Team Info
Task Force: California Task Force 1 (CA-TF1)
Agency: Los Angeles City Fire
Level: DHS/FEMA Certified
Most Recent Certification: June 18, 2022
Search Dog Info
Breed: Plott Hound Mix
Sex: Female
Born: October 1, 2011
Recruited from: Bones Pet Rescue in Covelo, CA
Recruited by: Laura Rathe
Sponsor(s): The Joel and Dena Gambord Family
Java, a one-year-old Plott Hound mix, was picked up as a stray by the Humboldt County Animal Shelter in McKinleyville, CA. During a routine visit to this shelter to help save canine lives, staff from Bones Pet Rescue of Covelo, CA adopted Java from this kill shelter in an attempt to find her a great home. It was at Bones Pet Rescue that Java was discovered by SDF supporters Laura and Wayne Rathe and identified as a potential search and rescue candidate. Laura says they saw “Sixty-six pounds of goofy, happy and friendly” in this beautiful girl, but the extreme drive and intelligence that came out during her first evaluation were sure signs of a future Search Dog.
Java spent the next 6 months in Search Dog boot camp at Sundowners Kennels in Gilroy, CA and trainer Sharon Hanzelka said, “Not only her unique appearance will make you look twice, but also her work ethic to uphold SDF’s pledge and NEVER GIVE UP! She’s been a pleasure to train these past months.”
On November 5, 2012, Java was partnered with Eric Ingstad, a Firefighter/Paramedic with Los Angeles City Fire. Java is Eric’s first Search Dog and SDF trainers have a lot of confidence in the two rookies.
Eric says, “When I was paired with Java during the Handler’s Course, it just felt right. I had spent so many months training with my task force and watching their dogs at work that I was extremely excited to meet my new canine partner. I get to work with a lot of knowledgeable people at trainings – all experienced, friendly and helpful. It is wonderful to have the support system SDF provides.”
Java joined Eric at his home with his pet Labrador, Bella, in Los Angeles and trained daily in preparation for FEMA Certification. The team achieved their advanced Certification on December 7, 2013 which made them eligible deploy to urban disaster scenes as members of California Task Force 1 (CA-TF1).
Every U.S. task force canine team must Re-Certify every three years in order to maintain their active status. Java and Eric successfully tested again at a FEMA evaluation in Castaic, CA on September 19, 2016.
Their first response to a disaster occurred locally in the Hollywood Hills on January 30, 2017. Unusually heavy rains across Southern California had softened soil and unfortunately, a landslide occurred, burying houses below in mud and debris. Occupants inside one of the homes called 9-1-1 to report that they were trapped and rescue crews responded to bring them to safety. Java and Eric were one of two Los Angeles Fire Department canine teams to arrive at the scene in search of additional area residents that may be unaccounted for.
On March 3, 2019, these two passed for their third certification in Phoenix, Arizona. Their dedication to the search remains strong and they will be deployable until 2022.
The team continues to train daily together, in addition to weekly with their task force, in preparation for the next time the call comes to assist citizens.