Connecticut Canine Search And Rescue

Don Miner

Don is the current President of CCSAR. Don has 19 years as a volunteer EMT and is a ski patroller. He is active in his town's government and also belongs to a number of community groups, including Rotary and Boy Scouts. Professionally, Don is a finance and accounting manager with a large explosives manufacturing company, with a career in management and finance of manufacturing.

Robert Paruolo

Bob is a three-term past president of CCSAR. He is an engineer for a large energy corporation and lives with his wife Karen and son and daughter.

Bob formerly handled Newfoundland SAR dog Turk.

Thomas Recck

Tom is the current treasurer of CCSAR. In addition, he fills the very important job as point-person for searches. Usually the first on the scene, he establishes who is in command and keeps responding CCSAR teams updated as to the status of the search. A financial planner by trade, Tom is responsible for financial reports within the organization.

Tom enjoys downhill skiing.

Tom's wife, Lori, is a CCSAR dispatcher.

Niamh Dougall, Angus and Hamish -- South West

Breed: Black Labrador Retrievers

Certifications and Training: with Angus - Woodland and Water; with Hamish - Woodland

Niamh is the current Vice President of CCSAR and has been a dog handler since 1999. She initially trained in Jackson Hole, WY. Niamh is an Emergency Room Nurse with a background as an EMT and a Wilderness First Responder.

Niamh has 3 black labs, of which 2 are currently active. She also manages 3 children at home.

Niamh is currently working for Cadaver certification with Hamish.

Liz Burne and Lionel -- Northwest

Breed: English Springer Spaniel

Certifications and training: Woodland, Cadaver, Water, Trailing, Disaster, CGC.

Liz is the CCSAR past President and a canine trainer and is trained in Critical Incident Stress Management.

Marian Beland and Tracer -- North Central

Breed: Portuguese Water Dog

Certifications and training: Woodland, Water, Cadaver and Disaster.

Marian is a past president of CCSAR. She has a background in law enforcement, was an airline employee ("...worked every job at the airport...") and now works in telecommunications for a major insurance company.

Marian is active in church functions and holds a second-degree black belt in Karate.

Marian formerly handled SAR dog Heidi, a Rottweiler.

Deb Iannacito and Spenser -- Western

Breed: German Shepherd

Certifications and Training: Trailing

Deb has been the secretary of CCSAR for the past two years and is an accountant for a firm in western CT. Deb and her husband have 2 children.

Spencer enjoys working as a trailing dog and also enjoys watching over Deb's children.

Dr. Peter J. Vernesoni and Mika -- Central

Breed: Newfoundland (bronze)

Breed: Airedale

Certifications and training: Woodland, Water, Search Management Instructor, FUNSAR Instructor

Pete is a past president of CCSAR. He is a retired Commander with 32 years active and reserve service with the United States Coast Guard and USCG Reserve.

He is a recently retired professor at Central Connecticut State University. He enjoys sailing and wood carving. He is also the doting father to the OSV (Operational Support Vehicle) and Zodiac boat.

Peter's new SAR dog, Bella, an Airedale, is currently woodland certified.

Al Beland and Taz -- North Central

Breed: Taz, Black Labrador Retriever

Certifications and training: Woodland, Water, Cadaver, Search Management Instructor, FUNSAR instructor.

Al is a Navy veteran, and a former member of the Civil Air Patrol. He enjoys fishing, martial arts, and hiking. Al holds a third-degree black belt in karate.
Tia is Al's new dog in training.

Dave Polmon and Phantom -- Western

Breed: Border Collie "Gerbil on Speed" "Speedy"

Certifications and training: Woodland, Cadaver, Disaster. Starting trailing training.

Dave Polmon served as an EMT/Crew Chief in volunteer EMS for 17 years. He served in the US Army in Viet Nam during 1970-1971. He has experience as a CIS peer counselor since 1988.

Dave is a private pilot and enjoys motorcycling, building wooden sea kayaks, hunting and fishing. A former National-level sports car racer, he now instructs fledgling race drivers. Driver of the "Handler Support Vehicle" (a motorhome) and search bass boat.

Joanne Pigott and Ricky -- Central

Breed: Golden Retriever

Certifications and Training: Woodland and Cadaver.

Joanne was an English and Latin teacher at the Mooreland Hill School in Kensington for thirty-two years. Ricky is her second SAR dog, and he is certified in and cadaver search. When she is not training, she enjoys trips to Maine and to Santa Barbara to play with her grandchildren, gardening, piano playing, watercolor painting, swimming, kayaking, and X-C skiing.

"Being a member of CCSAR has given me good companions and an avenue to help people in many ways."

Scott Ruskay and Texas -- Western

Breed: German Shepherd

Certifications and Training: Woodland, Water and Cadaver

Scott works as a machinist by day and moonlights as a professional dog trainer at night.

In 1997 he graduated from United States K-9 Academy where he got his basic dog training knowledge.

Scott enjoys camping and hiking with his wonderful wife Kassandra, snowboarding, and anything else that has to do with the great outdoors -- including training Texas

Texas...Loves to work!!!

Brian Beley and Pearl -- North Central

Breed: Labrador Retriever

Certifications and Training: Woodland, Water and Cadaver

Brian is a licensed electrician in Connecticut and Massachusetts. He has worked for 22 years at a local electrical contractor. When not training Pearl, Brian enjoys golfing, fishing, coaching Little League (anything sports related) and spending time with his wife and children.

You can always find Pearl chasing "critters" in the back woods of her home.

Jessica Kulynych and Jager -- Central

Breed: German Shepherd

Certifications and Training: Woodland

Jess is a college professor, writer, and mom (although not necessarily all at the same time!). She is a first aid and CPR instructor. Jess enjoys lots of outdoors backpacking and hiking experiences.

Jager is Jessica's second dog. Her previous dog, Sasha, was certified for woodland search.

Scott Ruskay's Rommel -- Western

Breed: German Shepherd

Scott has a certified German Shepherd named Texas and is beginning the training on his new puppy named Rommel