Team Info
Task Force: California Task Force 1 (Los Angeles)
Agency: Los Angeles Fire
Level: Certified
Search Dog Info
Breed: Lab
Sex: Male
Born: August 22, 2020
Recruited from the Aberdeen Area Humane Society
Mason was found roaming the cold streets of Aberdeen, South Dakota when a good Samaritan discovered him and took him to the Aberdeen Area Humane Society. Mason was very well-behaved, so it was surprising to staff that he didn’t have an ID tag, and no one came to claim him. When shelter staff realized how much Mason loves to play with toys, they contacted SDF canine recruiters.
He was accepted into our training program in April of 2022, and soon became a staff favorite. Mason, who we lovingly called our “little circus dog” based on his talent for walking on his hind legs, had great intensity when working but was a cuddle bug on his off time.
On June 3, 2023, Mason was partnered with firefighter/paramedic Jacy Hernandez of Los Angeles Fire Department and California Task Force 1.
The team’s progress was impacted when Jacy sustained an injury, but once she recovered, they continued to train with their task force teammates with the goal to certify and become a deployable resource. On February 8, 2025, the team traveled to Riverside, CA, where they successfully achieved FEMA certification to deploy locally in Los Angeles and across the country as members of California Task Force 1!
This is the first major milestone for the team, who will now begin more advanced training to prepare them to go out the door during disasters.