Your placenta is such an incredible organ! Your body begins creating this organ in the early weeks of pregnancy, and is fully functional at 12 weeks. The placenta is your baby’s connection to your blood supply, allowing for the exchange of nutrients and waste materials, The placenta is not a filter, as it does not retain the waste materials, rather shunts them into your body for excretion. We now know that the placenta also produces hormones such as oxytocin, progesterone, estrogen, and relaxin.

With all of this in mind, many people do not want their placenta (their baby’s lifeline) simply disposed of as medical waste. Some choose to consume it to replace nutrients and hormones lost during delivery, others bury it to fertilize a plant or tree. But what if you don’t want to, or are unable, to do those things? You can donate your placenta!

I have collaborated with South Carolina K9 Search Team to make this an easy process! I was honored to attend a training day with the team. It was absolutely fascinating! I hope these photos can show you a glimpse of my experience. Read on after the photos to learn more about this organization and how placentas are used to train HRD dogs.

What areas does SCK9ST serve?

South Carolina K9 Search Team (SCK9ST) primarily works in South Carolina and Georgia, but will go anywhere we are called by an official agency. We have worked at or been called to everything from a suicide, drowning, or missing person, to a plane crash and Hurricane recovery mission.

How many dogs and trainers are a part of SCK9ST?

SCK9ST currently has 3 K9 handlers and 4 K9s. There are quite a few requirements that must be met by both the handlers and the canines to become a member of the team. We work and train with other search and rescue (SAR) groups and teams whenever possible. All 3 members of SCK9ST (and their canines) are also members of the Georgia Body Recovery Team (GBRT).

How long does it take to train a HRD dog?

Before becoming a K9 handler, one has to become a SARTECH II through the National Association of Search and Rescue. You would also need to take FEMA classes, First Aid, CPR, Navigation, and many more.

Training your K9 partner and learning to “read” your K9 will take a couple of years on average. You and your K9 must be certified by a national organization every 1-2 years and keep detailed records of the hours you train with and without your canine. You must also keep detailed records of every search you go on. These records must be kept for court if you are called as a witness.

How is a donated placenta used?

Donated placenta is a very important tool necessary for training cadaver dogs. Unlike drug or explosive dogs, cadaver dogs have 470+ odors they must master. Placenta has many of these odors combined and is a much need training aid. We use it sparingly and make it last as long as possible.

To donate your placenta, contact me or SCK9ST directly. All that is required of you is a simple release form and to arrange pickup after delivery!