MESARD training with IPWDA testing:
From Deb Palman: As of 9/4/2024, we have an abundance of teams registered for this event. At this point we cannot guarantee that teams registering after 9/3 will be able to participate in the 20-acre HRD and 40-acre wilderness tests. We will be working to accommodate all requests, but since this is the first year we are offering the 20-acre tests, we can’t be sure how it will go. Also, our trailing instructor from years past, Spencer Fuller, has retired so we are shorthanded compared to past years.
Call Deb Palman at 207-944-1131 if you have questions. We anticipate being able to fulfill the current requests for Wilderness, Trailing and 20-acre HRD tests and Land, Crime Scene and Water testing. Water testing and training will occur on Sunday.
Maine Search and Rescue Dogs Is Hosting a Training Seminar
(With IPWDA Testing Offered)
September 20, 21, 22, 2024
40 Acre Air Scent tests available Sept. 19
Topsham Fairgrounds
Fairgrounds Road
Topsham, ME 04086
Register now! 2024 Registration Form
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CONTACTS: IPWDA Master Trainer Deborah Palman IPWDA Master Trainer Celeste Robitaille IPWDA SAR Instructor Michele Fleury IPWDA SAR Instructor Kathryn Bamford IPWDA SAR Instructor Jennifer Anderson |
SCHEDULE: IPWDA Annual Regional Workshop 2024 Friday, September 20
Saturday, September 21
Sunday, September 22
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FEES:
- $370 Dog Handler and one dog
- $80 each additional dog – 3 dogs maximum with preapproval from Deb Palman
- $170 Auditing
- $75 fee for Wilderness testing on September 19th – THIS TEST IS FULL. SEE BELOW
- Testing offered: SAR Wilderness 40-acre, Land HRD, HRD Crime Scene, possibly the 20-acre large area HRD, Trailing and Article Search. Water HRD available on Sept. 22, possibly the 21st also. Because of time constraints, we may not be able to offer re-testing. If you have scheduling restrictions, please contact Deb Palman.
- Current membership in IPWDA is needed for testing (but not for training only).
- Please review the IPWDA testing standards because there are many prerequisites for testing.
Lodging in the area that will take dogs (please double check as these have not been checked for 2024):
- Fairfield Inn & Suites, 36 Old Portland Road, Brunswick, ME 04411, Tel. 207-721-0300
- Rodeway Inn and Suites, 287 Bath Road, Brunswick, ME 04411 Tel. 207-729-6661
- Comfort Inn, 199 Pleasant ST., Brunswick, Me 04411, Tel. 207-729-1129
- Days Inn, Brunswick Bath Area, 224 Bath Road, Brunswick, ME 04011, Tel. 207-725-8883
- Residence Inn by Marriott, 139 Richardson St., Bath, ME 04530, Tel. (207) 443-9741
- Hotel 44 North, 500 US-1, Freeport, ME 04032, Tel. (207) 865-9300
- Econo Lodge Brunswick Freeport, 537 US-1, Freeport, ME 04032, Tel. (207) 865-3777
- Maine Idyll Motor Court, 1411 US Route 1, Freeport, ME 04032, Tel. 207-865-4201
- Thomas Point Beach Campground, Off Route 24, Cook’s Corner, Brunswick, ME 04011, Tel. 207-725-6009, Toll Free: 877-TPB-4321
Sorry, but many motels near Bath are full, possibly due to Bath Iron Works housing workers in motels.
CAMPING AT THE FAIRGROUNDS:
$25 a night with full hookup. Tent or RV welcomed. Showers will be available. Some sites are in the fairground’s half near the grandstand and restrooms, others are on the side by the horse ring where it will be quieter.
Tentative Schedule: Thursday 8 am to 5 pm (Wilderness only) Friday 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday 8 am to 5 pm, Sunday 8 am to 5 pm. Venues for training will be provided for teams that are waiting for testing, but instructors may not be available until testing is over. In some cases, handlers may be able to observe testing for training purposes. We will meet at the Exhibition Hall each morning at the Topsham Fair Grounds. Boat training and testing will probably be available off site at a small pond. Shoreline is available in a small stream at the fairgrounds and off site. Boat work would be conducted primarily on Sunday or possibly also Saturday.
WILDERNESS TESTING ON SEPT. 19. THIS DAY’S TESTING IS FULL., please email Deb Palman if you’d like to be placed on a standby list: Testing for 40 acre Wilderness Air Scent teams will take place off site on Thursday, 9/19. Please meet at the Fairgrounds at 8:00 am for obedience testing and other prerequisites. A $75.00 fee is needed for this testing. We may be able to offer a discount for those registering for Thursday and the weekend, depending on how many register to test. 40-acre tests may have to be limited depending on how many sign up.
