Team Info
Task Force: California Task Force 5 (CA-TF5)
Agency: Long Beach Fire Department
Level: DHS/FEMA Certified
Most Recent Certification: October 16, 2020
Search Dog Info
Breed: Black Labrador
Sex: Male
Born: April 22, 2016
Donated by: Private Donor in Manifee, CA
Named in honor of the Dallas police officers who lost their lives on July 7, 2016
Sponsor: The Joel and Dena Gambord Family
Dallas is a Black Labrador whose potential stood out very early to John Thomas, a former firefighter and member of California Task Force 6, based in Riverside. John was paired with SDF-trained canine Mocha in 2002 and the team deployed several times, including to the Gulf States following Hurricane Katrina. She has since crossed the Rainbow Bridge but John has had several working dogs over the years, trained in either Live Find or Human Remains Detection. Having raised Dallas since he was a puppy with Urban Search & Rescue certification in mind, Dallas was to be John’s newest canine partner.
However, in the fall of 2017, John contacted SDF because he had decided to officially retire from California Task Force 6. He thought that Dallas would find success in SDF’s program and wanted to see him live out his potential and serve our nation’s citizens.
Since working with our training staff, Dallas has gained confidence on the rubble pile, finding his footing and pushing through challenges with his high drive. He’s a beautiful dog to watch work and, a true Lab, he loves to eat!
Canine Care Specialist Dane Mehl says, “He is a very sweet and intuitive dog. He seems to watch you and really be trying hard to understand what we are doing and saying, just as we watch them. He has a great personality and is an all-round great dog. It’s been a pleasure to getting to know Dallas and I’m looking forward to following his career.”