Mason-Dixon Rescue
Dogs, Inc.






"That Others May Live"




Board of Directors:
  • Lisa Kakavas, President
  • Kristyn Kelsch, Vice-President
  • Sharon Ballweg, Treasurer
  • Donna Martin, Secretary
  • Linda Swenson, Member at Large

Who We Are

Our Mission: Mason-Dixon Rescue Dogs provides competent, professional K9 Search and Rescue teams to respond as requested by Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue, or other Responsible Agencies for strategic and tactical deployment, and to assist with the rescue/recovery of missing/lost persons and/or evidence recovery.

Our Team


Lisa Kakavas
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Operational
K9(s): Zildjian, Operational HRD
Learn more about Lisa



 Sharon Ballweg
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Operational
K9(s): Titan, In Training; Miko,
Operational Area (Live) and HRD & Hemi (Retired)
Learn more about Sharon



 Charlie Pendorf
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Operational
K9(s): Kort, Operational Area (Live)
Donna Martin
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Operational Flanker
K9(s): Owen, In Training




 Ed Benesch
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Operational Flanker
K9(s): Wolf, In Training
Learn more about Ed



 Hope Fink
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Operational Flanker
K9(s): Lucy, In Training
Learn more about Hope
Diana LaClair
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Operational
K9(s): Cricket, Operational Live
Learn more about Diana



 Linda Swenson
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Operational
K9(s): Sabre, Operational HRD & Baron, Operational Live




 Mike Calkins
Position: Full Unit Member
Status: Operational Flanker
K9(s): Gracie, Retired
Learn more about Mike
Cheryl Andrews
Position: Full Unit Member
Status: Operational Flanker
K9(s):
Learn more about Cheryl



 Kristyn Kelsch
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Operational Flanker
K9(s): Ginger, Operational Area (Live)
Learn more about Kristyn



 Marci Thomas
Position: Full Unit Member
Status: Operational Flanker
K9(s):
Learn more about Marci
Stuart Thomas
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Operational Flanker
K9(s): Tucker, In Training
Learn more about Stuart



 Nicky Lewis
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Operational Flanker
K9(s): Remy, In Training




 Angel Weigand
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Trainee
K9(s): Reef, In Training
Suzanne Berger
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Trainee
K9(s): Bernie, In Training




 Riley Grant McAuley
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Trainee
K9(s): Rory, In Training




 Chris Collins
Position: Trainee
Status: Trainee
K9(s):




Garry Collins
Position: Trainee
Status: Trainee
K9(s):




Charlie Zuby
Position: K9 Handler
Status: Trainee
K9(s): Scout & Recon, In Training




 This could be you!
Position: ?
Status: Trainee
K9(s): ?, In Training
Learn more about joining!