Texas A&M Veteran Discusses the Crucial Role of Search Dogs in Finding Missing Persons in Disaster Zones and War-Torn Areas
College Station, TX – In a heartfelt and eye-opening lecture held at the Texas A&M Emergency Operations Center, decorated military veteran and former U.S. Army K-9 handler, Sergeant Major (Ret.) Clayton Reynolds, shed light on the indispensable role that search dogs play in finding missing persons—both at home and abroad.
Having served multiple tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and later assisting with FEMA during Hurricane Harvey, Reynolds brought real-life stories and first-hand experience to an audience of cadets, first responders, and veterinary students. His message was clear: “Search dogs aren’t just animals—they are heroes with noses that save lives.”
Reynolds highlighted a specific mission in Fallujah where his Belgian Malinois, “Rico,” located two American contractors buried under rubble following an airstrike. “We had searched for 48 hours straight. Human eyes failed. Technology failed. But Rico didn’t.” The successful recovery of the two survivors became a case study in U.S. military and civilian search-and-rescue training programs.
According to Reynolds, dogs trained at Texas A&M’s K-9 Emergency Training Division, often in collaboration with the university’s elite Veterinary School, are taught advanced scent tracking, cadaver detection, and even psychological trauma response—skills increasingly needed in today’s natural disasters and conflict zones.
The event also showcased a live demonstration with current search dogs performing precision drills through simulated debris fields. “It’s a partnership of trust,” Reynolds explained. “These dogs learn to read danger, detect fear, and persist where machines cannot.”
Texas A&M has become a hub for K-9 rescue innovation. Through programs like Aggie Search K-9 Corps and joint efforts with the Department of Homeland Security, the university is training the next generation of search teams.
“Every minute counts in a disaster,” Reynolds concluded. “And often, it’s a dog who makes the difference between hope and heartbreak.”
As Texas A&M continues to lead in search dog training and deployment, stories like Reynolds’ serve as a powerful reminder of the loyalty, skill, and silent heroism found in these four-legged warriors.
