In the summer of 2008, an SDF volunteer received word from a friend about a Labrador breeder in Central California who needed to place one of her puppies. The breeder had a reputation for producing high-drive field trial and duck hunting dogs – precisely the type of dogs who might make good search dogs.
The volunteer called SDF’s Canine Manager, Karen, to see if she was interested in a puppy. SDF does not usually accept puppies because personality traits are difficult to discern at that age, but upon learning this puppy was from champion field trial and duck hunting breeding, she felt his chances of completing training were better than average.
At the breeder’s, three black Lab puppies came charging out of the pen to greet them. Rex, a wild-eyed boy, running in circles and jumping, was singled out, and he went home with Karen to be fostered until he was old enough to be evaluated for search.
Karen played endless retrieving and tugging games at home with Rex, giving him loads of positive reinforcement. Rex went everywhere with Karen: to the SDF office, on her long canine recruitment trips up and down California, and to several SDF training events.
By November 2008, Rex was old enough to be evaluated. At the moment of truth, there was no doubt about this boy’s future as a search dog. Karen had to say goodbye to her wild little boy, but she left feeling confident that he would be successful.
In October 2009, Rex graduated from search dog training and partnered with Wade Haller of the Long Beach Fire Department, a first-time SDF handler. They trained intensively, and in April 2010, just six months after being paired, Wade and Rex achieved FEMA certification. Teams must undergo FEMA evaluations every three years to maintain their deployment-ready status at the nation’s highest level, so in February 2013 and again in January 2016, Rex and Wade attained re-certification.
Rex and Wade put their skills to use when they deployed on missions with California Task Force 5, based in Orange County:
- August 31, 2017 – Hurricane Harvey – Louisiana & Texas
- September 19, 2018 – Missing Person – South El Monte, CA
- January 8, 2019 – Mudslide – Montecito, CA
During each deployment, the team assisted citizens until the search ended, and rescuers were sent home to their own families. Wade consistently reported that Rex made him proud and did a great job in the field!
On December 3, 2020, Rex conducted his last official career search for the department and task force during a training at the Rio Hondo Firefighter Academy in Orange County. Wade’s family was there to watch, and his daughter Olivia had the honor of releasing Rex to search for Wade on his final official run. Rex, of course, located Wade quickly and gave a strong alert bark. When Wade opened the hide hole after some tugging, Rex climbed right in with his best friend!
Rex spent his retirement years as a beloved member of the Haller family in their Southern California home, and even gave pointers to his protégé Dallas, another SDF graduate, and Wade’s current certified canine partner.
On August 30, 2022, the time came to say goodbye to Rex and thank him for his service to the nation. He peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge at age fourteen with Wade at his side. We will honor Rex’s life and commitment at SDF’s Canine Memorial Wall.