When an avalanche hits, every second counts, and a trained nose can search the ground in ways no human search party can alone. That's where Grand Targhee Avalanche Dogs (GTK9) comes in — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed by Grand Targhee Ski Patrol in 1993, pairing dedicated handlers with dogs trained to sniff out victims buried in the snow.
Kelsey Patterson and her Labrador Retriever, Ripple, are one of GTK9's certified teams, cleared through rigorous testing to answer the call when it matters most. Ripple lives for the search, and it shows. She also loves swimming, fetch, tug, and getting chased around the base area, with snacks as her ultimate reward. Kelsey has shaped that drive into discipline, teaching Ripple to ride chairlifts, load onto snowmobiles, and stay calm through the unknowns of a real search. Together, they show what it takes to be ready in an instant.
Ripple isn't the only one on the mountain. GTK9's roster spans every stage of training, from puppies just starting out to validated teams already answering the call alongside their handlers. It takes a big roster to keep Grand Targhee covered season after season.
Rescue work demands a lot from a dog's body: endurance for long days on the mountain, the muscle to power through deep snow, and steady energy in any conditions. That's true for Ripple, and for every dog on the GTK9 team. Kelsey trusts Nulo's high-protein, low-carb recipes to help meet those demands, so Ripple and her teammates can stay focused and ready to work.
The following teams make up the GTK9 team for the 2026–2027 winter season: Kelsey Patterson & Ripple, Casey O'Connor & Mikko, Casey O'Connor & Boone, Joe Calder & Calvin, Becca Parkinson & Ada Bean, Dan Hays & Nugget, Jenna Burkey & River, Mary Wolfe & Mochi, Leah Kapeller & Tuna, Roy Temple & Pepper
