In this episode of HFA Dr. Mark Marsolais joins us to discuss evaluating prospective SAR K9s utilizing the Brownell-Marsolais scale.

Mark Marsolais is a Professor of Criminal Justice and Security at Thomas College. Sam Houston State University awarded him a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice. In addition to his doctorate, Professor Marsolais has a B.S. degree and M.A. degree in Psychology. He specializes in teaching criminal justice, policing, homeland security, conservation law, evidence, critical issues, and special topics (e.g., Police Use of Force; Search and Detection K9s). Professor Marsolais served over 20 years with the Houston Police Department as a patrol officer, criminal investigator, Internal Affairs investigator, and supervisor of patrol, defensive tactics, and special operations. In addition to his policing experience, Professor Marsolais served as a director of national and international canine detection programs for a Washington-based security firm. Since the late 1980s, he has been involved in canine search and detection as a hander, trainer, and educator. He has direct experience with deploying canines to search and locate human remains, wanted suspects, contraband, lost persons, and disaster victims.

During this episode we take a deep dive into the
Brownell-Marsolais scale developed by David Brownell and Mark to evaluate SAR K9s to determine their suitability for their prospective jobs. The scale measures three components of prospective SAR K-9s

• K9 Sociability


• K9 Drive and Motivation


• K9 Nerve Strength

We use this episode to explore each component and how they are tested to determine a candidates suitability for SAR work.

If you are looking for a tool to evaluate prospective SAR K-9s this is the episode for you!

References mentioned during this episode:

Hunt-Find-Alert Facebook:
Hunt-Find-Alert:K9 SAR Community | Facebook

Ground Zero Emergency K9 Training: https://www.groundzerosaveslives.com/