Meet the Team

Meet the CT Canine Search & Rescue Team

Tactical Support Team

Don Janelle

Don brings a diverse and accomplished background in emergency services and community leadership. He served as a firefighter for 32 years, including 15 years as an emergency manager, and is a certified scuba diver. He is also an avid photographer and a member of the Connecticut Type 3 Incident Management Team, where he serves as Planning Section Chief. In addition, Don has held numerous leadership roles, including 12 years as Secretary and Treasurer of Local 992 IAFF, 12 years with the Central Connecticut Bowling Association—four of them as President—and past membership in the Professional Bowlers Association.

Reagen Kelly

Coming Soon!

Rachel Longo

Rachel earned a graduate degree in Forensic Pathology from the University of Florida College of Medicine, with focused research on the use of scent detection dogs in forensic investigations. She previously owned “gentle giant” canine companions, a pit bull mix and two Rottweilers, though neither were trained in search work. While she hopes to train a K9 in human remains detection as a first-time handler in the future, she currently supports the team through base operations and as a boat driver.

Don Miner

Don has trained and certified in Woodland (Area Search) and Water Search and has served as a volunteer EMT for more than 25 years. He currently serves as Deputy Chief of his local ambulance service and is a former ski patroller with certification in Outdoor Emergency Care. In addition to his emergency service background, Don has been actively involved in community organizations including youth soccer, Boy Scouts, and Rotary, and he is a member of the Suffield Police Commission. Professionally, he works as a financial and cost accounting analyst for a major explosives manufacturer.

Don previously handled Chloe, a Labrador Retriever.

Marilyn Rice

Marilyn has owned six therapy dogs and has been visiting nursing homes with them since 1990. She is an Amateur Radio Operator with an Extra license and serves as an Auxiliary Emergency Communicator. Marilyn is active in the Greater Fairfield Amateur Radio Association, the Greater Bridgeport Amateur Radio Club, and is a member of the Fairfield CERT Team.

Operational Dog Teams

K9 Micah & Marian Beland

Certifications & Training: Marian has previously trained and certified dogs in Woodland Area Search, Human Remains Detection, and Water Search.

Marian formerly handled K9 Heidi, a rottweiler, and two PWDs K9 Tracer and K9 Ted.

K9 Summer & Brian Beley, Vice President

Certifications & Training: Brian has previously trained and certified dogs in Woodland Area Search, Human Remains Detection, and Water Search.

Brian formerly handled K9 Pearl, another Labrador Retriever.

K9 Diamond and K9 Delta & Bree Berner

Certifications & Training: Bree has previously trained and certified dogs in Woodland Area Search, Human Remains Detection, and Water Search.

Ham Call Sign: KB1VRB

Canine: Delta and Diamond, the Curly Coated Retrievers.

Bree previously handled K9 Sapphire, a Curly Coated Retriever.

K9 Eres and k9 Orva & Liz Burne, President

Certifications & Training:
Liz has previously trained and certified dogs for Woodland Area Search, Water Search, and Human Remains Detection.

Liz has certified four dogs with CCSAR in multiple disciplines and served as an instructor at seminars in several states and as a legal expert for trailing dogs.