In June of 2008, Karen Klingberg, SDF’s then Program Manager, made her first trip to Idaho to look at a few canine candidates and build partnerships with shelters and breed rescue groups there. Guided by Jan Peterson and Nick Demarco, both puppy raisers for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), she …
On November 8, 2001, the world received the gift of a very special litter of Golden Retriever puppies. A man in upstate New York had bred the litter and was raising them to be hunting dogs. At seven weeks of age, two of the puppies–Sandy and Luke–were adopted by Bicky Townsend of …
Aspen, a male Yellow Labrador, was rescued by the Humane League when he was just a puppy and then raised by SDF supporters Jeff and Jill Wenig of Santa Paula, CA. The family had heard about the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) and knew something about the kind of …
Andy, a handsome Golden Retriever, came to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) by way of Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin (GRRoW). Andy had lived with two different families prior to ending up in a midwest shelter, because his energy and enthusiasm were more than either could handle. GRRoW …
Gator was one of a select few canines accepted to the Search Dog Foundation program as a puppy in the early 2000’s. He was donated by Mary Jane Hunt, a breeder from Florida—hence his name—and an acquaintance of SDF’s lead trainer at the time, Pluis Davern. As a breeder, Mary …
Girl was a German Wirehair Pointer, born on May 22, 2001 and donated to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) by Rhonda Ridgley of Daisy Dog Rescue in San Jose, California. She was a very stubborn and determined dog, and her intense toy-drive was an immediate draw for SDF …
Sandi, a male Border Collie born on December 5, 1998, was blessed with a great opportunity as a young dog: to train for the job of his dreams. He was first adopted as a pet from the Orange County Rescue Center by someone from Anaheim, California. It soon became clear …
Sometimes the path from shelter to Search Dog is an arduous one, with many dedicated people helping along the way. When a rescued dog concludes the first 30 days of training at Sundowners Kennels, it is cause for celebration! This is Rowdy’s story: from neglected stray to Search Dog in …
“The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent dog with strong guardian instincts. Australian Shepherds are delightful and loyal companions. They love to be part of the daily hustle and bustle. They diligently carry out their responsibilities. They are easy to train, and eager to please.” We don’t know a lot about …
Apr. 2000—Jan. 2013 The story of “Mace” began tragically. This Yellow Lab began his life in Fremont, CA, with an owner who abandoned him and, unbelievably, tied him to a railroad track. He was then sprayed with mace and left to die. He was found and taken to an animal …
