Team Info
Task Force: California Regional Task Force 7 (CA-RTF7)
Agency: Ventura County Fire
Level: Certified
Search Dog Info
Breed: Black Labrador
Sex: Male
Born: September 7, 2020
Recruited from Kaiser K9
Steven was generously donated as a puppy by Emily and Stephanie Kaiser of Kaiser K9 in Maryland—the same organization that donated several current search dogs and canine candidates. Since Steven was too young to join our training program when he arrived, he spent his early months being fostered by SDF Senior Director of Canine Operations Tracy Darling, and her husband, SDF handler Eric Darling. Being raised by a staff member, Steven had the benefit of coming to SDF’s campus daily, where he learned very early on just how much fun it is to climb on rubble and play search games.
This sweet, playful boy always came to work with a cute bounce in his step that charmed staff, and it was a treat for everyone to watch him grow, develop a love for training, and bond with his trainers. As he matured in the search program, his drive increased—to the point trainers sometimes had to pump the brakes on his enthusiasm!
Steven thrived in the program and was a natural on the rubble. Even though he was younger than some other candidates, he was incredible at search and able to work through complex diffuse problems and tough distractions like a pro. Steven graduated from search training and was paired with his former foster dad and veteran SDF handler Eric Darling of California Regional Task Force 7 (CA-RTF7), Ventura County Fire, on May 7, 2022.
As a child, Eric always wanted to be in the fire service. He grew up watching “Emergency!,” a scripted TV show which depicted the heroics of Los Angeles-based fire and paramedics teams. He was also in the Boy Scouts and, as a young Scout, was given a chance to tour LA County Fire Station 94. This fueled his desire to become a first responder, and he started with his first department in 1993. A lifelong lover of dogs, Eric began working as a Canine Search Specialist with SDF about thirteen years ago. Steven is Eric’s second SDF-trained canine partner.
The team trained diligently in preparation for their certification evaluation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which they achieved in November 2022. Eric and Steven have already responded to the following calls:
- Bluff Collapse – Goleta, CA – August 2022
- Missing Person – Gaviota, CA – September 2022
- Mudslide – San Bernardino, CA – September 2022
- Building Collapse – Casitas Springs, CA – September 2022
- Building Collapse – Camarillo Springs, CA November 2022
- Missing Person – Brea, CA – February 2023
- Missing Person – Ventura, CA – March 2023
- Missing Person – Ventura, CA – November 2023
- Missing Person – Santa Paula, CA – November 2023