Team Info
Task Force: Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2)
Agency: Chesapeake Fire
Level: In training to certify
Search Dog Info
Breed: Mixed
Sex: Male
Born: October 29, 2020
Recruited from: Rescue Ranch, Inc.
Sponsors: Doris and Howard Busloff
Chirp was found as a stray and placed with Rescue Ranch Adoption Center in Yreka, CA. Coincidentally, the shelter had just received a gift box from our SDF recruitment team containing a variety of dog toys and instructional videos demonstrating how to screen for a potential search candidate. Using the toys and following the examples in the video, staff put Chirp through his paces, and based on his performance, it was clear this mixed-breed cutie might have what it takes to become a disaster search dog!
Once he arrived at our National Training Center, Chirp delighted the staff and trainers with his unique personality. He is a charming and snuggly boy in his downtime, but when he’s training, this pup is intense! He loves to bark when he finds his hidden person, and in his excitement, he makes a squeaking sound that helped earn him his unusual name. As Chirp progressed through the search program, he turned up the intensity of his rubble searches as well, impressing everyone with his ability to fly across the rubble pile as he strived to reach the victim as quickly as possible. Chirp graduated from search training and was partnered with Jeremy DeMott of Virginia Task Force 2 in November 2022.
As a child, Jeremy DeMott was dazzled by the sight of firefighters and fire trucks and dreamed of becoming a firefighter one day. While working at Lowe’s, he volunteered as a firefighter and attended college for fire science. As a volunteer, he began to enjoy helping his community and being part of a team. He also volunteered with the American Red Cross Disaster Services and met some local professional firefighters through that experience which kindled his passion for becoming a firefighter himself.
A lifelong dog lover, when his fire department presented an opportunity to become a canine handler, he took it. He learned about the SDF handler program from fellow teammates and SDF handlers Karen Meadows and Shawn Hall. From understanding what the canines do to posing as a “victim” in rubble searches to learning how to communicate and work with a canine partner, Jeremy says his journey to becoming a canine search specialist has been rewarding.
Jeremy said when he met his canine partner, Chirp, it was “love at first sight!” He knew Chirp would be the best fit for him as a partner when Chirp began to “only have eyes” for Jeremy and wanted special hugs after training and between rounds of exercises.
At home, Chirp has been a great addition to the DeMott family and absolutely loves the DeMott children. Jeremy says it’s gratifying to see a dog who started as a stray end up a search dog with his own family. Jeremy looks forward to continuing his journey with Chirp to become a certified canine team, help their community, and someday save lives.