In mid‑2024, somewhere in Ohio, a 10‑year‑old German Shepherd named Besa completed an extraordinary transformation. Under the caring guidance of handler Lt. Sarah Gentry of the Ohio Special Response Team—a volunteer search-and-rescue unit—Besa earned the United States Police Canine Association’s “Concealed Human/Human Trafficking” certification, the first dog in the nation to do so
A Dog Trained to Smell Hope
Besa had already mastered multiple search-and-rescue disciplines: disaster response, cadaver detection, and wilderness tracking. But the human trafficking qualification demanded new depths. She trained to detect live, hidden humans—whether sealed in cars, hidden in buildings, or enclosed in crates—without relying on a specific scent. Instead, Besa was taught to alert on any concealed human odor, a starkly different skill set.
Under the USPCA Lens: Rigorous Real-World Testing
The certification trials were intense. Besa faced timed tests across three scenarios:
Open fields with hidden people in crates,
Buildings with individuals concealed behind doors or furniture in multiple rooms,
Sealed vehicles, in which she had to pick out which cars contained hidden humans
In every scenario, Besa pinpointed the hidden individuals—sitting and barking to alert her handler—showing her unwavering skill and composure.
A Commitment Beyond the Badge
Besa and Sarah’s training didn’t stop after certification. They invest hundreds of volunteer hours, including weekly team sessions and daily individual drills on land Sarah purchased for training. As volunteers, they cover all expenses—training, travel, certifications—because they believe the work could save lives
Their readiness has already paid off. On one mission, Besa helped locate a missing five-year-old girl abandoned in a backyard, and in another, she detected a child hidden in a neighbor’s garage
Crucial Support in Anti-Trafficking
Beyond typical search-and-rescue, Besa now provides crucial support in anti-trafficking efforts, able to find people who might otherwise remain hidden and forgotten.
Speaking to the media, captain Alan Plastow of the Search & Rescue Unit said, “We send the dog out looking for [missing people] with either a scent article, something they’ve worn, or the dog will find anyone alive in a given area.
“Statistically in Ohio, an excess of 24,000 kids go missing every year. Are they trafficked? Nobody knows until we find them.”
In 2024, Plastow revealed how more than 400 people turned out victims of human trafficking survivors in Ohio, with the number this year so far standing at 23.
A Well-Earned Reward
Bessa was honored on April 6, 2025, at the I‑X Center during Cleveland’s Spring pet expo where she showcased her skills to the entire audience. She has also been awarded the Award for Canine Excellence in the Search and Rescue Dog Category, as awarded by the American Kennel Club Humane Fund, last December.
Speaking on the award Gentry said “It is an overwhelming honor to be chosen amongst such a great group of handlers and K-9s who are all deserving of recognition. Receiving this award helps validate the work we’ve done over the years and inspires me to work even harder.”
Besa isn’t just a certified K‑9—she’s a steadfast beacon in the fight against human trafficking. With every sniff and alert, she brings hope to the unseen, bravery to the frightened, and peace to those in danger. In a world shadowed by fear, Besa’s dedication reminds us: where courage meets compassion, even the smallest paws can leave the strongest mark.
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
