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 visited the Canyon County Animal Shelter, the Idaho Humane Society, the Wood River Valley Animal Shelter, and McPaws Regional Animal Shelter.
Karen particularly enjoyed meeting Beverly and Michael Anderson, whose family had helped found the McPaws Regional Animal Shelter in McCall, Idaho. There they met a long-legged Black Lab/Hound mix named Fletch, who immediately caught Karen’s eye. That March, Fletch had been found wandering the streets of McCall. No one came looking for him, and with summer approaching, the chances of this dynamic dog getting adopted were slim.
They took Fletch into the shelter’s yard as the snow began to fall. Yes, snow in June! It was barely 30 degrees, but Fletch didn’t care–all this handsome boy wanted was the tug toy! Happily, Fletch’s hip and elbow X-rays came back looking great, and a local vet cleared him to travel to California by plane. This Idaho street urchin was on his way to a new career!
Fletch did very well in training at SDF’s training kennel in Gilroy, CA, graduating in nine months, and was paired with San Diego firefighter Brent Brainard in March of 2009. By June of 2010 the team had achieved FEMA Certification in Memphis, TN, and they re-certified June of 2013 in Virginia Beach, VA. Brent and Fletch continued to train daily to be ready at a moment’s notice should disaster strike.
Unfortunately Fletch developed a neurological disorder believed to be epilepsy. The unpredictability of his seizures made it unsafe for him to continue to work on rubble. He was retired from California Task Force 8 on December 1, 2014 as his seizures became increasingly uncontrollable on larger doses of medications. Sadly, Brent and SDF made the heartbreaking decision to let Fletch cross the Rainbow Bridge when it was determined that his quality of life was severely compromised. Brent stayed at his partner’s side until the end and we are comforted to know that Fletch is in a better place now. He lived a wonderful life with Brent and we all feel fortunate to have had him in our lives.