Team Info
Task Force: Utah Task Force 1 (UT-TF1)
Agency: Layton Fire Department
Level: Certified
Search Dog Info
Breed: Black Lab
Sex: Male
Born: March 1, 2012
Recruited from El Dorado County Animal Services – Placerville, CA
Recruited by Penny Woodruff
Named by Carol & John Marengo
Originally named “Bouncer,” this handsome Black Labrador was recruited from El Dorado County Animal Services in Placerville, CA. Upon being contacted about Bouncer’s potential, SDF staff called on long-time supporter and volunteer Penny Woodruff, who lives in that area, to help with his evaluation. Penny reported back that “he did well on all the tests and has a ton of drive…my gut feeling is to go with the dog!” Penny is responsible for recruiting 10 dogs from shelters in previous years, six of which graduated and are active search dogs.
Once it was determined that he had the characteristics and desire to make a great canine candidate, the next step was to complete Bouncer’s medical clearances, which included x-rays of his hips and elbows to ensure that he is fit and able to do this type of work. Ensuring that a dog does not have ailments such hip dysplasia means that we will not put the dog at risk of aggravating their condition and can hope for a long and healthy career. Thankfully, Bouncer has no medical issues, and we began to transport him down to SDF’s training facility in Santa Paula, CA.
Upon arrival, it was clear that this dog has intensive drive and all the tenacity we look for in a search dog! He was re-named Cole in honor of Carol and John Marengo, dog enthusiasts and generous supporters of the foundation. The Marengo’s sponsor Search Dog Gunner and are guardians of Search Dog Gypsy.
As Cole progressed each week, he continued to impress. SDF canine trainer Lyz Gregory explained at the time, “Cole is doing great in the program! He has a wonderful tug and really seems to enjoy all the training we can toss at him. He is very quick and willing to learn both search work and obedience, and has been graduating to new levels of training swiftly.”
On December 11, 2013, Cole was partnered with Utah Task Force 1 (UT-TF1) Firefighter/Paramedic Roxanne Bauman of the Layton Fire Department at SDF’s National Training Center. Upon being paired with Cole, Roxanne told us, “There have been a few dogs in my life that left a great impression and earned a special place in my heart. I have wanted a canine partner to train with since I was 14, and I’ve wanted a search and rescue dog since I was 20. I’d been researching how to become a canine handler in Utah since 1996. Finally I found SDF. I’ve been waiting two years for my own search and rescue partner, and now I have Cole! I hope we’ll be there in someone’s time of need to make that life-and-death difference.”
Upon returning home to Davis County, Roxanne joked that all she got for Christmas was Cole (coal)! The team returned home to a tremendous amount of support. Not only is Cole the first FEMA search and rescue dog for Layton City Fire Department, but the first one for the County. Roxanne’s department and coworkers were very excited to welcome Cole to the team and several newspapers wrote articles about them. Roxanne even had a patient she transported ask her, “Aren’t you the one that got the new rescue dog?”
Cole and Roxanne train daily and on May 17, 2014, the team achieved FEMA Certification, which enables them to deploy to urban disasters across the country.
The team was called to duty on September 14, 2015, when severe flooding in the Hildale area had members of UT-TF1 and other local agencies assisting citizens. Unfortunately, several people went missing in the swift water and the Task Force was able to get data and a sense of closure to families affected by the flood.
Every three years, our nation’s search teams are required to go through the certification process again by FEMA evaluators to ensure they have maintained their search and rescue skills and are eligible for active deployment status as members of their task force. Roxanne and Cole achieved re-certification in March 2017, January 2020 and November 2022.
Throughout their careers, Cole and Roxanne has deployed on the following missions:
- September 14, 2015 – Flood – Hildale, UT
- August 25, 2017 – Hurricane Harvey – TX & LA
- August 26, 2020 – Hurricane Laura – TX & LA
- September 12, 2020 – Almeda Fire – Medford, OR
Roxanne reports that today, Cole is slowing down a bit as a senior dog but still loves the work and is having fun!