Rebar began life as a service dog trainee with Retrieving Freedom, a nonprofit that places service dogs with disabled veterans and children with autism. (His unique name came from the steel company that sponsored his training at Retrieving Freedom.) While Rebar was still a puppy in a volunteer foster home, …
The Fall Bark Alert magazine has arrived! As we celebrate how it all began, take a look back at pictures from the early days of SDF, join us in honoring teams who served at 9/11, and learn the ins and outs of partnering a successful search team. Also inside: exclusive behind-the-scenes shots of our canines in action and follow-up stories on some of …
Born on October 1, 2007 to a breeder in Northern California who named him “Mojo,” this adorable Yellow Lab had been purchased by an elderly couple looking for a quiet family companion. Unfortunately, a short time after welcoming Mojo into their lives, the couple started facing some medical issues which …
Five SDF-trained search teams deployed, along with at least 18 state and federal task forces from across the country, to assist in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ida, which made landfall on August 29, 2021, as a deadly Category 4 hurricane. Devastating damage and ongoing flooding have left many communities …
Following a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the island nation of Haiti on August 14, 2021, U.S.-based task force USA-1 (Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department) has deployed to assist with search and rescue operations, including four canine disaster search teams. Among the two- and four-legged rescuers is an …
Rosie was donated to our program by long-time SDF volunteer Katherine Timmerman of Sacramento, CA, who evaluated Rosie after being contacted in July of 2011 by a divorcing couple who were unable to keep her. A 2-year-old Yellow Lab, Rosie was described by Katherine as having “a very strong play …
