National Search Dog Alliance
1302 Waugh Drive, Suite #121
Houston, Texas 77019

Hernandez Canine Sponsorship

The National Search Dog Alliance has again received a sponsorship from Kai Thompson Hernandez in honor of her deceased husband, Glen Thompson, who was a victim of the attack on the World Trade on September 11, 2001.  On that date, foreign aggressors attacked the United States of America.  Over 2,900 people died in the World Trade Center in New York City. 

Kai watched as searchers worked tirelessly for weeks on end.  She was especially touched by the working canines and their handlers.  This inspired her to do what she could to help further the work of these Search and Rescue specialists. 

Since that time, Kai Thompson Hernandez has assisted the canine community by supporting the purchase of dogs specifically for Search and Rescue.  In 2007 she teamed up with the National Search Dog Alliance.  Together the NSDA and Mrs. Hernandez created the Hernandez SAR Dog Sponsorship. 

“I am so happy to be able to help out again this year with another NSDA SAR dog sponsorship,” said Mrs. Hernandez.

This backing will assist a Search and Rescue Canine Handler, or prospective handler, with the costs of obtaining and training a search and rescue canine.

Applicant must:

1. Be a member of NSDA.  (The dog will be signed over to the individual.)
2. Agree to train the dog for Area Search/Air Scent, Disaster or both.
3. Agree to seek acceptable Canine Certification within two (2) years of receiving the dog.
4. Agree that, if the recipient stops participating in Canine SAR within four (4) years of receiving the dog or fails to continue to meet the sponsorship requirements, they will notify the NSDA.  The breeder and/or sponsor will have the right to request the dog be returned.
5. Agree to be bound by the breeder’s contract, if any.

Closing date for receipt of application is 31 August 2009.  Applications received after this date will not be processed.

Hernandez Sponsorship Guidelines

1. There shall be a NSDA member appointed by the President to act as Sponsorship Coordinator and liaison with Kai Hernandez.
2. During the first week of June of each year, the Sponsorship Coordinator will contact Mrs. Hernandez and verify that she wishes to continue the sponsorship and the funding levels.  This may take place prior to June, however not so far in advance that a significant time lapse is encountered.  The Sponsorship Coordinator will have the notice of sponsorship released to the membership during June of each funded year.  The notice and application shall be made available via the NSDA web site and the newsletter. After the sponsorship notices are released, the Sponsorship Coordinator will request the funding from Mrs. Hernandez.
3. The applications shall be sent to the Sponsorship Coordinator.  The closing date for applications will be 31 August of each sponsorship year. 
4. The President and Sponsorship Coordinator may select up to two others in addition to the Sponsorship Coordinator to review the applications and select the recipient. 
5. The recipient shall be notified prior to 9/11.  Mrs. Kai Hernandez shall be notified of the recipient prior to the public release .  The public release shall be made on 9/11 of each year.
6. The recipient may select a dog or puppy of any breed that is appropriate and generally accepted as suitable for Search and Rescue.
   1. The recipient must supply the Sponsorship Coordinator with an invoice that shows the vendor with name, address and contact information, and
   2. The type of dog or puppy, the cost of the dog or puppy, and whether the dog or puppy was delivered.
   3. If payment is to be made directly to the recipient, the recipient must provide proof that payments were made to the vendor and of the amount.
7. The recipient shall be instructed to keep the Sponsorship Coordinator advised as to the status of their progress in selecting a suitable dog.  Once a dog or puppy is selected, the recipient shall notify the Sponsorship Coordinator of the selection.  It is preferred that any payments be made directly to the vendor supplying the dog or puppy.  However, in light of the fact that not all breeders or other outlets will accept payment from third parties, the following conditions must be met in all cases:
8. Upon receipt of the required paperwork the Sponsorship Coordinator shall review the documents and ensure that they are complete and meet the requirements for the sponsorship.  Once the Sponsorship Coordinator is satisfied, he or she will send copies of the paperwork to accounts payable for NSDA along with authorization to pay the vendor or recipient as appropriate.  The invoices will then be paid as appropriate. 

The Sponsorship Coordinator will also be responsible for sending periodic updates and information regarding the recipients to Mrs. Hernandez.  The Sponsorship Coordinator will also forward updates on the dog’s progress to be included in the NSDA Newsletter and placed on the Website.