Team Info
Task Force: Utah Task Force 1 (UT-TF1)
Agency: Unified Fire Authority
Level: DHS/FEMA Certified
Most Recent Certification: January 20, 2018
Search Dog Info
Breed: Yellow Lab
Sex: Female
Born: September 26, 2010
Recruited from: Aberdeen Area Humane Society – Aberdeen, SD
Recruited by: South Dakota Canine Center
Sponsor(s): Berakah Foundation
Named by: Michael Diani
Named in Memory of: Taylor Steele
Taylor was born “Sandy” at the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society in September of 2010. Her litter was fostered out to caring homes and then returned to the shelter at 8 weeks of age for adoption. She was adopted by a family, but then surrendered to the Aberdeen Area humane Society at nearly two years of age when they could no longer care for her. She was recruited for SDF’s training program by Kellee Matthews of the South Dakota Canine Center who saw in Taylor all of the characteristics that make a canine hero.
She was flown to SDF’s Search and Rescue training center in Santa Paula, California in November of 2012 and has blown away the trainers every day since with her relentless desire to work and play. Lead trainer Sonja Heritage reports that “Taylor is a rock star! She learns quickly, bursts with energy and you can truly see her love for the search game when you watch her on the rubble.”
Taylor was given her new name by Mike Diani of Diani Building Corp., the General Contractor for SDF’s new National Training Center (NTC). Taylor Steele was the name of Mike’s 17-year-old niece, who lost her life in August of 2011 after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was the youngest girl to have ever contracted the disease. Mike says “she was always full of vigor and energy, and the epitome of strength and grace while fighting for her life.” We could not think of a better way to honor the memory of such an exceptional young woman than to bestow her name on a canine hero that will one day save lives.
Taylor was partnered with Paramedic/Logistics Specialist Trevor Lawrence of Utah Task Force 1 on December 11, 2013. During Trevor’s two week Handlers Course in California, it was easy to see their connection and for trainers to determine that they would be well-suited for one another. As they practiced heeling, Taylor would literally prance alongside Trevor, trotting with glee and awaiting his next command.
Upon being paired, Trevor told us, “My office shares a building with the Task Force and I became a volunteer ‘victim’ for their trainings in 1996. That got me interested in having a Search Dog. I gave my name to the Task Force to become a handler and about four months ago they asked me if I was interested. And here is the answer: Taylor! I was at the right place at the right time and it’s amazing to have this Search Dog. During the Handlers Course at the NTC, we learned the foundational skills – now it’s on us to go out and build the skyscraper and save lives.”
The new team returned to Utah and began to train daily in preparation for their FEMA Certification Evaluation, which would allow them to deploy to disaster areas across the nation. Then, on May 17, 2014, a staggering five months after being paired, Trevor and Taylor, along with two other task force canine teams, achieved FEMA Certification. Most teams aim to earn Certification within one year but for new handlers to do so in such a short timeframe is a true testament to the foundational training of the Search Dogs, as well as the determination and skills of their human counterparts.
On November 21, 2014, Trevor and Taylor were able to put their skills to work for Salt Lake City when an elderly woman was reported missing that night. For some time they searched 2 miles of a frozen canal. At a certain point, when the water got deep and the ice thin, Trevor held back and Taylor carried on, also searching barns and other structures along the route. The police eventually did a “reverse 911 call” and asked citizens to check their property. The woman was found at a home 2 blocks northeast of where Trevor and Taylor were at the time. Trevor was very pleased that Taylor performed so well and that he could trust that she would do what she was trained to out there. The team put these skills to use in September 2015 and June 2016, when other individuals were reported missing.
We wish Trevor and Taylor successful careers and know that they will make the Steele and Diani families, SDF and the nation very proud!