KYK9 is taking their research on tour! For more information on how KYK9 can assist in the excavation/preservation of your archaeological project, contact us at Team@kyk9.org.

Abandoned Historic Cemetery. KYK9 helped descendants of search for human remains where an abandoned African American cemetery was believed to be located. The area had already been disturbed in the 1950s, but now new construction was threatening additional disinterment and disturbance. Partial remains of some bodies were successfully located and given to the descendants.

KYK9, working with Dr. Cheryl Johnston, Dr. Jules Angel, John Schweikart, and Sarah Freeman, found disarticulated human remains, helping close a criminal investigation into a missing person case. K9 Pocket found the scattered remains and K9 Wick was able to search and find the remains as well. Dr. Johnston conducted a forensic investigation of the remains as part of the criminal investigation surrounding the disappearance and death of this person.

In two searches this year, 10-15 archaeology volunteers helped KYK9 at search sites where K9 Pocket had indicated the presence of human remains. To find anything in these cold cases, we needed trained and educated eyes to sift through the dirt to find bones and other evidence.

KYK9 has been helping archaeologists ensure that a proposed road expansion in Ohio would not inadvertently disturb Native American burial grounds. The archaeologists had cleared the area using ground penetrating radar and other tools, finding no human remains.

In fall, the disarticulated remains of a person missing since early summer was discovered at the confluence of a large discharge ditch and a small river. K9 Pocket was asked to search the area for additional bones that forensically could assist prosecutors with their criminal case.

In the spring, K9 Pocket went to a water training seminar in Ohio where she worked with a member of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources who runs sonar for water recovery missions. In June, K9 Pocket went to Buffalo, NY, where she was re-certified in HRD water recovery on the bow of a U.S. Coast Guard cutter on Lake Erie. A very little dog on a very big boat; the crew thought Pocket was pretty cool. The feeling was mutual.

Born on St Patrick’s Day 2021, K9 Wick comes to us from K9 Pocket’s breeders Pat Wilcox and Laurel Seison. So, you might see a resemblance! K9 Wick came by his name honestly. While trying to name him, he kept doing things that made me proclaim, “He is so Wicked smart!”

KYK9 lost K9 Scout in January at the age of 16. K9 Scout was my devoted partner whose sense of adventure, tenacity, and intelligence inspired the creation of KYK9. She was my first search dog.

In spring, K9 Pocket went to a water training seminar in Ohio where she worked with a member of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources who runs sonar for water recovery missions.

We lost K9 Remy this February at age 15 after a short battle with cancer. We were heartbroken, especially K9 Scout. Scout and Remy were only 10 months apart and together were an incredible team. Remy taught us all so much and is with us on every search.