Thurmont, MD | Oct 30 - Nov 1, 2026
Join our highly accredited canine trainers in a three-day seminar dedicated to small group learning around the ins-and-outs of live-find 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!
Located in Cunningham Falls State Park
Three day working spot with your dog: $375
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FAFO is an annual live-find 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 live find air-scenting.
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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 Wyndham300 Tippin Drive
Thurmont, MD 21788
Starting at $52 per night with breakfast included
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Breakfast and lunch will be provided with each ticket. There are locations around the park that are accessible for dinner.
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Thursday night (check-in only), Friday, Saturday (8am - 5pm), and Sunday (until 4pm).
Meet Your Instructors
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.
William Maydosz
Bio coming soon!
About your hosts: Western Maryland K-9 Search and Rescue is equipped with, and currently training, Air Scent Dog Teams to assist with lost person searches in wilderness and urban interface environments. We follow criteria equivalent to FEMA Type II Wilderness Air Scent Team capabilities. We also have teammates that are certified in Human Remains Detection (HRD). The team can be self-sustaining for 48 hours in all weather conditions and low angle wilderness terrain or larger areas of 120 acres or more. We can also provide assistance with searching in a disaster environment, such as the outlying areas of a tornado zone.
FAFO Applications are now first-come first-served
Due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback from last year’s seminar, the team has decided to open our application process to be first-come first-served this year. Applications go live on Monday, July 20th at 8am. The structure of this seminar will still focus heavily on mixing different levels of experience, while maintaining our limited number of seats.