In mid-2024, a remarkable 10-year-old German Shepherd named Besa made history in Ohio. Under the guidance of her handler, Lt. Sarah Gentry of the Ohio Special Response Team, Besa became the first dog in the United States to receive the United States Police Canine Association’s certification in “Concealed Human/Human Trafficking” detection.
A Nose Trained to Save Lives
Besa was already an accomplished search-and-rescue dog, with skills in disaster response, cadaver detection, and wilderness tracking. But this new qualification pushed her training to a whole new level. Rather than relying on a specific scent, Besa learned to detect the general presence of hidden people—alive and concealed in places like vehicles, crates, and buildings—regardless of their scent profile.
Rigorous Testing and Unmatched Precision
To earn the prestigious certification, Besa faced intense real-world simulations, including:
- Locating people hidden in crates in open fields
- Identifying individuals concealed behind doors or furniture inside buildings
- Detecting humans sealed inside various vehicles
In each scenario, Besa flawlessly identified the hidden individuals and alerted her handler with a precise sit and bark—showing remarkable focus and reliability.
Going Above and Beyond
Earning the certification was just the beginning. Gentry and Besa continue to dedicate hundreds of unpaid hours to training. They meet weekly with their team and conduct daily drills on private land purchased specifically for their work. They cover all expenses themselves—fuel, travel, training, and gear—because, as Gentry puts it, “This work saves lives.”
Their dedication has already made a difference. On one mission, Besa located a missing five-year-old girl left in a backyard. On another, she helped find a child hidden in a neighbor’s garage.
Fighting Human Trafficking One Mission at a Time
Besa is now a vital part of anti-human trafficking efforts. Captain Alan Plastow of the Search & Rescue Unit explained, “We send the dog out either with a scent article, or she searches for any living person in the area. In Ohio alone, over 24,000 kids go missing every year. Are they trafficked? We don’t know until we find them.”
In 2024, more than 400 victims of trafficking were identified in Ohio alone, and Besa’s skillset has become a crucial tool in identifying more.
Honored for Heroism
On April 6, 2025, Besa was recognized at Cleveland’s Spring Pet Expo at the I-X Center, where she performed a live demonstration of her skills. She was also honored with the American Kennel Club Humane Fund’s Award for Canine Excellence in the Search and Rescue Dog category last December.
Reflecting on the recognition, Gentry said, “It’s overwhelming to be chosen among so many amazing handlers and K9s. This award validates our work and motivates me to keep going.”
A Symbol of Courage and Compassion
Besa is more than a search-and-rescue dog—she’s a symbol of hope and bravery. Every time she alerts, she brings someone closer to safety. In a world where human trafficking remains a hidden horror, Besa’s work reminds us that even the smallest paw prints can lead to life-changing discoveries.
