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 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 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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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, …
