Great Basin K-9 SAR named finalist in Defender Service Awards, vote to help win grand prize

Great Basin K9 SAR has responded at the request of public safety agencies throughout the Intermountain West since 2009 with volunteers and their dogs. Photo: Joshua Jen.

KAMAS, Utah – Great Basin K9 Search and Rescue was named a finalist among Search and Rescue organizations in the Land Rover Defender Service Awards. The Utah-based organization was recognized for its work in training, certifying, and fielding Search and Rescue canines along with their handlers to help locate missing people. Vote here to help them win a fully-equipped Land Rover Defender.

“Great Basin K-9 SAR is so very grateful for this opportunity to not only win a Land Rover Defender and $25,000 to enhance our response capabilities but also for the opportunity to share with people the work that we do with our dogs to bring people home to their loved ones,” said Sonja Nordstrom president and lead trainer for Great Basin. “Our dogs are trained from puppyhood throughout their working lives. We have no paid members/staff, and our search services are provided at no charge to families or requesting agencies. It is definitely a labor of love that we take very seriously.”

As a finalist, Great Basin K9 Search and Rescue will receive $5,000 from the presenting sponsor, CHASE. Founded in 2009, the Great Basin K9 Search and Rescue team serves Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, and Montana with volunteer help; there is no paid staff within the organization.

Land Rover launched the Defender Service Awards to celebrate U.S. and Canadian-based charitable organizations that make a positive impact in their communities. To honor these organizations and people that devote their time and safety to others, Land Rover will award a specially outfitted Land Rover Defender 130 SUV to the five winning organizations. Winners are chosen based on a public vote and will also receive $25,000 from the category sponsor.

Public voting opened on October 21 and runs through November 6, 2022. Winners for all categories will be announced on November 12 at Destination Defender.

The five Search and Rescue Award finalists, presented by Pelican:

• Great Basin K-9 Search and Rescue, Inc. (Kamas, UT)

• Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais Ottawa Volunteer Search and Rescue (Ottawa, Ontario)

• El Paso County Search and Rescue (Colorado Spring, CO)

• Alaska Dive Search, Rescue and Recovery (Anchorage, AK)

• Missouri Search and Rescue K9 Unit (Blue Springs, MO)

Another Utah-based organization, Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering, is up for the Animal Welfare Award presented by KONG. Vote here to support them.