Media
As featured on Ireland AM
On Saturday August 5th on Virgin Media 1 when we talked all things Mantrailing and Search and Rescue Dogs. We were so happy to be able to share some insight into the exceptional training and skills of these remarkable hounds🐕🦺.
We are passionate about spreading awareness and appreciation for these furry heroes who make the world a safer place and are so excited for the opportunity to do this on Ireland AM.
You won't want to miss this informative segment as we share our experiences, showcase how Mantrailing Dogs are trained, and shed light on the critical role of Mantrailing Dogs in search and rescue operations. 📺✨
Watch us on playback now!

INBTI (International Bloodhound Training Institute) Mantrailing Seminars
Hounds & Helis are proud to host Ireland's first INBTI Seminars. Our aim is to equip handlers, professionals, and enthusiasts with advanced skills and knowledge in Mantrailing training for search and rescue operations.

INBTI Seminar with Kevin Pirtle
Coming in September
Kevin Pirtle is an INBTI (International Bloodhound Training Institute) Mantrailing Instructor. He is also a Mantrailing instructor at AMPWDA (American Mantrailing, Police & Work Dog Association). Kevin is an active operational Mantrailing Dog Handler with his local Search and Rescue team as well as a professional firefighter and paramedic.
Kevin has trained under the instruction of Kevin Kocher, Opal Kocher, Cynthia Kocher and Terrie Clark.
We hare hosting two seminars with Kevin.
- The first is on Sept 8th and 9th is geared towards those training a Mantrailing Dog for sport. All levels are welcome
- The second on Sept 10th amd 11th is geared towards Search and Rescue Personnel with an operational Mantrailing dog or a dog in training.
Dog Handler places for the INBTI Seminar in Ireland sold out early this year. Limited spaces still available for spectators. To secure your spot and be part of this immersive event buy now!

INBTI Seminar with Monica Diaz
Coming in May 2024
Monica Diaz is a dog Trainer & behaviourist consultant and founder of DREAMCAN and DREAMCAN MANTRAILING, a mantrailing school.
Monica has many accolades to her name including;
- Mantrailing Instructor at the INBTI (InterNational Bloodhound Training Institute) since 2021.
- Mantrailing instructor for Law Enforcement, Firefighters, SAR, dog trainers and private people.
- Spanish translator of the mantrailing book: How to Train a Police Bloodhound , by Kevin J. Kocher.
- Author of the mantrailing blog: Diario de Mantrailing (In Spanish) .
- You Tube Channel: Mònica Díaz Trias - DREAMCAN.
We hare hosting two seminars with Monica.
- The first is on May 11th and 12th 2024 is geared towards those training a Mantrailing Dog for sport. All levels are welcome
- The second on May 13th and 14th is geared towards Search and Rescue Personnel with an operational Mantrailing dog or a dog in training.
Both dog handler and spectator places will go live soon. Join our waitlist and be the first to know when they become available!!

Search and Rescue Dogs - Training and Applications Workshop
January 2024
Search and Rescue Dogs - Training and Applications Workshop is a one day workshop , created with the aim of expanding your knowledge on the skills, knowledge and practicalities of working with search and rescue dogs.
This Hounds and Helis workshop will offer you practical in depth knowledge that will to optimise your skills during rescue operations, developed from a combined 30 years of experience and expertise in the business of search and rescue.
Meet The Team

Irene McCarthy - Killarney Mantrailing
Irene has been a dog trainer since 2017 after completing the Pet Dog trainers Course with Nanci Creedon at Creedon’s College in Cork. She set up Kerry Dog Training in Killarney soon after and has been running puppy and adult dog training classes as well as 1 to 1 training. Irene began Mantrailing with Hounds and Helis in 2022 with her beautiful Malinois Zeus and soon became addicted. She was so passionate about the benefits of Mantrailing for pet dogs that she set her heart on becoming an instructor. Once Irene completes her Mantrailing Global Instructors Course this September she will be running our Mantrailing Introductions and Progress Sessions in Killarney soon after.

Maeve McCluskey - Cork Mantrailing
Maeve studied Animal Sciences at St. John’s College and began working with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, primarily as a Dog Care Assistant and she now manages the Breeding Programme. Maeve's journey into Mantrailing began in March 2022, after she rehomed a reactive GSD pup named River. She started Mantrailing with River as it was one of very few activities suited to reactive dogs. That’s when she decided to became a Mantrailing Global Instructor to help dog owners like herself build confidence for themselves and their dogs, and to provide a fun inclusive outlet for the dogs.Maeve is one of our Cork Mantrailing Instructors and runs Introduction and Progress Sessions.

Jill Hyslop - Specialist Dog Trainer
Jill has been a professional dog trainer for 20 years. She studied animal welfare and behaviour with Edinburgh University, and went on to do post grad with Duke University on canine cognition & emotion. Jill established “The Dog Lady” training 15 years ago and since then Jill has continued to upskill (The IMDT, The school of Canine Science, Canine Principles to name but a few). A full member of the PPG, and the IVBA, Jill is passionate about delivering the best training possible to our pet dogs in effective and ethical ways. Jill believes that being a pet dog is the hardest job of all and works very hard to give families the best possible start with their new four legged friends. That is why she is the perfect woman to run our dog training classes!