Search Teams

Our Search Teams

Baja California Task Force 3 (BC-TF3)

California Regional Task Force 7 (CA-RTF7) Ventura County

California Task Force 1 (CA-TF1) Los Angeles City

California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) Los Angeles County

California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3) Bay Area

California Task Force 4 (CA-TF4) Oakland

California Task Force 5 (CA-TF5) Orange County

California Task Force 7 (CA-TF7) Sacramento

California Task Force 8 (CA-TF8) San Diego

Nebraska Task Force 1 (NE-TF1)

New York Task Force 2 (NY-TF2)

Oklahoma Task Force 1 (OK-TF1)

Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1)

Utah Task Force 1 (UT-TF1)

Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1)

Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2)

Hopper & Linda D’Orsi

Hopper & Linda D’Orsi

 

Team Info

Task Force: California Task Force 8 (CA-TF8)
Level: DHS/FEMA Certified
Most Recent Certification: June 18, 2022

Search Dog Info

Breed: Black Lab
Sex: Female
Born: January 4, 2017
Sponsors:  Westlake Women’s Club – CFWC, The Joel and Dena Gambord Family

 

 

Hopper was once a family pet living as a puppy in New Mexico, but sadly, she was left in their backyard most of the time with minimal interaction and engagement from her family. When the family decided to move, they did not want to take Hopper to their new home. The family privately listed this energetic black Labrador for sale on a website, and, noticing her drive and determination, she was purchased by a dog trainer for contraband detection and transported to San Marino, CA, to begin the process.  

Quickly into her training, it was clear Hopper was destined for a job with much more intensity and purpose, so the trainer, who was familiar with the Search Dog Foundation’s mission and the type of dog needed for disaster search, reached out to SDF in hopes of finding Hopper the right career. Shortly after, arrangements were made to get Hopper to Santa Paula, CA, for evaluation, which she passed easily.  

At our National Training Center, Hopper quickly demonstrated to trainers that she is a spunky, sassy girl who loves to work! She passed her proficiency tests with flying colors and quickly generalized her skills to different handlers. With her stellar search instinct, she became the trainers’ go-to dog to send out first if they wanted to see how the scent was moving. With all her enthusiasm for search, Hopper possesses a nice “off switch,” too, and is happy to relax when the job is done.  

Hopper found her human partner in Linda D’Orsi of Chula Vista Fire, California Task Force 8, and they were officially paired on May 7, 2022. A thirty-five-year veteran first responder, Linda got her start as an EMT and then a paramedic before becoming a canine handler in 1997.  

Although she’s handled several dogs in her twenty-year career as a Canine Search Specialist, Linda says that Hopper stands out for her confidence and problem-solving. If Hopper can’t reach her target from one angle, she will keep trying from another until she’s satisfied. At home with Linda, this talent for discovering new angles has unfortunately taken Hopper onto the tops of dining tables and kitchen counters, but she is steadily learning to respect boundaries. 

One of the most exciting moments Linda had training with Hopper was when she finally figured out how to get Hopper to heel off-leash. Quite a feat, Linda says, since Hopper will hardly heel on-leash! We are so proud of this team and can’t wait to share all their accomplishments!