Diana Arnold, Mission Ready Assist
Jasper (Labrador Retriever), Public Relations K-9

Diana is currently Base Camp operator on trainings and call-outs. When she’s not terrorizing Tokyo with her Godzilla-sized Lab, she enjoys spending time (and money) on her horses, goats, cats, bird, husband, and any other strays that she picks up. Her dog Lil’ Jasper, or Jasper to his friends, is an 8-year-old AKC registered Labrador Retriever. Jasper is retired from active duty due to an injury and is one of two full-time Public Relations dogs for the group. When he’s not giving pony rides to the local kids, Jasper enjoys rolling around on his back, barking at the Fed-Ex man, beating everyone with his baseball sized tail, and getting pats on the head.

Jennifer Arnold, Mission Ready Dog Handler
Trouble (Border Collie), Mission Ready K-9 in Tracking/Trailing and Cadaver

Jennifer has been with the group since 1999 and first started out with a Rottie named Sarah, training in Tracking/Trailing and later in Cadaver. She became Mission Ready in 2000 and when Sarah was retired due to arthritis, she became an assist to the various dog teams that were Mission Ready at the time. The majority of her call-outs have consisted of human remain detections and the occasional Alzheimer walk away.

Trouble (born LZS Trouble) is a 3-year-old registered ABCA Border Collie. He is Mission Ready in Tracking/Trailing and Cadaver Level III. When he’s not looking for people, he enjoys playing soccer with his family, pretending to herd the family’s five horses (who are not too impressed) and barking at children’s amusement park rides.

David Brown, Mission Ready Assist & Technical Advisor

David has been a member of Southern Arizona Rescue Association (SARA), another branch of Pima County search and rescue, since 1961. He joined SRDI in March of 1998 and brought to the team his extensive experience in various aspects of SAR work, particularly technical rescue. He serves as an extremely valuable resource for SRDI, and his advice and guidance are frequently sought after by team members.

Vi Brown, Mission Ready Dog Handler
Patches (Queensland Heeler), Recently retired K-9 in Tracking/Trailing, Evidence, Cadaver, and Water

Vi joined the Southern Arizona Rescue Association (SARA), another branch of Pima County search and rescue, in 1965. In April of 1994 she and Patches joined SRDI, and have been cornerstone members of the team ever since. They advanced rapidly through the disciplines, becoming Mission Ready in Tracking (1994), Evidence (1995), Cadaver (1996), and Water (1998). Their successes on call-outs have been numerous and they are well-known throughout Pima County and beyond for their expertise and professionalism.

Paul Cartter, Mission Ready Assist
Sally Mae (Hound mix), Public Relations K-9

Retired USAF and joined SRDI in 1997. First dog he worked was SallyMae, a Redbone/Walker Coonhound that has 3 live finds and 1 homicide cadaver find. She is now retired and does Safety talks at school and organizations as a petting dog as she loves children. His second dog was Eike, a German Shepherd that has 1 water find on a drowning person. She injured her hind legs and had to retire. The third dog is Ginger, a Bloodhound that worked with the FBI at Quantico FBI Academy on the D.C. sniper shootings and Anthrax letters. Paul injured his knee and now is unable to work dogs anymore and now does the PR for SRDI.

Jennifer Johnson, Mission Ready Assist
Sugar Bear (Border Collie mix), Retired K-9 in Tracking/Trailing

Current President, Jennifer is a Mission Ready team member who have been continuously active in the group since 1999. She is currently President of the group. Sugar Bear is a ten-year-old Border Collie mix with a big love of people. She is trained in Novice and Open Obedience and is proud to sport the Canine Good Citizen certificate of achievement. Sugar Bear was certified in Basic Wilderness Tracking/Trailing and has assisted the team on many successful missions.She retired in March 2006.

Jennifer is a school teacher in Tucson. She first became interested in search and rescue when she met the original famous duo of rescuers, Rin Tin Tin and Rusty, at a PR session in Virginia in 1957. When she is not working, Jennifer likes to ride her horses or hike the great Arizona trails. Jennifer is certified in Outdoor Emergency Care and CPR for the professional rescuer.

Pam Johnson, Mission Ready Assist
Kelly (Labrador Retriever mix), K-9 in Training for Air scent

Pam Johnson joined SRDI in Fall 2004 and is a Mission Ready Member. Her one-year-old Labrador mix, Kelly, is in training for air scent.