Charity softball game goes to the dogs

WASILLA— The fourth annual Pro Sports Celebrity Charity Softball Game featured Alaska Solstice Search Dogs as this year’s beneficiary, supporting their efforts in searching for missing people across the state.

The Mat-Su Valley Alaska Solstice Search Dogs Team played against the Mat-Su Community All-Stars Saturday, June 26 at Bumpus Ballfields.

Iditarod icon DeeDee Jonrowe threw the first pitch and played out the rest of the game with the Solstice Search Dogs Team. She said that it was nostalgic coming back to have fun on the field.

“I feel like I’m coming home,” Jonrowe said.

Jonrowe is an active member of the Solstice Search Dogs with her rescue dog Phoenix. She stressed the importance of the program and how effective their highly trained animals are at finding and rescuing people in crisis.

“Fundraisers like this help us get first aid equipment, and some of the radios and support gear that we need,” Jonrowe said. “If your child is missing or your loved one is missing, you’ll want to know that these dogs have been trained very, very consistently.”

Phoenix was able to reunite with his familiar furry colleagues at the game. Alaska Solstice Search Dogs president, Stacey Kehne said they came there after a day of training so it was nice to be able to relax and mingle with the public. Dogs wearing their official gear gleefully barked to greet their canine companions and enjoyed all the free pets throughout the afternoon.

“I like this. This is a really fun thing for them,” Kehne said.

Vikki Gross, the treasurer said one of their teammates and their dog were part of the rescue effort that led to the missing Palmer woman, Fina Kiefer’s discovery.

“It was amazing that one of our members who found her on the road and brought her back,” Gross said.

Solstice embarks on an average of five to 10 searches each year, according to Kehne. She said the number varies by year, and they also investigate cold cases to find long-lost people or at least recover their remains to provide families with closure.

Gross said they started with about five members and managed to grow their total roster to about a dozen steady volunteers ready to drop what they’re doing to aid law enforcement and search parties whenever they get the call.

“It’s just what we do,” Gross said.

According to Gross, it takes about two years to certify dogs for search and rescue. She said it doesn’t stop there. Volunteers train weekly with numerous workshops, seminars, and special group exercises taking place throughout the year.

“They’re all competitions. They’re all our partners, not just working dogs… We have such a strong bond with our dogs,” Gross said. “They train their whole lives. You can teach an old dog new tricks. They always can learn something new… It always amazes me what they can find.”

Donations from the charity softball game will go toward Solstice training, equipment, and general operating expenses. They’re actively seeking volunteers to join their team or members of the public interested in helping them with their training.

“We’re always looking for people to hide for us,” Kehne said.

Those interested in supporting their nonprofit can make donations by visiting their website, through the Pick, Click, Give PFD program, or through Amazon Smile. For more information, visit alaskasolsticesearchdogs.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com