Keith Holland, the founder of Joint Task Force K9, has returned to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, after a harrowing search and rescue mission in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Utilizing trained service dogs, Holland and his team worked tirelessly to locate missing individuals in the aftermath of the devastating storm.
Holland’s mission began in Mars Hill, located about 15 miles north of Asheville, where he and his service dog, Quill, embarked on a four-day search operation along the South Toe River. This mission was particularly challenging, as Holland noted that the devastation was far worse than any war zone he had previously encountered.
Holland stated, "When I got on the ground I thought okay it’s just another hurricane, another flood. It was far from that. It was way worse than any war zone I’ve been to." His experience as an Army veteran and his extensive background in search and rescue missions equipped him for the task, but the conditions were overwhelming.
Holland’s efforts were not solitary; he collaborated with Heroes for Humanity, a veteran-run non-profit organization, and other special operations veterans. Together, they faced the daunting task of recovering bodies amidst the chaos left by the hurricane.
The team successfully recovered three bodies, but Holland emphasized the difficulties they encountered. He explained, "The problem is all the water and the pressure and the force that brought it down the mountain, and all the debris, and vehicles, and houses, and trees that were all mixed in that water. It’s really doing a lot of damage to the bodies and breaking them up."
One of the most significant aspects of Holland’s mission was the use of trained service dogs. He noted that they were the only team utilizing dogs in the remote area they were searching. Holland remarked, "The dogs at this point in time of recovery are going to be the biggest asset to any organization doing searches. Just for the simple fact of these bodies are buried, some of these bodies are broken up, and the dog’s nose is way capable of finding these locations."
Holland explained the methodology behind the dogs’ training, stating, "We like using article scents so we can send the dog on what we want them to find. So if it’s a dead body or if it’s keys, if it’s anything you could think of we can have that dog learn scent detection on that particle article and have them go look for it."
After returning home for a brief respite, Holland plans to head back to western North Carolina next week. His goal is to assist those who remain stranded and without resources, especially as the weather turns colder.
Holland’s commitment to helping others in the wake of disaster exemplifies the spirit of service and resilience. To support Joint Task Force K9 in their ongoing efforts, donations and assistance are welcomed as they prepare for their next mission.
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