In the world of search and rescue, every team member plays a crucial role, and some of the most extraordinary heroes have four legs and an incredible sense of smell! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Elise, a phenomenal K9 with an unwavering dedication to finding the lost.

Elise is a stunning Belgian Malinois, born on October 21, 2024. If you’ve ever seen a Malinois in action, you know they’re renowned for their intelligence, athleticism, and intense focus – and Elise embodies all these qualities!

Working alongside her dedicated handler,  James Aguilan, Elise is a certified trailing dog with the National Search and Rescue Dog Association (NSRDA). This means she specializes in following human scent trails, a critical skill in locating missing persons.

Elise’s impressive skills aren’t just natural; they’re the result of over 1000 hours of rigorous training! Her primary specializations include wilderness search and urban search, making her versatile in various challenging environments.

Her dedication has already led to significant success. Notably, Elise successfully located a lost hiker in Epping Forest in 2025, a testament to her exceptional abilities and relentless determination.

Described as high energy, focused, and determined, Elise boasts a strong work ethic and is highly trainable. She’s adept at working both on and off-lead and can follow scent trails across diverse terrains and in all kinds of weather conditions. Beyond her incredible nose, Elise also has a reliable alert behavior and is an excellent team player, working seamlessly with other search team members.

With a clean bill of health and all her vaccinations up-to-date, Elise is always ready for her next mission. Keep an eye out for more updates on Elise and James as they continue their vital work, bringing hope and help to those in need!