Team Info
Task Force: California Task Force 4 (CA-TF4)
Agency: Vallejo Fire Department
Level: In training to certify
Search Dog Info
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Sex: Male
Born: March 23, 2022
Recruited from South Utah Valley Animal Shelter
Sponsors: Beth and Greg Apke, Jill Bee
Tex was discovered wandering in Spanish Fork, Utah, by a good Samaritan who contacted South Utah Valley Animal Shelter. An SDF canine recruiter stopped by the shelter a few days later and noticed the spunky Lab. When the recruiter pulled out a tennis ball, Tex immediately began jumping in anticipation, and the recruiter knew Tex was a great potential candidate!
In training, Tex was a beast of a dog; he is very physical and loves to roughhouse. However, when it’s time to search, he displays excellent impulse control, offering a sit and focusing completely on the task. When he transitioned from searching barrel fields to searching rubble, Tex had no issues navigating the uneven and unstable terrain.
Training with Tex was always fun, as he brings enormous energy to everything he does. Although his handler will need to learn to work with Tex to contain his energy when appropriate, Tex is a stellar working dog, and we’re excited to see all he will accomplish as a certified USAR dog. Tex graduated from search training and was paired with Steven Thompson of the Vallejo Fire Department, California Task Force 4, on September 7, 2024.
Steven Thompson’s journey to becoming a canine handler began during his time in the Army Infantry. The camaraderie, challenges, and sense of purpose he experienced ignited his desire for a meaningful career. After serving four years, including a combat deployment, he knew he wanted to continue to challenge himself while making a positive impact. The fire service seemed like a natural transition, offering a unique blend of challenges and opportunities.
Steven’s passion for canine handling stems from his desire to help people, his love of dogs, and his belief in the power of human-animal bonds. “[Being able to] help someone in their time of need, my love of dogs, and the bond that I can have with them, being a canine handler fit my goal of becoming more prepared to assist in any situation.”
Steven learned about SDF through his wife, who had worked in animal shelters her whole career and had experience screening and placing dogs with SDF. After several years of experience as a firefighter, he felt ready to take on the challenge of becoming a canine handler.
Steven says his first impression of Tex was that he loved play more than anything else, and containing Tex’s excitement and energy was challenging. Steven says, “I had heard that Tex was a little difficult with listening to some handlers. Over the two weeks, Tex became more and more attentive to me, and I became more enthusiastic to work with him.”