Team Info
Task Force: Nebraska Task Force 1 (NE-TF1)
Level: DHS/FEMA Certified
Most Recent Certification: November 22, 2020
Search Dog Info
Breed: Yellow Lab
Sex: Male
Born: January 22, 2016
Sponsors: The Joel and Dena Gambord Family
Koda was recruited by retired Handler Jason Smith, an Oklahoma City firefighter and member of Oklahoma Task Force 1. A friend of Jason’s, and fellow firefighter, had adopted Koda from Oklahoma Lab Rescue several months earlier but when they found out their family was growing in size, Koda’s off-the-wall energy was too much for them. Jason evaluated Koda and offered to help him find a great career in search and rescue, to which the couple agreed.
Koda was flown out to California and was tentatively accepted into our training program. He was very young and immature, and SDF trainers weren’t positive that his over-the-top energy wasn’t puppy energy that Koda would outgrow. A Kern County firefighter named Mike Perry had been volunteering with our training team and agreed to foster Koda in his home with his family for a few months.
Quickly becoming a part of the Perry family’s household, Koda loved playing with Mike’s kids and benefitted from the one-on-one attention and structure they could provide. When he was old enough, Koda returned to SDF’s campus and upon further evaluation, was officially accepted in our training program.
It didn’t take long for our training team to see the physical changes in Koda as they watched him proudly trot off the rubble pile, a well-deserved toy in his mouth signifying a job well done.
SDF Canine Care Specialist Monica Patrick said, “Koda is very eager to please and always happy. He’s a love bug and a cuddler. I love that dog.”
As graduation approached, Mike came to help train the candidates one last time. He spent the night in our Handler’s Lodge and had a sleepover party with Koda; one final guys’ night. The next morning, Mike left this hand-written note: “To Koda’s future Handler, Koda continues to show tremendous growth… he has stolen a huge piece of who I am. I am beyond excited for the person who gets to be his Handler. Best of luck to you and my boy, Koda!”
Koda graduated from our training program on October 26, 2018, and partnered with a California task force member. Unfortunately, that handler did not continue in the program long-term and Koda was returned to our campus to be partnered with a new handler.
On August 28, 2020, Koda was paired with veteran SDF Handler Mark Schroeder of Nebraska Task Force 1. Mark knew from the first moment of the Handler Course that Koda was the dog for him—another yellow Lab to add to the family! The team continued to train hard in preparation for FEMA certification, which would make them deployable when disasters strike across the country.
After lengthy delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark and Koda were able to secure a spot to test their skills at the federal level and ensure they met standards to deploy with the task force when disasters strike. The team achieved certification with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in November of 2020.
In his first year as a certified search dog, Koda has deployed three times!
- May 20, 2021 – Missing Person Search – Papillion, NE
- August 5, 2021 – Missing Person Search – Omaha, NE
- August 27, 2021 – Hurricane Ida – New Orleans, LA
Koda joined Mark at home as the third SDF-trained search dog to join his family. Mark plans to retire from disaster search, with Koda by his side, when they both finish a successful career together as a search team.
We are so grateful to Oklahoma Lab Rescue, Lieutenant Jason Smith, and the Perry family, who helped Koda find his renewed purpose in life as a thriving disaster search dog!