On January 1, 1996, Sonoran Search and Rescue was formed as a not-for-profit, volunteer search and rescue organization, affiliated with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department. The team was founded by SAR K9 handlers; Cindy Harris, Marla Villa and Louis Villa.

     This website is dedicated to the original 3 K9’s who were instrumental in the formation of Sonoran Search and Rescue; Donner, Liebe and Rainy. It was through them that we established a level of excellence and dedication that we continuously strive to maintain.

     Since it’s inception members have strived to fulfill the unit’s mission; ‘To establish and maintain a well trained team to capably search for lost, stranded or injured persons, render first aid and perform such tasks within it’s capabilities; to give aid and assistance to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department, or any other requesting agency, during a time of crisis; and to preserve human life at all times’.

     Members of the Sonoran Search and Rescue team function as a tight-knit, versatile team of volunteers. The unit specializes in providing a highly effective Man-Tracking and K9 Search and Rescue resource for the citizens of Pinal County and the State of Arizona. Since the team’s inception, members of Sonoran Search and Rescue have responded to over 100 requests for assistance from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department, Gila River Indian Nation, Tohono O’Odham Indian Nation, FBI, INS, Arizona Department f Emergency Services and various sheriff’s departments from throughout the state of Arizona.

     In addition to search and rescue services, members of the team also perform visits to schools, libraries and various organizations, giving talks on outdoor survival and introducing individuals to the world of K9 Search and Rescue.

     In January of 2001, Sonoran Search and Rescue was incorporated as a non-profit organization and was granted it’s 501c3 status by the Internal Revenue Service on April 06, 2001.

     In 2004, various members of the team attained their certifications as Rope Rescue Technicians and PADI Rescue Divers. In 2005 the Sonoran Search and Rescue Executive Board instituted a policy by which all unit members must attain their NASAR SAR TECH II certification within 1 year of joining the team.

     Sonoran Search and Rescue is a team of dedicated ‘Volunteer Search and Rescue Professionals’, who enjoy volunteering their time ‘That Others May Live’.