In late 2005, after receiving a letter from SDF volunteer Jeff Pepper introducing SDF to Homeward Bound Rescue and Sanctuary, their staff and volunteers kept a look out for canines with Search Dog potential. Weeks earlier, a Golden Retriever that Homeward Bound named Baxter was found wandering the streets of …
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 Karen …
On February 16th, SDF opened its gates for our first-ever US&R Live Find training workshop open to all U.S. canine handlers! We welcomed handlers from task forces located in California, Florida and Nebraska for two days of disaster search exercises that challenged both handler and canine equally. In the …
In late 2008, Stella, a powerful female Black Labrador Retriever, came to Sundowners Kennels in Gilroy, CA for obedience training. Her owner, Kerry Holden, needed help learning to handle this rambunctious and rowdy girl. SDF’s Search Dogs were all trained at Sundowners and this was surely the best place to …
When Kim Thompson, Adoption Coordinator at the Butte Humane Society in Chico, California, first met Spuds (a.k.a. “Potato Head”) in 2007, she saw his non-stop drive, intensity, and athleticism. She sensed that despite this young Yellow Lab’s goofy awkwardness, he might have what it takes to become a working dog, …
Cadillac was born in December of 2004 into a litter bred for Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). Puppy raiser Michelle Bennett’s family fell in love with the black Lab, embracing his exuberant personality. “Cadillac would get up in the morning with a look in his eyes that said, ‘this …
Paul, a smart, energetic Malinois mix, comes to us as a stray from the Charleston Animal Society in South Carolina, thanks to SDF Recruiter Charlie Freeman. When Paul, originally named Carlos, got off the plane at the airport, he acted as if he and our SDF Canine Care Specialist Jami …
One year after we were first able to return to campus and survey the damage, we are thrilled to share that the rebuilding of the parts of our campus that were burned has begun to take shape. Overhead view of Search City during construction. Flames crest the ridge of our …
Labeled an escape artist, Skye was discovered tied in a kennel at the Western Hills Humane Society in Spearfish, SD by Kellee Matthews of the South Dakota Canine Center. As Kellee approached Skye’s kennel, he exploded with energy and interest in the ball she was holding. Kellee evaluated the Border …
Congratulations to the Canine Disaster Search Teams who recently achieved Certification in California, New York, Oklahoma and Tennessee! October and December have been great months for SDF trained Search Teams testing for Certification and Re-certification. On October 27-28, five SDF-trained Search Teams achieved FEMA Certification for the very first time …
