Category: News

News

Congratulations to the canine disaster search teams that have achieved certification so far in 2025!

So far, in 2025, 11 SDF-trained teams achieved certification, allowing them to deploy with their task forces when called upon to respond when needed.   Congratulations to the following teams who achieved certification together for the first time: Ivan Arredondo & Gizmo (California Task Force 8) Arby Fields & Greta …
Lifetime Care, News, SDF Features

Happy Tails – Cooper overcomes his painful past and finds joy with a loving family

Upon arrival at SDF's campus, potential candidates for our program undergo routine medical screening, which allows us to check each dog for possible health issues. In most cases, the medical tests reveal a healthy pup. In Cooper's case, however, we were shocked when we saw his X-rays—this tough boy had …
Rainbow Bridge

Merlin (2013 – 2025)

Merlin had been discovered in Northern California in late 2014, wandering the streets near the Oakland Coliseum. He was picked up as a stray and taken to the Oakland Animal Services shelter. No one ever came to claim him and he was not doing well at the shelter. He failed …

Lifetime Care, News, SDF Features

From search dog to snow dog: Raven finds fun and fulfillment in the Utah mountains

Raven was purchased by a family in Salt Lake City who hoped she would a make a good support dog for their child, but Raven’s rambunctious personality soon made it clear this was not her ideal role. Unable to handle her energy, the family placed an ad for Raven’s adoption. …
News, SDF Features

From troubled pasts to having a blast – Max and Chad are making the most of their second chances!

Because our canine candidates are often recruited from shelters and rescues, which themselves have limited information about dogs' pasts, we often don't know what our candidates' lives looked like before arriving at SDF. However, routine medical screenings can give us some insight from time to time, although sadly, it's not …
Deployment Reports, News, SDF Features

Search dog teams deploy to Los Angeles fires

  SDF-trained human remains detection (HRD) team Jon Munguia & Clifford of Los Angeles County Fire Department and live-find SDF-trained teams Josh Davis & Bosco and Garreth Miller & Reva of California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3), and Patrick Easton & Linus and Eric Lieuwen & Ridge of California Task Force 7 (CA-TF7) …

News, SDF Features

SDF’s Handler Training Program: Building the foundation of human-canine partnership designed to save lives

At SDF, we’re proud of our commitment to excellence in canine disaster search training. Crucial to this goal is our Handler Training Program, which was carefully designed to develop specific handler skills and an understanding of canine behavior while fostering a deep bond between human and canine partners. Unlike a …
Lifetime Care, News, SDF Features

Happy Tails – Valor Creates Community and Inspires Animal Ministry

We welcomed Valor to SDF in late 2019, from the San Clemente Dana Point Animal Shelter, but when routine medical screening revealed an elbow condition, he was released from SDF's training program and made available for career change or adoption to a loving home through our Canine Placement Program. Valor …
News, SDF Features

SDF supports 185 canine teams from 58 organizations through Search Team Fund benefits program

Did you know that besides providing resources and support to our SDF-trained teams, SDF also offers grants to other working dog organizations across the country through its Search Team Fund? These grants go towards training-related travel and equipment and veterinary care expenses so that more organizations can train and deploy …