Welcome to B.A.R.K San Juan's

Bristlecone Avalanche Rescue K9's Inc. (B.A.R.K.)

B.A.R.K. is a non profit organization established in 2016 to provide trained Avalanche Rescue Dogs to respond when needed to an avalanche scene.  B.A.R.K San Juan's is based with the Purgatory Ski Patrol and able to respond via helicopter, snowmobile, snow cat or any other means of travel, to the San Juan Mountains for a rapid response. Speed is crucial in avalanche rescues with minimal chances of survival if victims are buried for 30 minutes or more. A trained avalanche dog can search the area of a foot ball field in five or ten minutes.  It would take a probe line of 50 people to search the same area several hours. When 30 minutes can make the difference of life or death to a buried person on a snowy mountain, most people would bank on the dog. 

The funds and donations B.A.R.K raises are spend entirely on the dogs.  The handlers do not receive any personal compensation for their time or gear. We get paid in licks, pride and loyalty from our furry partners.   Examples of the expenditures B.A.R.K. provides are veterinary bills, cost of the classes (each class can be $500-$800.00 per session) and uniforms/supplies for the dogs to name a few.