Category: <span>News</span>

Salsa

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 of 2008, after seeing this lively dog in action, SDF volunteer Kellee Matthews called the …

Riley

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 …

Pearl

Like many Search Dog Foundation (SDF) canines, Pearl’s early years were troubled ones. Her first owner wasn’t home much, so Pearl frequently would jump the fence of their home and go looking for fun. Inevitably, she would be picked up by animal control and after paying the “bailout” fee one …

Nino

Nino is an energetic Fox Red Labrador Retriever, and since he started on the path towards becoming a FEMA-Certified Disaster Search Dog, he has impressed everyone he’s met with his athleticism and drive.  “He’s everything you could want in a Search Dog,” said then SDF Canine Manager Karen Klingberg. Added …

Kari

Kari is SDF’s first Search Dog from the great state of Florida. She was discovered in the apartment complex of Naomi Greenfield, friend to then-SDF trainer Hope Blueberry. Naomi, on daily walks with her own dog, had noticed Kari, full of life and energy in a neighbor’s yard. Naomi noticed …

Jeb (2004 – 2016)

Jeb is a perfect example of finding the right job for a particular dog. He started his working career as a field dog, but his dislike for water and inability to mark made it hard for this Labrador to get the job done. His owner and trainer, Jerry Roellchen of …

Hayden

Ellen Perryess, a 9-year veteran volunteer for the San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Animal Shelter, learned about the Search Dog Foundation (SDF) from her friendand then SDF Canine Recruiter, Heidi Miller-Mercer. Heidi has been a canine evaluator for SDF for many yearsand was helping Ellen learn to evaluate shelter dogs …

Elvis

As an accomplished escape artist, Elvis was notorious in his previous family’s neighborhood. After a neighbor threatened to shoot the wandering Chocolate Lab, Elvis’ family decided they had to give him up. Elvis arrived at Santa Barbara Animal Care and Control in Santa Maria, CA in April of 2008 and …

Callie

Callie was born in November of 2004. She was one of many pups born to Meri Forman’s Juniper Ridge Labradors. Meri, Guide Dogs of America’s (GDA) Breeding Manager since 1994, has been raising Labs personally and professionally for over 20 years. Meri was aware of SDF for some time because …