Serve with a purpose! The University of the Philippines – Metro Manila Development Authority – UP Vanguard Inc. K9 Search and Rescue Corps (UPMV K9 Corps) is once again opening its doors to volunteers willing to undertake intensive training aimed at imparting invaluable life skills for both dogs and people.

Over the course of 20 Saturdays, the volunteer handlers will learn how to better understand their dogs, who in turn will learn to obey commands and gain improved awareness and stability in a variety of situations. The pair will become closely-bonded companions equipped with basic survival and search-and-rescue expertise. 

“Contrary to popular belief, dog training is as much about the owner as it is about the pet,” explains UPMV K9 president Elah Tendero. “We don’t just teach dogs how to behave. We teach people how to better understand and communicate with their dogs.”

“Sadly, pets often get neglected or forgotten in the event of a disaster and get left behind as communities evacuate. But they can still be of invaluable assistance in disaster response and relief efforts,” Tendero adds.

Interested applicants for UPMV K9 Batch 12 must be able to:

• Assure your unwavering commitment to the Saturday training sessions, as both handler and dog will be subjected to rigorous exercises. (Unfortunately, the nature of our program makes it unsuitable for toy dogs.)
• Prioritize your physical health and endurance, as our program involves strenuous activities designed for both human and canine participants.
• Confirm your dog’s well-being with up-to-date vaccinations. 

An extended list of FAQs and application form is available at https://tinyurl.com/UPMVK9Batch12. The deadline for applications is December 7, 2024.

All applications will undergo a meticulous screening process, and we regret that walk-ins will not be accommodated. Successful candidates from the initial screening will be notified via e-mail/SMS to proceed to the Orientation and Interview scheduled on December 14, 2024 (Saturday, venue to be announced).

Established in 2017, the UPMV K9 Corps provides free Search and Rescue training to help civilian volunteers and their beloved pets play active roles in disaster response efforts. To date, there are already close to a hundred volunteers and K9s in the program.