During the International Masonichip Conference hosted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri and MoCHIP, specially trained Scent Dogs were brought in to demonstrate their superior search and recovery skills. Masonichip President, John W. Hess played the part of a missing person, leaving behind his wallet and a dental impression (the very same one used in the CHIP program) for three scent dogs of different breeds to use to locate him. John was sent on a half mile trek around the rural Grand Lodge campus, taking great care not to walk a direct path, stopping, backing up, going left and right until he arrived at his destination. To further test the capability of these scent dogs, a group of about twenty also took a similar path, spreading out far and wide, certain to mix their scent with that of our missing person. One challenge the dogs faced that was not part of the plan was the extreme winds and freezing rain, making their task all the more difficult as skin cells were displaced and spread quickly. In the end, the dogs, one hound dog, a german shephard mix and an enthusiastic jack russell terrier were undaunted in their mission, all finding our missing person--though Neal, the jack russel was the quickest to do so.

Here are some pictures of the dogs in action, taken from a crane, 45ft in the unstable air ...