travel, meals, lodging, equipment, working in the field, insurance, SAR Dogs medical, dental, food, equipment, training and testing costs $$$. SAR agencies Law Enforcement, US Coast Guard, US Military, FEMA, National Park Service, Park Rangers all get paid through your tax dollars and often aren't successfull.
CONSULTING: For a missing person's consult case I charge $25.00 this is a one-time fee and is good until the person is found.
For a missing pet consult I charge $20.00 and this is good until the pet has been found. I have a 90% success rate on consults for pets.
Search & Rescue Fees. I charge $25.00 per hour driving time each way from Longview, Washington to the search area and back.
Add the cost of Fuel, Meals, Motel (if needed).
$200.00 per hour for actual searching. 98% of my searches last 1 hour or less. (Example) Search in Portland, Ore. 2 hours driving time $50.00
Fuel $30.00 Meals $ 25.00 Search time $200.00 Report writing post search $25.00 total deposit required will be $330.00 or paid upon our arrival.
Each client will receive a contract for services agreement before the search. This explains in detail what I can and can't for them, how much the cost will be. This protects the client as well as me and my search team(s). I haven't raised my prices for 29 years.
Protecting myself and my clients through contracts. Unlike other SAR groups and private pet detectives (Which we are not pet detectives and want nothing to do with them). We protect all of my clients from SCAMS and scammers. Every client receives a contract before the search, that explains in detail what we can and can't do for them and how much we're going to charge them for our professional services. They know before hiring us, what to expect before, during, and after the search efforts.
The client also receives a complete report which shows our findings and thoughts on how to proceed.
CREDIBILITY. I treat everyone the way I would want to be treated.
Sadly being a public figure, I've developed some Trolls AKA "Harry Haters" out there. These folks feel it's ok to Badmouth me and my work to make their organizations and SAR teams look better than they really are.
They go on craigslist, myspace, facebook, Yelp, Google, and make FALSE slanderous statements. They also do a lot of name calling. I've dealt with them through my attorney. I also have filed a complaint with the Oregon and Washington Dept of Justice for their repeated harassment, and online bullying. It's against the law to harass or bully anyone online using computers and online communications as well as interfere with a professonal contracting service.
Any time you hear or read someone making bad remarks about me or my work, do two things. Copy and paste this and share it on the page where they are making their remarks. Then copy their statements and send me a copy for my records please.
Thanks harry
Here's some comments and my response.
Any time someone is missing and my name is mentioned the Harry Haters aka trolls come on board and spread their BS. The only HONEST Comment I saw in all of these were from two SAR folks but again they only gave a one sided view.
The first was from Jerry. His statement that he "doubted any sheriff in Oregon would use me" is a true statement. But what he should have added in all fairness is why?
History Remember I cofounded the K9 program in 1986 while a member of Portland Mountain Rescue. I had been involved in volunteer SAR since 1972 through Mult. Co. Sheriff's office as a cadet explorer with post 900 and we assisted post 631 (SAR) on several searches. (where I learned at age 16 how to work SAR as a volunteer). Through out my 53 years in SAR in civilian and US Army MAST Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic. I learned how to work SAR the right way. (effective).
As a member of the SAR Community, I was called up on the 1986 OES accident and was a team leader for PMR (Portland Mountain Rescue) on day # 2 and 3 of the search on Mt Hood. It was because of the loss of life on this case, that myself and another rescue climber started the SAR Dog program for the state of Oregon. We got trained by Rocky Mountain Rescue dogs and took it from there. Documenting hundreds of success cases in Oregon and Washington and around the world on disaster cases.
As I've written on my facebook page in the past, I'll remind folks here. In 1997 I ended up testifying against the State of Oregon Sheriff's Association (OSSA) who manages SAR in Oregon after they tried to cover up the deaths of two innocent children. Nathan Madsen and Derrick Engelbretson. Both who died in Klamath co. and we ended up coming in privately on behalf of the family and finding Nathan's remains in the original search area where the sheriff had refused SAR dogs for 9 months and over 2,000 volunteers failed to find his remains less than 2 miles away in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness area. It took my teams less than 16 hours of searching to find his remains. This can be verified by the Oregon State Police report.
Derrick Englebretson. When Derrick disappered near Pelican Butte, Ore. While christmas tree hunting with his family he became lost. After the sheriff did their usual crappy search and called off their efforts, I was called in privately. I tracked his footprints (with his family along to witness) up Pelican butte where he spent the night under a log then hiked down the south side and fell through the ice and died. His remains have never been recovered yet.
This sheriff had a duty to act and protect these kids using all resources. I tried to get the District Attorney to file criminal charges for manslaughter against the sheriff because in my professional opinion the sheriff could have brought us in, we would have located both alive the first night and saved their lives. The Da refused to charge the sheriff.
But because he (the sheriff refused SAR dogs) he killed these kids just if he had pulled out his revolver and shot them. They never had a chance because of the poor choices the sheriff made. I ended up testifying on HB 3093 in the Oregon legislature. I was told by Clackamas Co. Sheriff's office and Douglas Co. Sheriff's office and members of the OSSA, that ,”if I testified I would never be used in Oregon again”. I did the right thing and told the truth.
The kids' families also testified as did the Oregon State police, Oregon Fire fighters association, and Oregon mountain rescue council. We got the laws changed so now the sheriff's are required to use all available resources to include SAR dogs, man trackers, flir systems, etc.
Let's view Cari's ignorant statement "That i'm a scam artist and that I tried in put myself into the kyron Horman search when he disappeared”. If Cari had done her homework she would have found from 1986 to 1997 I was the "GO TO GUY (Searcher) on behalf of the National Missing Children's Locate Center based in Portland Oregon. Steven Jenchivice and Marilyn Mann managed the center. I had a 100% SUCCESS RATE on finding the runaways and kidnapped children.
Keri and Cari need to use some common sense. If I was a scam artist I would have been shut down 53 years ago. I'm openly asking Cari and anyone else who bad mouths me, “to supply all of us readers one single piece of documentation to support her slanderous statement that is factual and will hold up in a court of law”. It can't be hearsay “Well I heard this” It must be a factual documented piece of evidence that shows I've lied, misled, stated something I never did, or broken the law.
I'm an expert in the courts of law regarding SAR, SAR Dogs, Scent Evidence, Death investigations,. I never would have been made an expert to testify on murder and kidnapping trials by any District Attorney, Judge, law enforcement agency, if I was a scammer.
They do an extensive background check, review of search logs, reports, diagrams, files and findings before giving anyone this status. Also know that Kyron's birth mother is married to a detective in Southern Oregon and that's why they didn't want me involved because I testified against the sheriff down there. It was Kyrons aunt who hired me after everyone failed to find anything because she was sick of the BS and politics.
So before you spout lies, get your facts straight.
Let's talk now about melissa's statement about paying someone to search for someone. Melissa are you that ignorant? The FBI, State police, Sheriff's who manage the search, US Coast Guard, Navy, Army and Marine Corps, FEMA Staff, National park, and US Forest Service staff area all paid. So putting me down because I'm a paid professional contractor is pathetic. You honestly believe the sheriff would be out there if she/he wasn't paid for working? Let's get real. That's their job.
Now let's talk about your Certified Teams. Where is the missing child we're talking about? Did your certified SAR Dogs track his scent from the house to the river? Then why aren't the SAR dogs in the boats out on the river finding his remains for the dive teams?
If the certified SAR dogs tracked his scent to the woods, where is he? Why haven't your certified teams found him? You're telling me your certified teams can't catch up to a little two year old child in a three day / night search? If your teams tracked him to a roadway where he got kidnapped, then that would explain why the FBI is called in and out doing their job. If that's the case why are the sar teams in the woods and water? Don't you folks have confidence in your certified sar teams and sar dogs?
You forget I do this as a paid contractor all around the world for a LIVING. Mountain, Desert, Urban, Water, Jungle. I've been there and done that. Over 15,300 calls to date. Many cases I solve by looking at a map and talking with the sheriff -military- family, and building up a missing person's profile and telling them where to search. 80% of my calls I never have to leave my office. Yes I'm that good.
Have I been wrong. Yes I sure have out of 15,300 calls I've been wrong on two (2) missing persons calls Do the math 2 divided by 15,300.....
So before putting someone down do your homework. I've been audited by the IRS the Dept of Justice and found to be 100% truthful in all I say and do and it was the Ore. DOJ who was tired of the OSSA b.s complaints and turned me into a professional contractor so the sheriff's have no say in what I do as long as I obey the laws and don't interfere with their searches. They also are not allowed to ever interfere with mine. I've passed polygraphs, and spent my own money to travel to searches around the world to find victims in disasters. I've never seen any of the harry hater trolls working by my side on any of these searches.
I'll put our internationally certified SAR dog teams/handlers up against your state teams any day. If you were so good I wouldn't have a job.
One last statement that I've been saying for over 53 years. I've been able to produce facts and statements and reports that have held up in a court of law as evidence.
Not one of the "Harry hater trolls" have been able in 53 years to produce one SINGLE Piece of documentation that I've done something wrong, illegal, immoral, or didn't do something I've said I've done. That will hold up as evidence in a court of law.
Now who is the scammer? Not me.
See below for just of few of my success stories over the last 39 years working K9. Polk Co. Ore. Jay Burroughs Polk Co SO called me in we found his remains in less than 5 minutes. (this after their local sar teams failed to find him).
Klamath Co. Ore. 12 yo Nathen Madsen went missing in Klamath Co. Ore. While on a round up, the sheriff refused SAR Dogs, brought in over 2,000 ground teams and horse posse folks along with helicopters and after 9 months failed to find him. It took me less than 16 hours with my teams to locate his remains in the original search area.
Douglas Co. Ore. Child Tommy Gibson reported missing by his father (Deputy Larry Gibson DCSO. I went in with OSP and found where larry killed his son and fabricated his disappearance. Larry convicted.
Clark Co. Wa. Brian Harris. We found him DOA in search area in less then 15 minutes. Supervised body recovery.
Clatsop Co. Ore. David Wahl Cannon Beach, Oregon. I found the location of his remains in 10 minutes and determined who killed him and where. Case turned over to OSP. Multnomah Co. Ore. Lost Child. Jessica Nicole Clark I found her remains under the dock in Willamette river. Sheriff ignored my findings. She popped out in front of a bunch of kids the next day right where I said she was.
Linn Co. Ore. Missing Child. Elijah Kelt Age 4. Sheriff refused my offer to help. They search for him for 3 days with dogs and helicopter and ground teams. Couldn't find him. Family called me in privately. We found his remains in the original search area in 20 minutes.
Darke Co. Ohio. Missing child Lynn Topp My SAR Dog and I found her remains buried on a farm under 15 feet of debris. Identified the suspect.
Klamath Co. Ore. Derrick Engebretson Pelican Butte. We tracked him privately for the family. His remains lost in the frozen marsh. Body never recovered. Found his tracks and where he broke through the ice.
Clackamas Co. Ore. 2002 Ward Weaver murder case Ashley Pond Miranda Gaddis. Located both girls remains on 03-20. 2002. This after the FBI and OCPD searches with SAR dogs and ground teams 7 different times and couldn't find them. I wsa called in privately and the FBI and OCPD ignored my findings and report until I had a senator from Oregon force the FBI to go back onto Wards property and dig up the remains five months later. Even the suspect admitted I was 100% correct.
Marion Co. Ore. Missing 15 yo. Scott Spansel Jr. Wallace Marine Park. Salem, Ore. I found victim dead in pond in park. Body surfaced in front of mother three inches from my flagging where I told police where he was. Police ignored my report until body surfaced. Clack. Co. Ore. Drowning Clack River 6 yo Vinesa Snegur. 7 miles from Ripplebrook RS near Austin Hot Springs. Our SAR Dogs located location of victim’s remains. Family on scene. Victim’s remains recovered.
Mult. Co. Mult falls Ore. Paul Edward Disbury We located his remains after ground teams and search dogs failed to find him. MCSO refused recover his remains for 3 months until park rangers complained of the smell. Upper falls pool.
Lincoln co. Ore. Depoe Bay Katharine Olivia Roe Team: H. Oakes. Results: Body recovered. We were 100% accurate in our track. Here the whole town paid for me to respond and find what happened to her.
Pierce Co. Missing male subject. “reported missing by his wife on Sunday after he left a party Saturday night and hadn't been seen since. The man's mother hired me to start a search for him. His son found out that I was coming in to search for his father and drove to the police department (Tacoma PD) and confessed to detectives stating “ I heard Harry Oakes and his sar dogs were coming in. I researched him on the internet and knew he would find my dad dead in our back yard under the compost pile where my mom and I buried him after we killed him”.
Court Cases: Testified 09-02-95 Clark Co. Washington. Sheriff’s Dept. DEM#95-1217 Martha, Michael and Crystal Beeson Vancouver, WA. During suspect’s trial, the Clark Co. DA's office qualified me as an expert witness through my training, testing, and qualifications. I testified about scent evidence, our tracks of each subject, and drew a diagram of the route the suspect took with each victim. During a 10-minute recess, the suspect returned and stopped the trial and entered a plea of guilty on all charges. The D.A.'s office said that's the first time they've seen this happen in 10 years. (Search Warrant issued on this case based on the search dog’s findings). Our search dogs were 100% correct. 09-11-2011 Karen Glacier Homicide Medford, Ore. Testified Carolyn Kallay Homicide Clark Co. WA. 95-599-196 11-18-95 Clark Co. (Suspect Convicted). Testified: 05-01-2014 Wrongful death lawsuit expert witness request. Attorney Kevin Hoffman, Tracy Garcia Singer legal.net I testified as Expert Witness regarding Scent, scent evidence, Dog behavior, cold weather death. Virginia. Sally J. Ramsey (Victim). 49, of Hague (Helped Attorneys win a $8,000.000.00-dollar judgment against defendant). Testified 2014 Washington Co. Hillsboro, Oregon re Stolen Dog case against a vet clinic. Case Prep Oct. 2016 Thurston Co. WA. State of Washington Vs. Mr. Clemens. Client for attorney Chris Van Vechten Attorney at Law The Law Office of Chris Van Vechten (DA’s office offered Mr. Clemens a plea bargain after reviewing my testimony).
Harry Oakes
K9 SAR Coordinator
www.k9sardog.com
Something to think about. When a police officer fails to make an arrest does this make him/her a fraud? Is he /s she now a scammer? When a doctor fails to save a patient does this make him/her a scam artist? When a fireman/woman fails to save a life does this make him/her not qualified to do their job? So why do the Harry Haters AKA trolls think it's ok to perform the Name calling?
The answer to each of these questions is, "NO, of course not.
If I don't find a missing person or pet, it's no different.
In my CONTRACTS that everyone is given before we respond, it states "there are no guarantees of success and there are no refunds". Review my success in SAR. It speaks for itself.
Folks who charge for services are not scammers.
Charging for SAR services.
The National Park, FEMA, US Military, Law Enforcement all charge for SAR. 40 states in the USA also can charge for their SAR Services. This doesn't make them any more or less credible in their job. My credibility has been documented repeatedly in the courtroom where it counts when I testify as an expert witness.
Not once have I ever seen any one of the haters aka trolls standing by my side working a search, recovering a dead body, working throughout the night risking their lives, paying their own money to help others in their time of need. I've been there and done that.
Enough said on these folks. AKA Idiot trolls.
In SAR if you find one person you are considered a success.
For 53 years I've documented thousands of success cases.
Respectfully Mr. Harry E. Oakes Jr. K9 SAR Coordinator/International Instructor/ Consultant.
When / if the Federal, State, County, City law enforcement can't find the missing, this is where we come in. With over 53 years experience, I often find the victim or determine what happened, and where. This when others have failed. My credibility is 100% in the courtroom where it counts.
POLICE- Does your department have any cold cases you need help with? I've helped solve several cold cases by reviewing reports, photographs. I'll review your case for FREE.
- Missing Persons, missing pets, and evidence cases.
- Over 4,910 successful documented finds and assisted finds, around the world.
Because I'm successful, I've developed a large following. Most are former clients and friends of clients where I've been successful in helping their families find closure.
Proof.
In my 53 years of working SAR around the world, my success has been documented by State, City, Federal, and County law enforcement agencies and other agencies such as the FBI, DOJ, IRS, CIA, DOD.
The Oregon Dept of Justice oversees my contracts, reports, work ethics, and it was the Oreg. DOJ who turned my all volunteer SAR Dog Organization into a professional FOR PROFIT contracting business so that the Sheriff's department can't pull their BS anymore and lie to the victim's families. My K9 teams have been very successful over the last 39 years.
If I was dishonest or a Scammer in any way, I would have been shut down 39 years ago.
Every one of my successful cases have been validated and verified. The credibility comes in the courtroom, not on social media such as facebook, Twitter, or Yelp where people who are jealous of my success can post what ever BS statements they want to make themselves look better.
I have over 15,371 case requests with thousands of positive references from people I've helped over the years.
My credibility has stood the test of time (53 years) and will continue to do so. Remember there are always two sides to every story.
When a pet or person goes missing.
Please email us at sardogk91@proton.me then text us at 503-705-0258 and say "Search pending check email". We can help you by consulting or by performing a search. We can determine what has happened, (picked up, where, killed by predator, where, in someone's home, where etc.). Keep a journal of your search efforts. Who, what, when, why, where, how, keep facts straight. www.k9sardog.com 39 years of finding missing person and lost pets.
PLEASE Don't call us until the email has been sent. You must leave a voice mail message. (Missing persons or lost pet ) We'll need to know your name, home address, city state zip code telephone # and all the info on your missing family member. If it's a pet. Name, age, breed, sex, color(s), ID? date last seen. Also provide Consulting on missing person and lost pet cases. Cost is $20.00 dollars with an 90% success rate.
I strongly recommend people don't use other Lost pet detectives or K9 SAR teams unless they provide you with a contract. I've heard nothing but complaints from folks who have been taken advantage off from SAR dog teams who search for pets or missing persons and have failed to provide a contract. There's one up North in around Seattle, Wa. that represents himself as a Non-profit with his web site, when in fact he is a for- profit business registered with the state of Washington.
He also refuses to provide contracts to his clients to protect them.
AWARDS
I've won numerous local, state, and national awards for my work.
National Jefferson Award - YouTube
Higgens and Langley Swift Water Rescue award.
Numerous Lifesaving awards.
SAR Dogs saved handicapped Boston terrier - YouTube Night search
Harry Oakes - YouTube Honduras Part# 1.
Harry Oakes - YouTube Honduras Part# 2.
News footage - YouTube Joey Lefler Save
Water find yam hill river jade Vincent's remains - YouTube
Case reviews:
13,331-065(A). 05-12-2024 Kelso, Wa. Missing person. Shun Riley 35 BMA Last seen running around Three Rivers Drive Manasco Dr. 05-09-2024 0240hrs. No history drugs, no mental illness. Team: H. Oakes. SAR Dog Cindy Lou K-9-1. SAR Dog Max K-9-1A. Results:SAR Dogs tracked his scent trail to bike patch/ walk path along Coweeman River trail. Dogs alerted there in river 200 yards from where he entered the foot path. His remains recovered 20 feet from my marking ribbon.
'
13,345-079(C). 06-04-2024 re 05-29-2024 Missing person
Mark Herman Missing 5/11/24 WMA 5’7 150 lbs Dark grew T-shirt Red terry cloth shorts Grey flip flops with socks. PLS 5th ave SW Seattle WA
Team: H. Oakes SAR Dog Cindy Lou K-9-1. SAR dog Max K-9-1A.
Results: Dogs tracked him to back yard briars found him dead 1215hrs. Called 911. KCSO responded. Body was recovered 1430hrs.
Thousands of cases and success stories on file.
Bringing closure is our business
- With actual searches, I have a 98% accuracy rate of either finding the missing person or lost pet or finding out what happened to them and where. (Example) Got into a vehicle at a specific location. Entered a water source at a specific location. Traveling North from..... Also provide police reports and Expert court room testimony regarding scent, scent evidence, SAR, SAR Dogs, crime scenes.
A brief RESUME.
International K9 Search and Rescue Services
Office of Emergency Management Longview, Washington 98632 USA. Mobile: 503-705-0258 Email: sardogk91@proton.me www.k9sardog.com Harry Oakes SAR Stats June 1972 –12-16-2024.
BACKGROUND SAR RESUME Harry Oakes started in SAR, May 1972 - 1974 with Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office with MCSO LE Post# 900 / 631. Portland, Ore. 03-228-74 Graduated adult 310 Hr BPST Academy. #9863.
Sept. 1974- Sept. 1977 US Army Military Police assisted in MAST Medical’s. Military SAR Ops. and Mountain Rescue overseas. 7th Division MP Co. and 165th MP Company.
Oct. 77 - Jan.78 UOHSC Police Officer Commissioned 90-day temp traffic position.
Feb. – June 78 Drain P.D. & Ambulance EMT.
July 78 Aug 79 Eastside City PD. Co Instructor Police officer Survival and Self Defense. Oregon Police Academy.
Sept. 79- March 1980. Morrow County Sheriff’s Office in Heppner, Oregon. Sheriff’ SAR Coordinator, instructor, and EMT.
1982-1984 Washington Co. Sheriff’s office Hillsboro Ore. Paid reserve deputy and B.P.S.T. training instructor for PR-24 and Defensive tactics. 1987-1990. Unpaid volunteer Clark Co. K-9 Sheriff’s office advisor, K9 SAR Coordinator, Sheriff Kanakoa.
1980-1996 Volunteer back country Ski patrol. Mt Hood, Ore. Mt St Helens, WA.
1986 Active member / instructor with Portland Mountain Rescue and co-founded the search dog program Oregon D.O.G.S. for the state of Oregon in 1986.
1986 - 1997 Harry co-founded the Nonprofit K9 SAR team of Oregon D.O.G.S. (Dogs Organized for Ground Search and Rescue).
1987 -1997 Founded the NONPROFIT Mountain Wilderness Search Dogs. (All Volunteer). Trained over 65 volunteer K9 teams in Oregon and assisted in teaching the Sitka SAR Dog teams.
1997 to Current. Harry founded the for-profit professional International K9 Search and Rescue Services. www.k9sardog.com Also trained SAR Dog teams in Ireland, Africa, St Croix USVI, Honduras, Philippines, and through out the USA, Canada, and Alaska.
25 Years Instructor/Advisor/Volunteer for American Red Cross Disaster Team. Portland, Ore. and Longview, Wa. Responding to Floods, Fires, with Grief therapy dogs.
38 years operating a Private Pet Ambulance.
AWARDS / Recognition Letters for Volunteer and Paid work done in SAR. 02-27-74 Letter in (life-saving award) Multnomah Co. Sheriff Purcell). March 28-74 Multnomah Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Graduate certificate BPST academy.
12-20-1974 Fort Gordon, GA Graduated US Army Military Police Academy. 8-01-76 US Army Military Police Excellence Award. 7 th Division Commander. Fort Ord, Ca.
June 4-77 EMT Basic City Colleges of Chicago. Via 165th MP Co. Fischbach Germany.
1978 Oregon Peace Officer Association letter in. Member of OSSA and OPOA shooting team.
1979 Morrow Co. Sheriff’s office letter in Life saving awards. #1 Pulling 17 year old out of a burning car. #2. Coordinating and working to rescue injured elk hunter who was shot, during a major winter storm. July 81 State of Oregon EMT 2 Airway IV tech certification.
Nov. 21, 83 Letter in re my work in Law enforcement for Washington Co. Sheriff’s office. Lt Jim Spinden.
Nov. 83 Letter In Volunteer SAR award. President R. Regan.
May 1986 OES climbing accident. Team leader D#2 and #3 Mt Hood. PMR.
Nov. 87 Chief Knori Gresham PD Letter in for SAR dog work regarding homicide.
12/87 Christine Miles Back country rescue Mt Hood recognition letter. May 1988 Skamania County Dept of Emergency Management Letter in re: Documented find Anita Merrel suicide by drowning Case.
03-89 National Jefferson Award winner.
04-89 Sheriff R Steele Polk Co. Letter in. Successful work in SAR.
04-90 Chief Johnson Battleground PD. Letter in for assistance in finding missing person.
07-07-90 90-012 Chemult, Ore. Private Search for missing 9 year old on a pony lost
Oct. of 89. Sheriff of Klamath Co. Nathan Madsen. I coordinated search that found his remains.
12-90 T. Bradshaw letter in from Clark Co. Regional Office of Emergency Management for SAR work. Brian Harris remains located Clark Co. Wa.
1990 Oregon Pet Hall of Fame for SAR Dog Ranger.
05-22-91 91-015 Douglas Co. Deputy Larry Gibson murdered his Tommy. We were able to prove it with the SAR dog.
July 1990 Letter in President Aquino Philippines for work in Philippine Quake. Finding 25 dead victims and helping treat over 300 injured. July 91 Battleground PD Chief Johnson for SAR work.
Aug. 92 Gov. Roberts State of Oregon letter in for SAR work.
Jan 10, 92 President G Bush for Golden Rule award for SAR work. Nov. 1992 Tualatin PD Letter of Re in for instructing Survival and Preparedness.
04-1993 Polk Co. Sheriff’s office Sheriff R Steele Letter in for successful SAR work.
06-22-93 93-226-018 Missing Hiker-Hoskins-West Side of Mt. Angelas. Olympic National Forest. Missing x 13 days. Ranger & I flew into sight by helo. We found him in less than 20 minutes on scene. West Side. He had fallen 350' over a cliff to his death. Air scented to his location by helicopter.
12-93 Chief Harper Dallas Police Dept. Lifesaving letter re Angelia Bush save.
1993 President Bill Clinton, Letter in re; National volunteer award for SAR work.
Jan 7 1994 Northridge quake. Responded and worked assigned areas. 1994 Mazamas and USFS Letters in for instructing basic climbing class.
1994 US Coast Guard Letter in for Water Rescue work.
04-25-1994 Letter in Clatsop Co. case Dela Carlson finding remains. 09-27-28-94 94-359-096 Homicide x 2 . Carlson case Clark Co. Battle Ground Wash. SAR Dogs Ranger and Shadow located where victims were killed and id suspect and how he transported victims out of the area. 94-391-128
Body Recovery Class 5 water Wind River Sk.Co. Died from Hypothermia. "Dave" Victim.
04-95 Sheriff Lucas Clark Co. Sheriff’s office. Letter in for SAR work. 04-06-89 89-005 Polk Co. Ore. "Jay Burroughs"-Homicide-Pee Dee,Ore. Victim missing 45 days. MWSD Teams Located victims buried in dirt and debris pile and vital evidence to id suspect.
April 1995 letters of thank you in from Fire Dept. and Mayors office regarding Oklahoma City bombing search efforts for human remains from the bombing and grief therapy at hospital for surviving victims of the bombing. June 1995 letter in from Mayor Norik Oklahoma City re our work in the bombing search efforts.
Oct. 1995 Camas Police Chief letter in for finding Billy Talent’s remains Washugal river.
95-541-137 09-02-95 Clark Co. Washington. Clark Co. Sheriffs Dept. Kidnap case. DEM#95-1217 Martha, Michael and Crystal Beeson Kidnapped from 72ave. Vanc. Wash. NOTE: We did find crucial evidence that assisted CCSO in identifying suspect and capturing him and getting the family back safe. The suspect later stood up in the courtroom after I got done testifying and said to the judge” Your honor (suspect pointing at me) he’s 100% correct in his findings with the search dog). Conviction.
1996 Fema certificate in.
05-30-96 96-730-087. David Wahl Cannon Beach, Oregon. I located his remains and turned case over to OSP. Obtained conviction on suspect (girlfriend) who murdered him.
08-26-96 –08-31-2013. 96-821-177 Deschutes Co. Bend, Ore. Skeleton Fire Support Mission. Humane Society of Central Oregon. Ref: Missing animals and livestock from fire. Grief Therapy and found 27 pets, 12 dead, remaining alive.
Jan 1997 Ridgefield PD letter in re: Brian Raff documented drowning water find.
1997 Linn Co. Recognition article regarding my finding Elijah Kelt’s remains with SAR dogs in water.
1997 Letter in re Abe Ellis Search. We tracked and located his remains in Willamette River. Multnomah co. Sheriff’s river patrol witnessed find.
08-10-97 97-1056-133. Mult. Co. Ore. Lost Child. Jessica Nicole Clark, (Victim). WFJ. age 4 Sellwood Riverfront Park Child’s remains surfaced the next day right where we told the police and fire dept and family where she was on 08-10-97.
Sept 97 Oregon Humane Society letter in for assistance in helping find missing dog Haas.
12-11-97 97-1127-204. Wash. Co. Ore. Missing Person. Saffa M. Nasir. I identified with my SAR dog where he was murdered and who killed him. Suspect later convicted from our evidence found.
Oak Harbor Police Dept. Thank you letter for assistance on Deb. Palmer case. Kidnapping homicide case.
July 1998 Letter in From Mrs. Mary Kuhn regarding my work in finding and saving her daughter’s life as well as four other children, after they were kidnapped and transported to Mexico for the sex trade industry.
1998 Darke Co. Ohio Letter in for finding Lynn Topp kidnap murder victim. Buried on a pig farm. Sheriff Toby Spencer witnessed my search and finding of body location.
1998 Tegucigalpa, Honduras after Hurricane Mitch struck. Letter in from Fire Dept. and President Carlos Flores for our successful We located over 25 victims there. Harry Oakes SAR Dog Valorie Michelle Keating SAR dog Yogi.
1999 Both of the Earthquakes Turkey letters in from SAR teams for my successful finds work there. Locating over 71 victims dead and 14 alive.
2000 Jamaican Government worked with the Miami office of the FBI on the Claudia Kirschhoch case. Successful finding of vital evidence and identified suspect.
04-2001 Letter in from former Senator and attorney Charles Ringo regarding me being found NOT GUILTY of any wrongdoing in the Oregon DOJ audit and investigation.
March 2002 Ward Weaver Murder case. We located Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis FBI/OCPD/CCSO FUBARed this search. Unsolved2@aol.com and family along with other media gave us full credit for finding their remains.
12-20-2002 SAR Dog Valorie and Handler Harry Oakes flew to the Dominican Republic and located what happened to missing 18-year-old American missionary Sean Stover in the Bay of Eagles.
11-04-2000 2000-1737-199. Minnesota. Missing persons cases. ARPIL GEYER Rose Forcum. Found victims location and evidence.
09-11-2001 2001-1964-194. New York World Trade Center Towers Terrorist Explosions. Worked w/ Mayor’s office. Sent equipment in as needed. Consultant teams to rescue animals trapped in the restricted zones.
2004-3179-154. St Croix US VI. Body Recovery (old human bones) Worked SAR Dog Valorie on actual cadaver area search. Hwy 70 near 707. Unearthed soccer field. Located death site of a human and some bone fragments. All items diagramed, photographed. Took Bones to Gov. Juan Luis Hospital pathologist. He confirmed they were human bones. Turned over to police. Bones later identified as being from an old slave grave buried in the late 1800’s.
02-27-05 5-3405-063. Pierce Co. Wa. S.O. Drownings x 2. Lake Kapowsin Thomas Johnson age 26. Kenneth Brisby, 26 Located both subjects. Family and Pierce Co. S.O. Advised.
06-21-05 2005-3520-176. Found victim dead in pond in park. See reports. Body surfaced in front of mother three inches from my flagging where I told police where he was. SPD lied to media regarding the find. Mother and Dog handler Russell witnessed my finding the remains location. 06-09-09
2009-6129-489. Lost person Polk Co. Ore. Missing person Dustin Gibson age 67 106 Lee and Wiley witnessed both dogs alerting Cougar Creek drainage. Lee’s team located victim doa right where our search dogs said he was.
2011-6846-150. 5-31-2011 Joplin, MO. Tornado. Checked in with EOC. Signed waivers, given assignments. Grief therapy with several police officers and searched assigned areas.
2013-7520-015. 01-5-2013 Mult. Co. Ore. Missing person Paul Edward Disbury located his remains in upper pool area Mult. Falls. Family and MCSO / Sherwood PD Advised. (Body later recovered by MCSO 3 months later where we located it in Jan. 2013).
2013-7534-029. 01-17-2013 Drowning PORTLAND, Ore. Missing: Steven Wright Gifford,59 Rocky Point Marina Body recovered where my search dogs alerted at.
2013-7534-029. 2014-2013 RE: 01-17-2013 Drowning PORTLAND, Ore. Missing: Steven Wright Gifford, 59, Mr. Gifford recovered a few feet from where Willow and Tyler alerted on 02-04-2013. Jen the Mgr witnessed the alerts.
2013-7862-359(A). 08-29-2013 Missing person Oly, Wa. Jan Benedict Nielson. Harry Oakes with his two search dogs Willow and Tyler tracked 25 miles to where we located his remains 99 Se near 92 nd court Thurston co sheriffs dept responded To assist in the investigation. 2014-9069-133.
03-27-2014 Oso, Wa. Land/mud slide. Teams: H. Oakes SAR Dogs Willow and Tyler responded after obtaining permission to enter the search area via FEMA Arlington. Did search for assigned area. 2014-9089-152.
04-05-2014 Drowning suicide. Hermiston, Ore. Alvin Lee Paterson DLS 03-30-2014. We were 100% correct. His remains later recovered in river.
2014-9397-457(A). 09-08-204 Drowning Mayfield Lake, Wa. RP: 51-year-old Winlock Terri f/ Texas. at Ike Kinswa State Park. Located subj. 30 feet out and 95 feet down in lake. Marked location. His parents, sister, brother witnessed the finding. Body recovered.
2015-9942-372(B) 2015-13-2015 Portland, Ore. Missing person. 37-YR-OLD WOMAN IN LINNTON AREA Lisa Jane Wright St. John's Bridge area. Dogs indicate she’s dead in river off bridge. Body floated up right where my dogs said she was.
2018-11,405-223(C). 07-19-2018 Dog Drowning Cowltiz River, Wa. Marie (owner bill cook “Shilo female 13 yo 70lbs.. Ethel bar 1-1/2 miles up river blue creek boat launch Trout hatchery. Team; H. Oakes SAR Coordinator SAR Team. C. Williams. SAR Dog Cedar. Results: Found dog dead in river 300 yards downstream.
2020-12,197-297(B). 09-22-2020 Missing person Astoria, Ore. Re; Mike Konecny, a missing person, last seen in Astoria Oregon. Mike was last seen alongside the road near the Lewis and Clark draw bridge on Alternate Highway 101 Air scented to where teams located him dead by suicide.
2021-12,325-006(A). 01-05-2021 Monmouth, Ore. Lost blind dog. M Moss Olmsted 5205 Dunn Forest Road, Monmouth, Oregon in Polk County blind Parson Russell Terrier. Kassie She is 14 yo 15 lbs. Dogs tracked down hillside to pond gave death alerts Dogs correct. Body recovered by family in pond on 01-05-2021.
2021-392-074(C). 03-31-2021 Missing person Grays Harbor, Wa. RP: Bruce re Sabrina lynn Cole. Wash. BPX 4786. Oakville Boat Ramp# 2. body recovered where my dogs alerted. 04-05-2021 by GHSO. 2012-12,521-202(A). 07-25-2021 Missing Person Clark Co. Wa. RP: re Blaze Nemeth missing f/ Who’s Song and Larry’s Vanc. Wa. along col. River. Dogs tracked right to river. Worked west along river to Boise Place. Body recovered 20 yards from where dogs alerted.
2022-12,663-009(A).
01-09-2022 Lost dog Mud slide Seattle, Wa. RP:Jill Lers Bozzy Didi and James 2400 Perkins Lane Seattle, Wal DLS Fri. Live find.
11-15-04 2004-3243-243(E). Clark. Co. Wash. Carolyn Killaby Search. Team: H. Oakes SAR Dog Valorie K-9-1. M. Keating SAR Dog Yogi K-9-2. Results; Found some human remains. (Victim’s hair).
Jade Venson Recovery and murder suspect id in Yamhill Co. Ore. By Harry Oakes and SAR dogs. Numerous other documented finds live and dead on file.
Here's the breakdown of Harry’s SAR Calls. All documented, and all accepted in the courts of law. Reviewed and verified by the Oregon Department of Justice, The FBI, and IRS, as well as independent auditors. Since 1972, I've received over 15,371 SAR call requests around the world. This is for missing persons, lost pets, evidence, Pet Assisted Grief Therapy calls, SAR dog and team consults, training, and suspect id. This also includes consult cases. (Does not include SAR Dog Training Requests). 5,600 Requests have been for Missing persons cases. 9,771 Cases have been for Evidence, Articles, Pet Assisted Therapy, SAR dog training, SAR Team cases, and lost pet cases. Out of the 15,371 cases, 4,597 Advisor/Consultant to other SAR teams ref: Instructor All aspects of Search and Rescue, missing persons, Pet Assisted Therapy, and lost pet cases. Documented through State, City, Federal Law Enforcement agencies, government agencies, and private family requests. Documented 229 Direct live Finds of missing persons. This means I’ve located 229 persons alive during my active searches. 389 Assisted Live Finds of Missing persons. I've assisted the Law Enforcement, Government agencies, and private families through consulting and our search efforts. What this means is that various LE Agencies, private families, attorneys, and government agencies have turned to my SAR expertise, SAR coordination skills, and ability to read air currents, search dogs alerts, scent and scent evidence and I was able to direct search teams to a particular area based on my 52 years of SAR Expertise, which helped them find the missing person(s) alive in the areas I directed them to. Totals; 618 LIVE finds Directly and Assisted indirectly of missing persons. Totals: 505 DIRECT DEAD Finds of Missing persons. 409 Assisted Dead Finds of missing persons. I've assisted the LE and Govt. and private families in finding victims indirectly with my search dogs leading LE and private family members to specific locations. What this means is that various LE Agencies, private families, and government agencies have turned to my SAR expertise, SAR coordination skills, and ability to read air currents, search dogs alerts, scent and scent evidence and I was able to direct search teams to an area which helped them find the missing person dead. Total human victims located dead 914. Total Finds and Assist Finds Live and Dead Humans 1,532 All these cases are documented. Case # assigned. Date, times, locations, names, places, agencies and have been reviewed by the Dept of justice, local law enforcement and other agencies and has been authenticated. All FINDS live, and Dead were witnessed by other law enforcement, SAR members, family members of the victims. Finding just one person alive or dead gives the search dog handler credibility. Harry Oakes has a documented 95% accuracy level at finding the victim or determining what really happened to them and where. P.A.T. (Pet Assisted Therapy calls). Using SAR Dogs to assist humans in their grief loss programs. 115. May-86 To 12-326-2024. Cats search calls 4,361. Dogs search calls 4,979. Total Cats & Dogs (9,340). (Note) Not all calls end up as an Active search. Many of the missing pets are found through Harry consulting with the pet owner(s) and directing their own private search activities. Other animal calls. Lizards calls 25/ Hedge Hogs calls 3/ Pet Rats calls 3 /Otter call 1/Hamsters call 2. 5 full size cows/ Mini Cows call 2/ Turtles/Tortise calls 71/Possum calls 1/ Goats call 8/ Horses 29 /Pet snakes 5 /Raccoons 1 /Skunk 7/ Elephant 1 (grief therapy Oregon Zoo) /Lion 3 /Rabbits 8 /Pet Birds 30/ Llamas 3/ Ferrets 34 /Therapy pig 1./ Suspect ID 50./ Bear hit by a car. 1. /Panda Bear escaped from Zoo in Ca. 1 /shot sea lion./ 2 seal pups, 1 injured deer Baby. (296 other). Total SAR Calls for Pets 9,632. ARTICLES- Wallet -1. I-Phone –7. Briefcase -1. Tile tracker 1. Money missing 1. Stolen bike 1. (12). Total Search calls Requests for People, pets, Teaching K9 SAR, and Article Evidence. Consulting SAR Teams. 15,371. Total searches conducted for missing persons and lost pets. 10,497. Consults of missing persons and lost pets, Evidence. 4,871. Canceled calls. 406. (persons/pets found while we were traveling to the search scene). Total Finds live and dead humans 1,532. Totals Finds live and dead pets, evidence. 3,537. Total finds people, pets live and dead, and article/evidence: 4,912. To date I’ve assisted and made finds on the following: 50 homicides 14 Kidnappings 146 Drownings 3 Bombing Terrorist attacks 21 Earthquake disasters 6 Floods 8 Mudslides 2 Tornados 6 Hurricanes 6 Major Forest wildland fires. Missing persons 167 Suicides. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11065622 Exposing the truth about the Ward Weaver murders of Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis 2002 Oregon City, Ore. Showing I did in fact find their remains. FBI and OCPD ignored the truth. 2021-392-074(C). 03-31-2021 Missing person Grays Harbor, Wa. re Sabrina lynn Cole. Wash. BPX 4786. Team; H. Oakes. SAR Dog Tyler K-9-1. SAR Dog Cindy Lou. Results: Located her body despite Grays Harbor sheriff’s office and SAR dog failing to find her. We were 100% correct in her location. Body recovered where my dogs alerted. 04-05-2021 by Dive team. Court Cases: Testified 09-02-95 Clark Co. Washington. Sheriff’s Dept. DEM#95-1217 Martha, Michael and Crystal Beeson Vancouver, WA. During suspect’s trial, the Clark Co. DA's office qualified me as an expert witness through my training, testing, and qualifications. I testified about scent evidence, our tracks of each subject, and drew a diagram of the route the suspect took with each victim. During a 10-minute recess, the suspect returned and stopped the trial and entered a plea of guilty on all charges. The D.A.'s office said that's the first time they've seen this happen in 10 years. (Search Warrant issued on this case based on the search dog’s findings). Our search dogs were 100% correct. 09-11-2011 Karen Glacier Homicide Medford, Ore. Testified Carolyn Kallay Homicide Clark Co. WA. 95-599-196 11-18-95 Clark Co. (Suspect Convicted). Testified: 05-01-2014 Wrongful death lawsuit expert witness request. Attorney Kevin Hoffman, Tracy Garcia Singer legal.net I testified as Expert Witness regarding Scent, scent evidence, Dog behavior, cold weather death. Virginia. Sally J. Ramsey (Victim). 49, of Hague (Helped Attorneys win a $8,000.000.00-dollar judgment against defendant). Testified 2014 Washington Co. Hillsboro, Oregon re Stolen Dog case against a vet clinic. Case Prep Oct. 2016 Thurston Co. WA. State of Washington Vs. Mr. Clemens. Client for attorney Chris Van Vechten Attorney at Law The Law Office of Chris Van Vechten (DA’s office offered Mr. Clemens a plea bargain after reviewing my testimony). Utube Kyron Horman search. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I__obUc6fQ These are just SOME of the missing person cases I’ve worked on over the years. Doesn’t include the thousands of lost pet case or evidence cases on crime scenes. Revised 12-31-2024.
53 years of expert service. Credibility is in the courtroom. Because of my success in teaching, working, in all aspects of SAR and K9 SAR, I've been approved as an Expert witness regarding SAR, Scent evidence, K9 SAR, in the Courtroom. Also an expert regarding injury and death investigations.
Besides documenting each and every call that comes into our headquarters, we write clear, concise, accurate reports. They've held up in both the criminal and civil trials that I am brought in to testifty in. I have a 100% conviction rate on criminal trials and a 100% win rate in civil trials.
References: My thousands of references and reviews speak for themselves. I treat my clients the way I would want to be treated. With honesty, compassion, and integrity. I've been in their shoes and know all to well the pain, sadness, sorrow, fears, when a pet or person is missing. One thing everyone should remember is that "a search dog doesn't know how to lie". A SAR dog will follow the very last scent trail of the missing person or lost pet. When people walk, drive on top of that scent they may transfer it to the bottom of their feet or vehicle tires, this at times may confuse the SAR dog. Scent is trackable up to 18 months depending on the terrain, cross contamination, other factors. Rain actually helps liven the scent. After 39 years of tracking with a K9 partner, I've learned what is and is not a good valid track. View our photo gallery for photos of some very happy clients.
REFERENCES. Lost Pets.
Laura Braa to International K-9 Search and Rescue Services
Harry is the real deal! We live in a rural location in the middle of the woods. Our daughter had our golden retriever on a leash and it slipped out of her hand when our dog chased another dog off the property. Our dog has never ran away before. Within 5 minutes we were in the car and searching with no signs of her in the area. Our concern was that she still had a leash attached to her and were extremely worried she may be caught up in brush or the woods and be at a disadvantage if faced with a cougar. After several hours of searching the woods around our house we began to discuss alternative options. We determined prior to contacting Harry that whatever information he was able to provide would give us peace of mind. Once I had reached out to Harry, he was in touch within just a few hours. I didn't think he would make the drive to us, but after discussing our story he was willing to drive three hours to us! (I might add, we felt his rates were very appropriate.) He sent us an email that included what he was able to do with his tracking dogs, recommendations, stories, as well as other options we could pursue. At no time did I ever feel uncomfortable with the information provided or his services. He kept in regular contact on his drive to our house as well. Upon arrival he again explained what his dogs would do. They followed her scent up the road about a half mile from our house. Her scent never traveled into the woods; we were relieved to say the least. With the information he had found it was determined that she was most likely picked up. Given this news, we immediately went into action. Had we not had his validation in what we thought had happened we wouldn't have taken the additional steps to get our dog back. To wrap up this long review, our dog was 100% stolen. This story has a happy ending! Our dog was returned to us within 2 days, someone dropped her at the bottom of our property, she came running into the house and had clearly been bathed and combed. We are forever grateful to Harry and his dogs for their services; again, we attribute getting our dog back to Harry! Thank you from our family! Additionally, our family and friends really enjoyed the time that Harry spent sharing his incredible expertise and stories!
Some of our thousands of references re Missing pet searches.
Re: Missing persons.
Emilee O'Neil Jul 12, 2020 I wish all who serve could be as exemplary as Harry, sadly not the case. This man has integrity, honor. He can see from both sides of the isle. He has seen and heard things that I couldn’t imagine. It is also important to note that if it wasn’t for Harry, the white supremacist who murdered my beloved Saffa would have never been brought to justice.
Babette C. Deer Trail, CO 12/4/2019 I lost 2 dogs that chased a bear off our property. On day 4 of missing, Harry gave me specific instructions on to who to call to report the missing dogs. It was along list and took a few hours but totally worth it. He saved me thousands of dollars by giving me advice and guidance on gathering resources to help. On day 5 my dogs were found because I made the calls I otherwise would have thought pointless. The only thing Harry asked for in return was to let me know if I found them. He followed up with emails during the search and I was grateful he had offered to help. My experience was great.
Ashley T. Everett, WA 4/28/2019 My dog had been missing 12 hours I exhausted all hope posted on every forum had fliers up every where so many man hours on the ground! My husband had thought of search and rescue dogs the night before I honestly expected thousands of dollars and no results. I found Harry online and I emailed the night before he called me back on Sunday and came up 4 hours from Longview to Everett the same day. He brought 2 dogs and a bonus pug. We went to the last known location and he was very professional. The dogs did their job and we hiked up a steep incline forest hill behind a trailer park and found my lil chihuahua huddled in some brush. He was so scared he didn't want to move. I was instructed to move slowly and talk softly if he might bolt my husband went around the back and got him. The dogs sniffed him out with the guidance of Harry! I know we were so very lucky! I know not all people are! I was so relived I never want to let him go! Thanks to The dog team lead by a well trained man got the job that all the work I put in couldn't have done! I couldn't be more thrilled!
o 
Happy family reunion
o Melissa D. San Francisco, CA 4/22/2018 Our dog went missing around 6 pm on a Saturday night. Harry was recommended to us and we called him around 9 pm, and he agreed to come right out with his dogs to help us search, even though he was about an hour away. He arrived asap and got right to work. No nonsense, no time wasted. His dogs picked right up on my dog's smell and were ultimately able to find him deep in the woods behind my house (he'd fallen down a ravine type thing and couldn't get out). Without Harry and his dogs, we would never have found our baby, because you could barely see him, even two feet away because of the thick underbrush and he wasn't making any noise (fear of predators?). It was his dog that found him through smell and I can't thank him enough for his hard work and dedication to finding our boy!Bottom of Form
o TJ J. Bellevue, WA 4/18/2018 I have worked with International K9 Search and Rescue twice. One animal went missing after being "taken" by a neighbor in financial distress looking to sell a Siamese cat quick on Craigslist. Taking to CL to stop the sale of the cat for quick cash prompted the release of the cat, which then led to the recovery of the cat a short distance away from where it was tracked by the dogs. And recovery back to the owner within 24 hours of capture. The cats owner a disabled veteran had a special bond with this cat and was devastated when it went missing and immediately felt there was no hope. Once the SAR team determined the animal was "Alive" it allowed for the owner to not give up the search and rescue and offered "hope" for recovery. And in this case it was a harrowing story to get the cat back but a happy ending. Cats go missing for many reasons, but in this case, Harry's team tracked it to the exact house of the people who took the cat. Within 2 months after the cat theft, these people had been evicted by the Sheriff's office and were forced out of the neighborhood. The point here is that animals are "taken", sold and profited from, attacked by other animals and killed, hit by cars, etc. when left to roam outside. It's the chance you take. The second time Harry was hired the dogs determined a death scent. Coyote scat in the area contained cat fur. Sad ending but closure to knowing the cat was not coming home. My efforts to post info. on my lost cat separate to Harry's work only brought lots of false leads to cats that were not mine, wasted time and frustration in general. I think you have to keep the perspective that "nothing" is a guarantee in search and rescue. Even if you have multiple animals in your house and the scented item for the lost pet has other animal scents on it can throw SAR dogs off the main scent of the lost animal. Many variables go into the work of these animals. It's sad to see so many negative comments and sour grapes when there are "real" people who have gone on to find their pets. If you don't ever want to pay a SAR company, keep animals indoors and on leash equipped with GPS collar trackers for recovery if they get off leash accidently.
Jeff C. Shelton, WA 4/7/2018 Harry was fantastic and provided us with the tools to find our dog. She had been missing for 3 days before we decided to use a tracking service. He was fortunately available so he came out the next day. We know our dog but he knows their behavior in these situations. Great service well worth using. He is honest and well informed. He was very concerned for our lost pet and I believe any post that says otherwise is mistaken.
Vanessa S. Hillsboro, OR 1/13/2018 My partner and I called Harry and his crew out to Hillsboro today to help us find our missing cat. He was very knowledgable and professional, and has years of experience with searching for missing beings. While unfortunately we were unable to find our cat, we did obtain some very valuable information about what could have possibly happened to her and what some next steps are in order to help lead her back home. His price was very reasonable and he was honest with us throughout the search on what his thoughts were. We would definitely recommend his services.
o Carol B. Bend, OR 1/5/2018 I am writing this review in response to a number of less than positive reviews made by people on Yelp. Claims have been made that Harry Oakes takes advantage of people, is a scammer and a fraud. Nothing can be further from the truth!
My experience with International K9 Search and Rescue spans the last several years. Mr. Oakes has assisted me on numerous occasions in finding friends lost pets. His methods are sound and successful. He has never once given me bad advice. To date, all of the pets that I have requested assistance for were located alive! Including my own dog!
Harry has "GIVEN" me invaluable assistance in training my dog. I know for a fact that he donates a great deal of his time and expertise to help others. I am one of those people. I have used his methods successfully!
There is a process to Search and Rescue. The results are not guaranteed. Ever! Mr. Oakes needs specific information unique to each client he serves. Without it, chances of success are diminished.
There have been certain negative claims against Mr. Oakes made by a person on Yelp who lists herself as a certified dog trainer. Upon investigation, I learned that her certification through CDPT-KA was "purchased" from an organization that is not truly recognized. Source: dogtraining.world, access CDPT-KA and draw your own conclusions.
What I will say, is that should either I or any of my family or friends were to become lost, I would want Harry Oakes and any one of his associates looking for me. He is the real deal.
o Doxy T. My experience was amazing. Our cat got out yesterday and we were distraught. Stayed up all night making signs and walking around calling for her. I randomly found Harry online and called without even looking up reviews. He came by a couple hours later and within 15/20 min his dogs Willow and Tyler had tracked my cat down. I was in shock and was so relieved to see my baby again....Its gotta be a hard job, because there is no guarantee that you will get the outcome you are looking for...but I am a total believer and do not doubt the intelligence of animals and a good trainer. Thank you Harry, you truly saved us.
Menu / Price List
Our price list.
Requesting a Contract and paying for the search services.
Photo above showing SAR dogs finding a live unresponsive hypothermic victim
Actual search cost $200. 00 per hour. Plus travel expenses. 97% of searches take 1 hour or less.
When you request a contract, we'll obtain through an email from you your name, address, city, state, zip code and telephone number and search location. We'll then call you and discuss what we can and can not do for your case. When making your required deposit after we've talked and the contract has been completed you will need to make your deposit on our Western Union Account.
You must first email us the information so we can determine the cost of the search.
Request a consult for a missing person or lost pet.
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If you are an Client wanting to discuss professional SAR consulting services then email us your name, home address, city, state, zip code, telephone#, and all the information regarding your case. We'll do a consult with an 98% accuracy rate.
Request a consult for a missing person or lost pet.
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If you are an Client wanting to discuss professional SAR consulting services then email us your name, home address, city, state, zip code, telephone#, and all the information regarding your case. We'll do a consult with an 98% accuracy rate.
Attorney Requesting a expert consult for possible courtroom testimony.
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As a SAR and K9 SAR Expert, I'm considered an expert witness in the courtroom regarding SAR matters, death investigations, accident investigations, and K9 SAR issues. Scent evidence. Please email me your name, and contact information. I charge $50.00 per fifteen minutes of case review. If I testify then I charge $1,000.00 per day plus any and all travel expenses. I now require a Deposit up front before I do any consulting.
SAR books written by Mr. Oakes
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SAR Book
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A Call to Duty. Story about Search and Rescue through the eyes of my search dog Ranger. Training, testing, actual work cases. Exposes the truth about Law enforcement and SAR and how they have cost many victims their life due to ego's and politics. Email me and I'll send you the book via email. Cost $10.00 dollars.
SAR Book (Search and Rescue).
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This book is written for Civilians, beginners, Intermediate and experience K9 handlers, SAR Coordinators, Police officers, SAR Coordinators, Judges, Attorneys. Explains the politics involving SAR, how to train yourself as a SAR person. How to train your dog in all aspects of SAR. Cost is $20.00 I reveal all the BS that really goes on in SAR and how egos have cost dozens of lives in the NW.
Child Safety Help Us Find You Search and Rescue Coloring book.
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This book teaches children how to be safe in the woods, items they should carry depending on their age. A fingerprint card. This program has saved 16 lives to date. It's free. Email me and ask me for a free HUFY Coloring book.
To Send a payment send a check to Harry Oakes 269 18th ave. Longview, Washington 98632 USA.