Sarge’s success story is one of true teamwork. This handsome Chocolate Lab was discovered at the Merced County Animal Shelter by a volunteer with Central Coast Labrador Rescue. A narcotics detection canine trainer named Julia Ford who lived in the area received a call from the rescue that they had …
Joey and Amber Garza had bought “Little Anne” for bird-hunting and as a family pet, but this fireball soon became too energetic for their lifestyle. When Joey’s work schedule changed, they decided she needed a new home. Joey found SDF online and called the office to talk to then-Canine Manager …
This huge, handsome Black Lab was rescued by Southern Oregon Humane Society’s “Saving Train” – a converted bus that travels throughout Oregon and California, picking up dogs and cats at shelters where they are destined for euthanasia and transferring them to their shelter in Medford, OR. It was clear that …
This Black Labrador began his career as a Field Trial dog, but it became clear early on that he was better suited for the field of search and rescue. At about 18 months of age, his owner, Janet Eisen, contacted SDF and let us know she had a potential candidate …
On May 28, 2021, our training team officially handed the leashes of five incredible search dog graduates to their new handlers. With COVID restrictions beginning to lift, our staff joined SDF Founder Wilma Melville in congratulating these teams on all the hard work and dedication needed to get to …
Moxie was surrendered to the Humane Society of Ventura County in Ojai when her original owner was deployed overseas. Within a day, the SDF office had received numerous calls about the petite black Lab that loved her toys! She did a wonderful job on her search dog candidate evaluation and …
On January 17, 2020, SDF lost an important part of our family when our very first volunteer, Rosemary Schumacher, passed away in the Ojai Valley she called home for much of her life. Rosemary led the charge alongside SDF Founder Wilma Melville, handwriting “thank you” letters, processing donations, and …
Originally named Unity, this Black Lab had been bred and raised as a companion dog for the organization Guide Dogs of America, but had too much energy and spunk for that line of work. In February 2008, after seeing this lively dog in action, SDF volunteer Kellee Matthews called the …
