Meet Barb with K9 Maxine & K9 Dozer:

Name: Barb
Name of K9(s): Maxine (German Shepherd) and Dozer (Bloodhound)
Breed of K9: German Shepherd & Bloodhound
Discipline(s): Human Remains Detection & Tracking
How you got started with SAR/how long you have been involved: Barb has been involved in SAR since 2017
Personal Credentials/Dog Credentials: SAR II, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Masters in Business Administration & Masters in Forensic Psychology. Maxine is NASAR Land HRD and Dozer is NASAR Trailing as well as FLECA Trailing.
K9’s favorite activities when not participating in SAR: Both love their home and going for walks

Some dogs leave paw prints. Others leave a legacy.

K9 Maxine did both.

We said goodbye to an extraordinary partner, teammate, and friend. Maxine served with heart and determination throughout a highly successful Search and Rescue career as a certified tracking dog, working alongside both of her devoted handlers, Joe and Barb. Together, they followed countless trails, bringing clarity, direction, and hope when it was needed most.

Later in her career, Maxine transitioned into Human Remains Detection, certifying again and continuing her service with Barb. With the same drive and dedication that defined her tracking work, she approached every search with purpose and unwavering commitment to the mission. No matter the task, Maxine gave everything she had — every training, every deployment, every moment in the field.

But beyond her impressive accomplishments, Maxine was something even more special. She loved deeply and was loved just as fiercely by Barb and Joe. She was not just a working dog — she was family, a partner, and a constant presence whose impact reached far beyond the field.

At home, her bond with her bloodhound brother, Dozer, was undeniable. The two shared a connection that spoke without words, and her absence is deeply felt. She leaves behind a space that cannot be filled, only honored.

K9 Maxine’s legacy lives on in every track she completed, every mission she answered, and every life she touched. She worked with purpose, lived with heart, and will be remembered always.

Run free, sweet Maxine. Your watch is complete.