Western Carolina University Cadaver Dog Training

08/11/2026

Level 1 Water Recovery Training a Tremendous Success at WCU

This past weekend, Western Carolina University hosted Level 1 Water Recovery Training, bringing together participants for hands-on instruction in water search and recovery operations.

The training was an overwhelming success. It is rare for an entry-level course to have access to four boats and such an exceptional instructor-to-student ratio, allowing participants valuable extended time on the water to develop and refine their skills.

Instructors Briggs and Grant emphasized that strong partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies are essential to the success of these programs. They would like to extend special recognition and thanks to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for their outstanding support. Sgt. Chris Wilkins, Officer Jake Bosley, and Officer Cole Burch went above and beyond to help facilitate this important training focused on the recovery of missing persons.

We are excited to build on this momentum with Advanced Level Two: Water Recovery of Human Remains, coming this October.

Interested in learning more or registering for an upcoming course? Visit hrddog.wcu.edu

Thank you, Fern Chagas, for these wonderful photos!

06/03/2026

Water recovery is a complex and critical component of missing persons and victim recovery operations. Effective work in aquatic environments requires specialized training, technical understanding of scent behavior, and disciplined K9 handling under challenging conditions.

Two courses are being offered to support both foundational development and advanced operational readiness:
Level 1: Water Recovery HRD K9 Training
August 7–9, 2026
Focused on building core capabilities, including aquatic scent theory, recovery strategies, and hands-on training across lakes, rivers, and creeks.

Advanced (Level 2): Scenario-Based Water Recovery
October 2–4, 2026
Designed for experienced teams, this course emphasizes realistic deployment scenarios using real human remains, with a focus on independent K9 performance, watercraft operations, and handler evaluation.

Training across both courses includes classroom instruction, field exercises in varied aquatic environments, and exposure to real-world recovery scenarios.

Enrollment is limited to maintain safety and training quality. The advanced course requires prior water recovery experience or equivalent.

Insure your spot today: https://www.wcu.edu/engage/professional-enrichment/profdev/cadaver-dog-training/index.aspx

03/17/2026

We are honored to offer a specialized Burned Human Remains Detection (HRD) Canine Training Course focused on advancing operational readiness in complex post-fire and mass-casualty environments.

This advanced training opportunity is designed exclusively for law enforcement, fire services, and formal emergency response personnel working with HRD canines. Instruction emphasizes accuracy, ethical deployment, and respect for the deceased throughout all training scenarios.

The cost to attend this course is $525 per team.
Due to the sensitive and advanced nature of this training, official agency credentials will be required at the time of registration.

For additional details please see hrddog.wcu.edu

06/10/2025

Limited Spots are still available for these courses! Don't miss your chance to register!
*PLEASE NOTE: There is an option for Non-K9 Handlers*

HRD Dog Courses: hrddog.wcu.edu
Forensic Course: bones.wcu.edu

06/03/2025

WCU Cadaver Dog Training has two specialized K9 training courses coming up!

🐾 Burned Human Remains K9 Training on November 21–23
-Open to credentialed law enforcement, fire, and emergency management personnel

🌊 Water Recovery K9 Course on July 11–13
- A unique opportunity for HRD K9 teams—spots are limited!

➡️ Learn more and register for the above courses at hrddog.wcu.edu

💀 Not bringing a K9? Check out our Forensic Anthropology & Burned Remains Course on November 21-23, designed for professional fire and death investigators. Note: This class will include a hands-on component using a controlled-burn scene with human remains. Learn more and register for this course at bones.wcu.edu

04/22/2025

Registration NOW OPEN! Visit HRDDOG.WCU.EDU to learn more and register!

Registration is open TODAY for the Burned Human Remains K9 Detection Training with Western Carolina University Cadaver Dog Training happening May 16-18 at WCU. This is a 3-day specialized training for law enforcement, fire, and emergency first responders. Find out more and register at hrddog.wcu.edu before spaces fill!

04/17/2025

Advance Your HRD K9 Skills in a Specialized Burn Scene Training!
Join us May 16-18 at WCU! Registration Opens TUESDAY, APRIL 22nd at 8:00 am EST!

We are excited to offer an exclusive training opportunity designed specifically for law enforcement, fire services, and formal emergency response personnel working with Human Remains Detection (HRD) canines. (You must be in one of these categories to attend this training).

Course Highlights:
-Hands-on training from a live controlled-burn scene utilizing human remains
-Focus on full-body burned cadaver recovery, cremains, burned tissue, and bone fragments

Learn More and Register at HRDDOG.WCU.EDU

03/06/2025

Do you work for a law enforcement agency or emergency services team or have a strong interest in how to speak with the media?

You're invited to join us for this intensive short-course in Crisis Communication taught by expert and veteran Public Information Officer, Bill Davis.

Through expert-led instruction, real-world case studies, and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn how to:
-Develop a crisis communication plan before disaster strikes
- Craft powerful messaging to maintain trust and credibility
- Master media relations, interviews, and press conferences
- Engage social media for effective crisis communication
- Lead with confidence as an effective spokesperson

To learn more or register visit: https://continuinged.wcu.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=1059090

10/23/2024

Good Training Matters! If you have questions about Human Remains Detection Teams in your area, please contact your local law enforcement agencies.

Dr. Lisa Briggs and Edwin Grant, leaders of our HRD Dog Trainings, have been deployed with their HRD K-9s since the beginning of the recovery process from Hurricane Helene in WNC.

"During their deployment, Briggs and Grant have been made aware of and want to dispel some of the misinformation that has been circulated as a result of social media posts made by unethical or improperly trained HRD K-9 handlers."

- Read the full message in the images attached in this post or at https://www.wcu.edu/stories/posts/News/2024/10/wcu-human-remains-expert-lisa-briggs-debunks-false-hrd-k-9-information-surrounding-hurricane-helene-recovery-efforts.aspx .

10/07/2024

We are thankful for Dr. Lisa Briggs and Onna! And many others like her assisting in the recovery efforts in Western North Carolina due to Hurrican Helene. We are deeply saddened by the devastation Helene left, but do hope these teams can bring closure to families, friends, and communities in WNC.

As floodwaters from Helene recede, the gruesome task of recovering victims continues across flood-ravaged western North Carolina.