Sometimes the path from shelter to Search Dog is an arduous one, with many dedicated people helping along the way. When a rescued dog concludes the first 30 days of training at Sundowners Kennels, it is cause for celebration! This is Rowdy’s story: from neglected stray to Search Dog in the making.
In August of 2007, then SDF Canine Manager Karen Klingberg was traveling the length of California seeking potential Search Dogs. One stop was at Calaveras County Humane Society in Lodi, where Bark Force member Ellen Endres brought to Karen’s attention a young dog she had in mind for SDF’s program. Unfortunately, during the evaluation the dog showed no toy-drive, so Karen thanked Ellen for trying, and told her he would make a nice pet for someone.
Ellen couldn’t find a home for the dog. She sent him to the San Francisco SPCA where more people would see him, but still no one was interested. The SPCA staff became concerned that he was developing an unhealthy possessiveness with his toys. They returned the dog to Ellen, who sent him to Margaret Blair of Twin Cedar K-9 for obedience training.
Unaware of SDF’s earlier attempt to recruit this dog, in October of 2007 Margaret called us to say she had a potential Search Dog. SDF trainer Sharon Hanzelka visited Twin Cedar K-9 and determined the dog was definitely SDF material! She brought the dog to Sundowners Kennels, and it was agreed he was a keeper.
And so this young and energetic Border Collie mix, now appropriately named Rowdy, began his Search Dog training. When Ellen called Margaret and found out the dog had been placed with a Search and Rescue group, she called SDF and confirmed that the same dog that had failed his evaluation in August was now in formal training at Gilroy!
Rowdy did well during training and was paired with Sacramento City Fire Department Captain Dave Stoddard in January of 2008. As a Search Team Manager for California Task Force 7 based in Sacramento, Dave had experience in Urban Search and Rescue, but being a canine Handler would allow him to develop a new and challenging set of skills.
Dave and Rowdy worked consistently and first became FEMA Certified in December of 2009. The team re-certified in Boston, MA in June of 2012, maintaining their eligibility to be deployed anywhere in the United States that disaster may strike.
Sadly, the search world lost Rowdy unexpectedly when he crossed the Rainbow Bridge in August of 2013.