Presentation of a Hampshire Search & Rescue Dogs Long Service Award to team member Kev Saunders MBE took place on Wednesday 14th September. Acting Chief Constable Ben Snuggs, Hampshire Constabulary presented the award to Kev Saunders in recognition of his 15 years voluntary service to Hampshire Search & Rescue Dogs (HSARDogs).
Kev has served 15 years with Hampshire Search and Rescue Dogs (formerly Lowland Rescue Dogs (Southern). In that time he has worked three operational dogs. Search Dog Zak (retired) was recently awarded the PDSA Order of Merit, Search Dog Kai (retired) and Search Dog Rusty who has been operational since March 2020. Kev is a National Assessor for search dogs and currently Acting Director (Dogs) for Lowland Rescue. He is also qualified as a Team Leader, Swift Water Rescue Technician, Search Manager (Search Ops and Search Planning) and Drone Spotter.
Kev was awarded the MBE in 2020 New Year’s Honours List for services to both Hampshire Special Constabulary and Hampshire Search and Rescue Dogs. He has served on the Committee of HSAR Dogs through most of his time and is currently Trustee, Ops Officer, and Lead Officer Water and Dog Training. A consummate volunteer, as well as HSARDogs and Special Constable with Hampshire Constabulary, he is also a Community First Responder with South Central Ambulance Service.
Presentation
The award comprised of two crystal whisky glasses on an engraved base with HSAR Dogs Team logo and a dedication plaque. Also presented was a bottle of Glenmorangie 14 Year old whisky.
Hampshire Search and Rescue Dogs Chair, Bug Wrightson commented, “In his 15 years service, Kev has been instrumental in driving the charity forward and our current impressive Operational Capability is largely due to his initiative and drive” he also went on to comment “As we’re on call 24/7 he’ll never get chance to drink the gift of whisky!”
Kev Saunders MBE said: “I’m humbled to receive such an award for my service. I could not have continued to work with Hampshire Search & Rescue Dogs without the team around me. Members, past and present, have supported me through both the highs and lows during my 15 years. I’m fortunate to have been recognised many times during my service but really importantly I still love working my dogs when needed, day or night, whatever the weather.”
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
About Hampshire Search & Rescue Dogs
Hampshire Search & Rescue Dogs are a team of volunteers who are called out by the police to search for high risk, vulnerable missing people. The dogs and their handlers, together with supporting search technicians, are trained and assessed to national standards. All operational members of the team are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The team is a registered charity (number 1114740).
If you would like to find out more, please contact the team via our Contact Page