In June of 2009, Hula, found herself in the Humboldt County Animal Shelter in McKinleyville, CA, picked-up as a stray. The shelter staff evaluated this energetic Catahoula and thought she might have some of the qualities we look for in a Search Dog. Hula’s evaluator had these things to say about her: “This is a very talented dog. Her high energy and focus are very extreme. She doesn’t care if a toy is in tall weeds, at the bottom of a gully or under our motor home – she finds it. Her determination is unbelievable.”
The shelter staff contacted SDF for a formal evaluation. Paula Carpenter, one of SDF’s trained volunteer evaluators, made the six-hour round-trip drive to evaluate this pooch. SDF received a phone call later that day saying that this dog was certainly worth another look. Arrangements were made for the dog to be brought to Redding, CA for boarding and another evaluation. After the evaluation, we determined this would be a fabulous candidate!
Hula was transported to Sundowners Kennel in Gilroy, CA for final evaluation. She passed with flying colors and began training immediately. After only six months of training, Hula was ready to meet her handler.
In January of 2010, Hula was partnered with Handler Patti Krafft, a Lieutenant with the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department. Hula has continued to sharpen her skills with Patti, and in December of 2010 they passedtheir initial State Urban Search and Rescue (SUSAR) Type II Certificationtest in Tulsa, OK. Then, on June 25, 2011, the team achieved SUSAR Type I Certification in Oklahoma City, OK, making them ready for any disaster where lives could be saved.
Pattie and Hula trained extensively through the years, constantly challenging their skills so that they would be ready, should the call ever come. Unfortunately, Hula never received a deployment. She was retired on June 25, 2014 and spent the rest of her years enjoying retirement and home life alongside Patti and her new search dog, Billy. Sadly, Hula crossed Rainbow Bridge on May 4th, 2015.