In the aftermath of a disaster, the best resource we have for locating survivors buried beneath the rubble or debris is a highly trained search dog. With training, patience, and love, these incredible dogs help save the lives of others— and they’re often found right in your community shelter or local rescue.
These traits are what we look for in our search dog candidates:
- High energy
- Obsessive, intense toy drive, even in new locations
- Friendly with people and dogs
- Fearless, brave, and confident in any environment
- Approximately 1 – 2 years of age
- Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, plus obvious mixes of those breeds
Upon passing our evaluation, dogs complete approximately nine to twelve months of training at SDF’s National Training Center, located in Santa Paula, CA. Then it’s time to go home with their new handlers and train together to achieve certification.
Once a team is certified, they still must continue training to maintain the focus, fitness, and skills necessary to be a canine disaster search team.
Help us find these special dogs their new “leash on life” today!
Please select the option that best fits your referral:
