VIDEO: Colleen Leon's love for horses started out as a hobby, but today, her animals help her give back.
"We are mounted search and rescue units. We are deployed by the Pima County Sheriff's Department," said Leon.
Leon is a founding member of Southern Arizona Mounted Search and Rescue (SAMSAR). Several local horses, mules and their owners volunteer their time to respond to searches and rescues in the desert.
"We can get four call outs in a day, once a week, or once or twice a weekend. Especially when the rains start coming, people want to get up to Seven Falls to play in the water," said Leon. Horses and mules are an incredible asset to any search and rescue team. Their ability to transport an injured person saves time and reduces risk. "The fastest way to get out of a canyon is a helicopter. The second fastest way to get out is on an equine...a horse or a mule," said Southern Arizona Mounted Search and Rescue volunteer and founder, Jerry Simmons.