Ventura County Star
If tears shed during the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation’s salute Saturday to those who died and those who searched the piles of rubble that once were the World Trade Center could count as dollars, the Ojai-based nonprofit would have no problem raising the $10.6 million needed to build a national training facility for search dogs and handlers.
More than 300 supporters gathered under a large tent on the 125-acre historic Santa Paula ranch on Wheeler Canyon Road for a moment of silence for lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. They also came to hear first-hand accounts of what search dog rescue teams encountered in New York City attack before walking to the site of a ceremonial groundbreaking for the training center.
“Today is all about we have not forgotten,” said Wilma Melville, 76, foundation founder. “It’s to remember those who died in that tragedy and the men, women and dogs who tried to save lives. It’s to honor those who perished and those dogs and handlers who risked their lives to save others.
“This is a ceremonial groundbreaking because we still need to get our conditional use permit,” she said. “But our goal is to raise $3 million more by the end of the year and have a grand opening Sept. 11 of next year.”
Ron Weckbacher, the first civilian trained by Search Dog Foundation, said he responded with his dog, Manny, to the Twin Towers site along with San Diego Fire Department search dog personnel.
“It was so surreal, like a movie set,” said Weckbacher, 49. “Spires backlit from behind, smoke coming out. It was overwhelming; a huge massive area of destruction. I stood there for a moment, realized Manny was gone and then saw he was already doing his job, working his way through a huge pile of rubble.”
“I’ve been to a lot of different disasters,” he added. “You go in with your game face and do your job. But 9/11 was much more significant because it was man-made. When you think someone intentionally caused that horror.”
“When I see the planes colliding into the towers it takes me back,” he said. “I have a lot of memories about what a horrific environment it was.”
Weckbacher gave credit to the foundation and Melville for the training he and Manny, who died a year ago, received.
“The foundation changed the whole dynamics of canine search and rescue, took it to whole new level,” he said. “Before Wilma got involved, it would take up to five years to train and certify a handler and dog. Now the certification takes six months to a year.”
Kayte Carr, 46, a Search Dog Foundation volunteer, said she lost a cousin who was working in one of the towers.
“Her name was Murielle, and she worked in one of the towers above the 89th floor,” said Carr. “We heard she was helping people to the staircases, and then they said she was missing. They never found her.”
Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett said it was an honor for the county to host Saturday’s event for the national search dog rescue center.
“The county Board of Supervisors is committed to making this happen,” said Bennett. “We have a tremendous amount of work between now and next year’s grand opening. We know how important it is to get this job done.”
The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation gained worldwide recognition after Sept. 11, 2001, when 13 of its teams were deployed to search the rubble of the World Trade Center. Since then, trained teams have responded to 67 disasters, including the Paso Robles earthquake, La Conchita mudslide, the Chatsworth train derailment and Haiti earthquake.
By Gareth Dodd