Thurmont, MD | Oct 31 - Nov 2, 2025

Join our highly accredited canine trainers in a three-day seminar dedicated to small group learning around the ins-and-outs of air-scenting. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced groups will commingle to create an atmosphere based around growth and knowledge-sharing. Together we’ll learn how to Follow your dog…And Find Out!

Meet Your Instructors

William Maydosz

Christine Ronsisvalle

Chris is an Operational K9 Handler with K9 ALERT, a K9 search and rescue team registered with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. K9 ALERT is used to assist local Law Enforcement and other agencies to locate lost or missing people. Chris has been an active member of the team since 2006 and has responded to over 100 search missions throughout Virginia.  In her search career Chris has worked a dog in both the Live-Find and Human Remains Detection (HRD) disciplines.  Chris is currently working her third operational dog who is cross-trained in both Live-Find and HRD as well as water recovery.  Chris is a State Evaluator for the Virginia K9 Air Scent and HRD Teams and has taught at many search and rescue seminars, sharing knowledge with other eager handlers.

David Fleenor

David is a member of K9 Alert Search and Rescue Dogs Inc that operates under an MOU with the Va Dept of Emergency Management (VDEM).  He has been with K9 Alert since 1991.  Currently a VDEM State K9 Evaluator, certified Search Team Leader, a former Search Management Member and a certified Handler with American Society of Canine Trainers (ASCT).  David has worked two previous K9s with VDEM certifications in Air Scent Wilderness and Land HRD.  His current K9 (Argo) is certified in VDEM Air Scent Wilderness, Human Remains Detection, Water Recovery Shoreline and Human Remains Detection with ASCT.  Additionally, they dedicate training evolutions to locating articles and understanding change of behaviors related to subject movement and aged residual scent.  David enjoys embracing technology in the search for the missing and blending “old school” skills with technology when needed.

Located in Cunningham Falls State Park

 

Three day working spot with your dog: $375

  • FAFO is an annual air-scent seminar hosted by Western Maryland K-9 Search and Rescue. Inspired by other powerful seminars run by neighboring canine teams, WMDK9 decided to host a seminar based around air-scenting.

  • Each ticket comes with access to a powered campsite. RV’s under 23’ in length are welcome at these sites as well.

    There is also a dog friendly hotel available in the nearby town.

    Super 8 by Wyndham

    • 300 Tippin Drive

      Thurmont, MD 21788

    Starting at $52 per night with breakfast included

  • Breakfast and lunch will be provided with each ticket. There are locations around the park that are accessible for dinner.

  • Thursday night (check-in only), Friday, Saturday (8am - 5pm), and Sunday (until 4pm).

Ready to sign up? Be prepared for when our applications open by reviewing our questionnaire early:

Are you and your K9 a certified Air Scent Operational team?

If yes, what certifying body and level?

If yes, how many years certified with this K9?

If no, how far along in training are you?

If No, Does your K9 have a reliable Trained Final Response (TFR)/Final Trained Response (FTR)?

Out of 10 exercises, how many times would you anticipate your K9 to perform a full and unprompted TFR/FTR at her/his current level of training?

Is your K9....

  • Air Scent Non-discriminating?

  • Air Scent Discriminating

  • Other

How may years experience as a handler do you have?

  • 1 year

  • 2-5 years

  • Greater than 5

How many response tasks have you done in those years

  • 0-5

  • 5-10

  • 10-25

  • Greater than 25 tasks

Do you train your K9 to alert to, or perform a TFR/FTR on subject-related articles/clues left in the search area? Clothing, radio, backpack etc.

Please describe how your K9 is rewarded for a successful task. Who presents the reward?

Do you feel there is a conflict point or struggle within your K9's current reward sequence? Please explain. 

What are your goals for this seminar?

Is there an exercise or concept your K9 has been struggling with in recent training? Please describe below.

What topics would you like discussed?