Guiding Lights of Hope: Bring Your Own Dog Wash and Their Life-Saving Mission
When you walk into Bring Your Own Dog Wash (BYOD) in downtown West Plains, you might expect a friendly grooming shop—and you’d be right. For six years, BYOD has been a trusted spot for pet owners to keep their dogs clean and happy. But behind the suds and smiles is a story of courage, commitment, and community impact that reaches far beyond downtown.
From Dog Wash to Disaster Response
Melissa Forester, owner of BYOD, is not only passionate about pets—she’s one of the co-founders of a specialized K9 Search and Rescue (SAR) team. This volunteer team trains dogs for critical disaster response operations, including:
Human Remains Detection (HRD): Locating deceased individuals in disaster zones or crime scenes, bringing closure to families.
Area Search: Covering vast wilderness or storm-damaged areas to find missing persons.
Trailing: Following scent trails to locate individuals who have wandered or gone missing.
Urban Disaster Search: Detecting survivors trapped under rubble after structural collapses.
Gun & Article Detection: Assisting law enforcement by locating firearms and personal items that can provide vital clues.
These dogs extend human capability in chaotic environments—turning despair into direction and chaos into clarity.
Why It Matters
In moments of crisis, time is everything. SAR dogs can detect scents invisible to humans, navigate dangerous terrain, and guide rescuers to those who need help most. Beyond their technical skill, these dogs offer emotional comfort to survivors and responders alike.
Melissa shares, “The most rewarding part of this work is knowing that our efforts bring answers in the most uncertain, painful moments. Whether it’s finding a loved one alive or helping a family recover remains, every deployment matters.”
Community Connection
BYOD isn’t just about rescue work—they’re deeply rooted in downtown life. Melissa and her team host community education events, live demonstrations, and meet-and-greets to show the incredible skills of SAR dogs. These events inspire future volunteers and strengthen the bond between the team and the people they serve.
For everyday pet owners, BYOD partners with Complete Canine Academy, offering professional training programs from basic obedience to advanced skills—keeping the focus on SAR while still supporting local families.
How You Can Help
The SAR team operates entirely on volunteer power and never charges for searches. Community support makes their mission possible through:
Volunteering: Assist with logistics, fundraising, or training exercises.
Donating: Help cover training, certification, veterinary care, and specialized equipment.
Spreading Awareness: Share their story, invite them to events, and educate others.
Partnering: Businesses can sponsor gear, provide training spaces, or collaborate on outreach.
Melissa sums it up best: “Our dogs are guiding lights of hope. Their courage fuels ours, and together, we turn chaos into clarity.”
If you are interested in supporting this mission, email melissa Forester at byoddogwash@gmail.com.
