On November 12, 2022, our training team officially passed the leashes of four incredible search dog graduates to their new handlers. Friends, family, and SDF staff gathered to celebrate these teams on the hard work and dedication that got them to this moment and the beginning of their careers in service to the nation.
Thanks to you and your support, we are proud to introduce you to the two newest search teams to join our roster:
CALIFORNIA TASK FORCE 2
Derek Moree & Roma (Los Angeles County Fire)
VIRGINIA TASK FORCE 2
Chris Cook & Ridge (City of Suffolk Fire & Rescue)
Jeremy DeMott & Chirp (Chesapeake Fire)
Brandy Outlaw & Pluto (Chesapeake Fire)
Watch our Search Team Pairing Ceremony video here!
Now, they join the ranks of two- and four-legged heroes across the country who are ready to search for survivors in the aftermath of a disaster. In the next year, each handler and search dog will work together every day, honing their skills, growing their incredible bond, and preparing for certification to make them deployable with their fire departments and task forces.
And we have YOU to thank for helping to make it all “paws-ible.”
You have been with us every step of the way as our dedicated community, joining forces with us to help animals and humans in their time of greatest need.
Thank you to the following folks for helping us form these pairings:
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- Southern California Cat Adoption Tails for sending us Roma.
- Meg Kasdan for sponsoring Roma.
- Tooele City Animal Shelter for sending us Ridge.
- David and Barbara Barnhart for sponsoring Ridge.
- Rescue Ranch for sending us Chirp.
- Doris and Howard Busloff for sponsoring Chirp.
- Eric Darling for transporting Chirp.
- Nahikian Family Foundation and an anonymous donor for sponsoring Pluto.
- Larry Erdman and Richard Weiner for transporting Pluto.
