Team Info
Task Force: California Task Force 2
Agency: Los Angeles County Fire Department
Level: In training to certify
Search Dog Info
Breed: Labrador Retriever Mix
Sex: Female
Born: August 26, 2022
Recruited from a private donor
Sponsors: Paul W Kurzeka, Amy McMullen, Linda Heizer Seaman
Driven by a desire to be the helping hand his family once needed in emergencies, Dushone Roman joined the fire service to “be a person who would show up and help make their day better” when people were experiencing their worst moments.
While exploring various roles within the department, the position of helicopter crewman initially caught his eye. Although that path didn’t materialize, his subsequent interest, canine handling, proved to be incredibly fulfilling. Through his time on the USAR team, he learned about SDF, recognizing them as the source of exceptional training and advocacy for our canine partners.
Meeting his new canine partner, Toby, was an exciting experience. Dushone says he was “amazed by her energy and work ethic, but it was her loyalty that won me over.” From the very first day of the handler’s course, Toby and Dushone bonded, and Dushone knew he had made a new buddy. It was obvious to everyone else as well.
Dushone says his short-term goals with Toby involve building a strong partnership through dedicated training and time together. Looking ahead, his long-term aspirations are to become well-utilized as a certified search team and ensure that both he and Toby remain healthy and deployable.
Toby was purchased by someone who hoped to train her with his other dogs for bird hunting, but after starting his own business, realized he did not have the time to manage his household of dogs. Instead, he listed Toby for adoption in the local paper, where an SDF canine recruiter noticed the ad and reached out to set up an evaluation. Impressed by Toby’s nice temperament, drive, and love for the toy, he recruited “pocket rocket” Toby to join our program.
This little spitfire of a black Lab is a natural at hunting and loves to bark for her toy. She quickly progressed through drive work to search three barrels and continued to advance steadily, conquering large barrel fields before graduating to rubble. In addition to searching, she began learning foundational elements and was introduced to our daily fitness routine. Toby’s blend of intensity, collaboration, and intelligence is a dog trainer’s dream, making her a fun dog to work with. Her goofy personality, strong work ethic, and exuberance for life made her a kennel favorite.
Toby skyrocketed in all her training, paving the way for this clever girl to graduate search training in record time. Toby was paired with Dushone Roman of California Task Force 2 on April 5, 2025.