A BOXER CAN DO ANYTHING!!
MEET MARCO
AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB
ACE AWARD
HONORABLE MENTION -- SEARCH & RESCUE DOG
OWNERS -- KELLY & MARY JO TUCKER

Marco attained his international Pet Therapy certification and Canine Good Citizen titles before his second birthday. At the same time, he was working on his AKC championship, which he attained that year. He took Best of Breed at the Greater St. Louis Boxer Club’s Specialty in 2004. Marco gave the first Search Dog Demonstration at the Boxer Nationals in 2004, and again in 2005. He also completed his CD title at the Boxer Nationals in 2005.

Simultaneously, he was training to become an Operational Search Dog. This training starts as a puppy. Not all dogs can become a Search Dog. One has to have the proper play and prey drive. In other words, one has to want to do this type of work. Marco and his owner/trainer, Mary Jo Tucker, attended numerous trainings including many at Camp Attebury Air Force Base.

Marco is a trained Airscenting Canine, specializing in human remains detection, known as Cadaver Work. An Operational Cadaver Dog must be able to find scent above and below ground, as well as water search. He does it all very eagerly. He becomes very focused when given the “Search” command. He will not give up, no matter the conditions or how hot and tired he becomes. Mary Jo has to pull him out to rest, since he will not quit when he has a job to do.

Marco is a local hero in Effingham, Illinois, and is known to be a proven Cadaver Dog that the Police and Emergency Agencies trust. One example of his work was a call for help from Flora, Illinois. There had been a drowning. Marco is so respected, that as soon as Marco arrived, the Emergency Agencies and the Dive Team cleared the area for him. He and Mary Jo got into the boat and Marco was able to find the victim in a rural lake area within five minutes. Marco’s quick find saved the divers days or weeks of searching, but most of all, Marco gave the bereaved family closure in finding their loved one.

Because of Marco and Mary Jo’s efforts, the sheriff asked Mary Jo to start the Effingham County Search and Rescue Team, which was formed in September 2004. This elite K9 Unit and team of trained Illinois volunteers serve an 80-mile radius, which encompasses quite a large population. The team was activated seven times in their first year and five times already in 2006. This team continues to train with Mary Jo and Marco on a weekly basis. Part of the reason Mary Jo can make this big commitment to community service is Marco’s enthusiasm, which the team describes as “Christmas time for Marco, when he gets to work.”

Mary Jo and Marco are often in local parades where Marco instinctively leads Mary Jo to the children at curbside, especially those who are in wheelchairs or have cerebral palsy. He and Mary Jo will be the Grand Marshals at the local 4th of July Parade this year.