Julie joined MinnSARDA in 2003 and became mission ready September of 2004. She has worked as a Public Safety 911 Dispatcher with the Benton County Sheriff's Office since 1996 and has received additional training in Emergency Management, Communications and Incident Command. Julie is continuing her education by participating in classes thru NASAR, Canine Search and Recovery, Texas Alliance of Search K-9's(Task) and FEMA, among others.

Julie is the President of MinnSARDA and is frequently seen laying trails and setting up search problems for the other K-9 teams. She also maintains the MinnSARDA web site. Karma, is Julie's K9 partner. She is a sable East German Shepherd (DDR) pup out of working lines. Watch for Karma out in the field at unit trainings. Karma is just starting out in SAR, so check back often to watch her grow up. Julie's other working K9 is Kasha. She is a female Belgian Malinois whom Julie removed from SAR training because it was not a good fit. Kasha has her AKC/CGC and TDI. She visits schools and helps teach kids about dog safety and also volunteers her services at the VA in St. Cloud.