Meet the Handlers

To become a Handler you must be a member of one of the Island's Emergency Services that form the Isle of Man Search & Rescue Group (Police, Coastguard, Fire or Civil Defence). The IOM SAR Group is a member of The Mountain Rescue Council of England and Wales.

Handlers must have been a member of their service for a minimum of a year and demonstrate a high level of skill and experience in search and rescue work, including first aid, communications and navigation.

We also require a prospective handler to body for SARDA for a minimum of 6 months prior to taking on a dog.

We have a grand total of 2 handlers at present!

Matt Creer - Chairman & Dog Handler with Lola.

Matt and Lola, graded by SARDA Wales to Full Search Dog status in 2007, Matt founded SARDA IOM in 2004 and Lola was the first dog ever to be awarded search dog status in the Isle of Man.

Matt and Lola have had 2 finds since grading and have received an award from the IOM Constabulary in relation to one of those finds.

Jim MacGregor - Dog Handler with Star.

Jim and Star. Jim is an IOM Civil Defence Training Officer, Mountain Leader and keen fell runner. They attained Novice Search Dog status in Wales on 11th November 2007!