Called “Oscar” at the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society in South Dakota where he was discovered by Tim and Kellee Matthews of the South Dakota Canine Center in late 2012, Decker had already spent nearly seven months in the shelter in the hopes of finding a forever home. Because Decker was surrendered to this shelter on two occasions – the first time due to a divorce and the second time because the family could not handle his unexpected growth and energy – the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) is thrilled to have helped turn this rescued canine into a rescuer!
When Kellee Matthews found Decker in the shelter she raved about his potential to SDF staff: “We adore this guy – he is a big, sweet, sweet boy. Decker’s drive is pure and honest. Underneath his drive and size, he is a big softie. He makes THE best eye contact and has a grace about his mannerisms that doesn’t quite seem to match his appearance. I’m guessing Decker has led a bit of a tough life. He is reserved with his emotions, but very tuned in. He will blossom with some finesse in handling. For example – when we first started his evaluation – his joy for the toy was readily apparent, as was his desire to have us be a part of it – but the last foot or so of interaction was something he struggled with. He would bound around and around and around in this just out of reach zone, not out of naughtiness, but out of uncertainty, it seemed. After much coaxing to get him into arm’s reach, a frustrated ‘Oscar Sit’ slipped out one day and his whole demeanor changed to polite submission and a slow, deliberate collecting of his rear end and placing it on the ground. Ahhhh – we just had to ask!!”
In January of 2013 he was flown to SDF’s National Training Center (NTC) in Santa Paula, CA, where he began his formal training program and was re-named “Decker” in honor of Erik Nagy, a designer of the NTC. He made fast and deliberate progress under the tutelage of SDF’s training team. Described in jest as “half-lab, half-giraffe” by one of SDF’s trainers, this long-legged Search Dog was a driven, fearless old soul in training. His once unruly impulses became more controlled, he never tired, and he sought to please.
Because of Decker’s determination to actually dig a victim out of rubble in training, SDF trainers had to make it impossible for him to reach them by adding doors that lock in place! The wanted result of him barking instead of digging was then finally achieved. Furthermore, SDF’s Master Trainer Sonja Heritage reported that “his drive is pure and unstoppable” – characteristics of the perfect Search Dog!
On December 11, 2013, Decker was partnered with Engineer/Paramedic Tracy Christensen of Utah Task Force 1. Together the team passed their Foundation Skills Assessment and were on the road to FEMA Certification, when Tracy decided that he was no longer able to continue with the Task Force’s canine program. Decker returned to the NTC and SDF trainers began to think about who would be a great fit for Decker’s personality.
They identified Brent Brainard, a veteran SDF handler with San Diego Fire-Rescue whose Search Dog Fletch had developed a medical concern that would require him to retire from California Task Force 8. Brent traveled to the NTC to meet Decker and see how they might get along.
Decker and Brent responded very well to one another and Sonja felt confident that they would make an excellent team out in the field. The partnership became official on June 13, 2014. For months the pair returned to the NTC regularly to work with SDF trainers in preparation for their FEMA Certification Evaluation, which they achieved in Virginia Beach, VA on November 1, 2014. Certification allows Brent and Decker to deploy with their Task Force anywhere disaster strikes in the United States.
The first call came on July 13, 2016 when a bluff collapsed in Del Mar, CA. A witness reported to authorities that they believed they had seen someone walking underneath when the hillside gave way to the beach below. Brent and Decker responded with teammates Aide Barbat & Sarge. They conducted a thorough and impressive search, and were able to assure others that no one was trapped alive under the debris.
In August 2017, Brent and Decker were deployed to Texas for Hurricane Harvey and then, only a month later in September 2017 the pair was deployed again for Hurricane Irma where they searched ensuring no one was left behind.
In January 2018, the small town of Montecito, CA, suffered a devastating mudslide following the Thomas Fire. Brent and Decker were deployed to search the wreckage and mud. It was a difficult deployment but along with 16 other SDF teams, they were able to help provide some comfort and closure to the families affected by this disaster. Brent and Decker most recently been deployed to Hawaii ahead of Hurricane Lane.