K-9 Team Members
Texas EquuSearch has maintained an active and operational Canine Division for over five years. Texas EquuSearch Human Remains Detection (HRD) K-9 teams are specially trained to locate human remains across a wide range of environments and conditions. These highly disciplined working dogs serve as a critical resource for search, recovery, and investigative support, operating in close coordination with incident command and partnering law-enforcement agencies.
Texas EquuSearch is currently seeking to expand the Canine Division by adding tracking K-9 teams to further enhance operational capabilities.
Brenda Peek is the Director of K-9 Operations for Texas EquuSearch and a K-9 handler with seven years of experience. She has been an integral part of TXEQ for more than five years, working alongside her black Labrador, K-9 Belle, and recently certified a second K-9, Tsunami, to further strengthen the team.
Brenda has built a highly respected K-9 division through extensive networking with established K-9 teams and handlers across the United States. Her strengths in canine planning, mapping, organization, and accountability reflect a high level of operational proficiency.
Brenda has assembled a highly capable and dedicated K-9 staff through strong leadership and careful selection. Known for maintaining exceptionally high standards. Brenda emphasizes discipline, preparation, and the time-intensive work required to ensure mission-ready performance.
Ashley Russell serves as Assistant Director of K-9 Operations and has also been a dedicated TXEQ volunteer for five years. Ashley is driven, dependable, and committed to excellence in K-9 operations. She balances ownership of her own business while volunteering her spare time at an animal rescue, reflecting her strong work ethic and passion for service.
Ashley is currently awaiting the arrival of her new K-9 partner, Codis, a black male Labrador who will be trained in human remains detection. Her leadership, eagerness to learn, and unwavering dedication make her an invaluable asset to the K-9 department.
Recently, TXEQ welcomed an excellent new team member, Hanna Wingard. A recent graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Animal Sciences, Hanna has brought strong organization and structure to the K-9 program. She plays an active role in coordinating and setting up daily K-9 training, and her educational background has been a valuable asset in enhancing training effectiveness and consistency.
K-9’s
K-9 Belle is a 5-year-old black Labrador Retriever specializing in Human Remains Detection (HRD). She is a highly experienced operational canine with a proven track record in real-world search and recovery missions. K-9 Belle has been directly involved in 12 confirmed recoveries, providing critical support to search operations across diverse environments and conditions. Her reliability, focus, and methodical search behavior make her a valuable asset during complex and emotionally sensitive missions. In addition to operational deployments, Belle has completed over 25 continuing education seminars and advanced training courses throughout the United States. Her extensive national training schedule has exposed her to a wide range of terrain, scenarios, and instructional methodologies—earning her more frequent flyer miles than most humans.
Despite her serious working role, Belle is known for her calm demeanor and sweet temperament. She is highly motivated, toy driven, handler-focused, and genuinely loves her work. Whether on a mission or off duty, Belle exemplifies the balance of professionalism, drive, and approachability that defines an exceptional working K-9.
Tsunami’s confidence and work ethic allow her to operate effectively in challenging environments, and her continued development reflects exceptional potential as a mission-ready K-9. Her drive, determination, and independence complement the team’s capabilities and strengthen overall operational effectiveness.
