A dedicated search dog who has contributed to nearly 150 missions over the past decade has officially retired.
Millie, an 11-year-old Labrador, joined handler Darren Yeates and his family in 2013 as a puppy. From the start, she showed remarkable talent for search-and-rescue work.
“Millie was a natural,” said Mr. Yeates. “We’ve developed an incredibly strong bond—something only a working dog handler can truly understand.”
Over the years, Millie has assisted in lowland search operations for police forces across Wiltshire, Sussex, Dorset, Surrey, and Kent. According to Mr. Yeates, who lives in Worthing, their connection was so strong that communication was almost instinctive.
“I can tell what she needs, and she knows where I want her to go,” he explained. “If you watched us work, you’d probably be surprised by how little I have to say.”
Mr. Yeates balances his voluntary search-and-rescue work with a day job. He noted that many searches involve finding individuals with dementia or those unaware they are lost, while others are more somber missions to bring closure to families.
“One of the hardest aspects is searching for those who have passed away,” he said. “But being able to help families find closure is incredibly important.”
Millie and Mr. Yeates recently participated in a significant multi-team search in Wiltshire, an experience he described as “humbling.”
“In a world of tech and drones, a dog is still irreplaceable in thick woodland. One dog can do the work of 20 human searchers,” he explained.
Millie will now enjoy her well-deserved retirement at home, though Mr. Yeates admits it will be bittersweet heading out on searches without her.
“When the callout alarm sounds, she’s always been there—staring at me with those eyes, ready to go,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mr. Yeates is training Koda, Millie’s successor, who has also joined the family.
“Teaching Koda is like transferring all of Millie’s knowledge to a new, very different dog,” he shared.
Reflecting on his time with Millie, Mr. Yeates expressed his pride.
“She has been an extraordinary partner—intuitive, caring, and always in tune with what I needed. She’s truly earned her retirement.”