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Sit, Stay, READ!
March 1, 2010
The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is a non-profit, private organization. It was created in 1996, based in Ojia, California, and its goal is to be one key part of the disaster response team effort and find buried survivors. The organization was conceived after the founder, Wilma Melville, who along with her black Lab, Murphy, was FEMA certified were deployed to the Federal Building in Oklahoma City after it had been bombed. She and Murphy were one of only 15 disaster certified search dog/handler teams in the United States. Melville realized that for any large scale disaster (i.e. Hurricane Katrina), there would not be enough disaster search teams to assist in finding survivors. Since the inception of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation there have been over 100 dog/handler teams that have gotten their Advanced Certification in disaster searching.
The training these dogs receives is awesome. The lead trainer for the organization is a phenomenal trainer named Pluis Davern of Sundowners Training Kennel in Gilroy, California where all the NDSDF dogs/handlers are trained. The dogs must be able to climb up and over and down unstable piles of rock and rubble, maneuvering through jagged and uneven surfaces. These dogs are super athletes. We've included a couple of photos of dogs not featured so you can see the types of training they undergo to be able to handle potential field situations.
The work of NDSDF and the dog/handler teams is nothing short of heroic and Tigertail Foods is so proud to be able to highlight just a few of their very special, talent dogs.
If you have a story you’d like to tell us about, write me. We love hearing about people or animals or groups that make the world a happier, better place to be, and if we use your story you'll get a free pound of cookies!
The Special Search Dogs . . .
All search and rescue dogs are special and have very important jobs to do, but some a little closer to our hearts; they are the dogs that came to National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) from rescue groups.
In January, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) deployed search teams to Haiti to help find live earthquake victims that were stuck under the rubble that had been offices, schools and homes. The dog and handler teams found a total of ten survivors, a not-so-minor miracle when one considers how long those people had been trapped beneath tons of debris. After over two weeks there, the teams came back to a flurry of deserved media attention. They were asked about duties and training, what they saw and experienced and how it felt to save someone. One aspect that wasn't given the attention we think it deserves is that a large number of the search and rescue dogs come from rescues and shelters. These are dogs that all "failed" at being family pets and ended up being turned in or abandoned because of their exceptional high energy and their purpose-driven personalities. These are all dogs that are not content to be couch-potatoes. They need to perform a job to be happy. Sadly, that doesn't make for easy coexistence in a house with kids and jobs and chores - especially when the dog's energy turns to finding new and exciting outlets. Some were escape artists, some were destructive, all were given up by families who probably started off with the best of intentions.
The following dogs are all from rescues or shelters. With the exception of Cody, all were deployed or ready to be deployed to Haiti. We include Cody because he is the epitome of why some dogs are not meant to be pets but instead have a "higher purpose" with a little guidance, patience and a second, or in his case an eighth, chance.
Baxter, a Golden Retriever from Homeward Bound (Tigertail Foods' featured Rescue of the Month (12/09)). Baxter was a forgotten dog without a purpose, on the road to nowhere. He was rescued by Mike and Jody Jones, and stayed at Homeward Bound Rescue & Sanctuary in Northern California until February 2006. He was taken to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) by volunteer Jessica Drew, a flourishing veterinarian. Baxter made the trek to Sundowners Kennel in Gilroy, 
California, where he would train for the next eight months. As a result of her years of experience working with dogs, Sundowners Kennel's lead trainer, Pluis Davern, had developed an amazing ability to successfully match handlers and dogs. The partnering was easy in Baxter's case. When the dogs and handlers-to-be had their first encounter at Sundowners in March 2007, Pluis introduced Baxter and firefighter Gary Durian of the Los Angeles County Fire Department after both had successfully completed their intensive training requirements. In a way, Baxter picked Gary when they first met at Sundowners Kennel. Baxter ran over to Gary and laid down by him for a brief moment. That moment was all it took for Pluis to see that Gary and Baxter were meant to be a team, and a new chapter in Baxter's life began. In February of 2007, Baxter and Gary passed their FEMA Certification. In September 2008, Gary and Baxter were sent on their first deployment to search for survivors following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
Pearl, a black Labrador from High Sierra Rescue. In June of 2007, a very sweet young black Lab had been picked up running loose on the street and ended up at the local shelter. A volunteer with High Sierra saw Pearl, her beauty and personality, and knew that she needed to be saved. He found that this was not the first time this dog had been picked up as a stray. She had belonged to a young man who was gone all day and would leave her in his yard. Due to her high energy level and need for attention, the
dog would jump the fence and go looking for fun and fellowship. Inevitably she would be wandering the streets and get picked up by animal control. After bailing out his dog several times, the owner, who could no longer afford the fees, surrendered her to the shelter. SDF's Canine Manager received a call from Bark Force member, Penny Woodruff. There was a potential SDF canine candidate being housed at the High Sierra Animal Rescue in Portola, CA. Once at High Sierra, Penny Woodruff evaluated Pearl and found that she possessed every quality that was sought after in a disaster Search Dog. After completing her training in January of 2008, Pearl was assigned to a handler. The handler was unable to complete the program, so Pearl was returned to Sundowners to await handler reassignment. In July 2008, Pearl was reassigned to Ron Horetski at Los Angeles County Fire Station, 103 Pico Rivera, USAR Task Force 103. Ron has been a handler with SDF since March 2007, with his German Shepherd, Fritzie. After working diligently with her for almost a year, there were some issues that could not be resolved and she was released as an active canine, becoming a Lifetime Care dog at home with Ron. Ron was determined and not interested in dropping out as a handler, and requested another dog. Pearl had recently become available, and was ready to be paired up and start back to work. Ron and Pearl achieved Certification with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in May 2009, and were deployed shortly afterward in July 2009, to a building collapse in La Puente, California. As part of Los Angeles County Task Force 2 (CA-TF2), Ron and Pearl are ready to deploy anywhere in the U.S. and the world as one of the two FEMA Task Forces able to deploy internationally.
Lilly-Belle, a Golden Retriever from Golden Retriever Rescue of Central New York. Lilly-Belle's life motto could be "never give up", which is good because she has had her share of disappointments before finding the right teammate to share her life's job. Lilly-Belle's life before SDF was that of a high-energy puppy whose family didn't have time for her and, due to her driven personality, didn't develop a bond. It wasn't working out. The family's vet referred them to Golden Retriever Rescue of Central New York (GRRCNY). Carol Allen, the President of GRRCNY, recognized the potential in this very special dog and contacted the Search Dog Foundation (SDF) to see if the foundation 
would provide Lilly-Belle with the opportunity to channel her high drive and energy into becoming a disaster search dog. Soon, Lilly-Belle was on a plane, traveling first class, with a volunteer, off-duty flight attendant for American Airlines. She traveled cross-country from New York to California and directly to Sundowners Kennels in Gilroy. At Sundowners, Lilly-Belle proved that she was made for the SDF program. She had the energy, enthusiasm and high prey drive necessary to do well in the training program. After six months, she was paired with a firefighter from Ohio, who was part of a new training group of four handlers in that state. Although Lilly-Belle seemed to be finally finding her niche, a couple twists were ahead in the road for her. Lilly-Belle spent time with two different handlers in Ohio. Each handler had the best of intentions, but in each case, the match did not quite work. So it was back on the road again. This little dynamo of a dog then flew back to California to spend a month at Sundowners for a "refresher" course. Debra Tosch, SDF Executive Director, and Julie Padelford-Jansen, a new handler from the City of Miami Fire and Rescue in Florida who had just arrived at Sundowners for training, picked up Lilly-Belle from the airport. Julie found herself in an unusual situation at Sundowners - though she was being trained as a new handler, SDF did not yet have a dog for her. But, as luck would have it, Julie was able to work with Lilly-Belle that week, and the two formed a real bond. After Lilly-Belle spent a month at Sundowners, head trainer, Pluis Davern, felt that Julie and Lilly-Belle would make a good team. Pluis brought Lilly-Belle out to Florida with her while she was there for follow-up training with the Florida training group. On January 11, 2005, Julie and Lilly-Belle officially became a team. In October 2006, Julie and Lilly-Belle achieved their certification with FEMA and deployed to Hurricane Ike in 2008. They recertified in October 2009 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and continue to be deployable to disasters across the nation.
Spuds, a yellow Labrador from Kim Thompson and the Butte Humane Society. When Kim Thompson, Adoption Coordinator at the Butte Humane Society in Chico, California, first met Spuds (a.k.a. "Potato Head"), she looked beyond his oversized head and saw 
his non-stop drive, intensity, and athleticism. She sensed that despite this Yellow Lab's size and awkwardness, he might have what it takes to become a search dog, and she called the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF). SDF Canine Manager Karen Klingberg went to Chico to meet Spuds, but was uncertain about what she saw. "Here came this great big gangling Lab, with a big funny-looking head. But after testing him, I was impressed by his drive and tenacity--he just wouldn't give up! He's a very powerful dog. I knew he had potential." Renamed "Spuds," the new search dog candidate began training the next day at Sundowners Training Kennels in Gilroy, CA under the watchful eye of SDF Trainer Pluis Davern. Rick Bartlett, Captain and Paramedic with the Orange County Fire Authority, began training as an SDF Handler in August 2007, and soon went to Gilroy to be partnered with a search dog. Based on their willing personalities, Pluis chose Spuds as Rick's partner. Rick and Spuds immediately felt a bond and sensed that they had what it takes to be a great team. In October 2007, Rick spent two weeks fighting the fires that raged over the Southern California area, and was unable to train with Spuds as much as either one of them would have liked. In November, Rick brought Spuds home from Gilroy to Leucadia, CA. Since then, Spuds and Rick have trained almost daily. They honed their skills, and the hard work paid off. In May 2009, Rick and Spuds achieved FEMA Advanced Certification.
Andy, a Golden Retriever from Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin. Andy had lived with two different families, but his energy and enthusiasm were more than either could handle, and he ended up at a shelter. When Andy came into rescue, GRRoW could tell right away: this dog wanted a job. Adolescent Goldens usually have high energy, but Andy's was off the scale. He needed direction for his energy! And GRRoW knew just who to call. Andy's training was paid in part through a memorial fund established by a Wisconsin family who lost a daughter in the World Trade Center attack. He was named Andy to honor her memory when he was accepted into the SDF program. Before beginning his search dog training, this exuberant dog moved into his Canine Prep Home with SDF employee, Kerry Ballantine, charming his way into her life. After leaving his Canine Prep Home, Andy spent the next six months completing a vigorous and specialized training program at Sundowners Kennel. His seemingly 
endless energy was more than enough to get him through the SDF training program, a process that involves learning advanced obedience, understanding verbal and non-verbal commands, searching a rubble pile, walking on shifting and unstable surfaces, climbing ladders, distinguishing the scent of a live "victim" from all other scents, and signaling with a "bark alert" when a live scent is detected. Andy completed his training, continuing to demonstrate his high energy level and as well as a newly found focus when it came to his work. Andy was with two other handlers before his most recent pairing with Russell Tao, of the Montebello Fire Department near Los Angeles. Andy couldn't be happier in his new home with Russell. Russell is an experienced SDF handler, having achieved Advanced Certification with his first disaster canine partner, Harry. Tragically, Harry died unexpectedly of a heart condition in January of 2005. It was very important to Russell to continue on as a disaster search dog handler with a new canine despite this loss. It was a blessing that Andy was in need of a new handler at a time when Russell was also in need of a new canine partner. The two could not be happier and have formed a strong bond since their pairing in February of 2005. Russell and Andy have their FEMA Certification and represented SDF in numerous events and demonstrations.
Ace, a yellow Labrador from Tri-City Animal Shelter in Fremont, CA. The story of "Mace" began tragically. This Yellow Lab began his life in Fremont, California, with an owner who abandoned him, and, unbelievably, tied him to a railroad track. He was then sprayed with mace and left to die. He was found and taken to an animal shelter, where he was scheduled to be euthanized. But at the eleventh hour, Mace was rescued by one of SDF's firefighters, who had been alerted by a shelter employee. After a short recuperation, the firefighter recognized the dog's potential and Mace 
made his way into the SDF program. Mace was placed in one of our loving Canine Prep Homes to regain trust and confidence in people, and was given his new name, "Ace." He displayed the characteristics ideal for a search dog: high energy, tenacity, endurance, strength, speed, and a strong "play/prey" drive. After three months, Ace moved on to Sundowners Training Kennels. The trainers saw what few others could see in Ace - a dog with the strength, endurance, and skill to become a successful Search Dog. By the end of six months of training, he was partnered with Teresa Ortenberger with California Task Force 7. Teresa and Ace eventually achieved FEMA Certification together. In September of 2005 they were deployed to Hurricane Katrina. When fellow SDF handler and Assistant Fire Chief Rob Cima 0f the El Dorado County Fire department lost his Search Dog Harley to cancer in November of 2006, Teresa who had two certified dogs (Ace and Remi) decided to give Ace to him. They were an excellent match, and in March of 2007, Rob and Ace achieved FEMA Advanced Certification. Ace has certainly come a long way from that poor dog lashed to a railroad track. He now enjoys a happy, active life with Rob, living and working as he was meant to. With the right amount of patience and affection, an abandoned pet on the brink of death became a highly trained, much loved, and well cared-for Disaster Search Dog.
Cody, a Golden Retriever from Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin. Cody wasn't destined to be a laid-back couch dog. Sure, he was everything a family dog should be: friendly, loyal, handsome, and smart. But while he loved his family, he seemed to want more out of life. He honed his skill as an escape artist, sometimes using paws, nose and rump at the same time to release latches and outsmart any attempt to contain him. Unfortunately, Cody's "creativity" was too much for most families to handle. By the time he was 18 months old, Cody had lived in seven homes! He tried hard to fit in, but Cody was like a toy with no off switch. One after another, his families gave up on him. Eventually he ended up with the Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin (GRRoW). 
They took one look at Cody and saw he had working dog written all over him. GRRoW had learned of SDF through our involvement with search efforts at Ground Zero after 9/11. They decided to contact SDF and a screening test was arranged. With his exuberance, strength, and exceedingly high play/prey drive, Cody passed with flying colors. Next stop: Sundowners Kennels in Gilroy, California where all SDF dogs train. Though Cody was ready, willing and able, he posed a real challenge to his trainer. Like many of us, he wanted it his way…or no way! Then one day, lead trainer Pluis Davern finally made real eye contact with Cody. "He seemed to realize, at that moment, that he had just landed the job of his dreams." From that point on, Cody became a star pupil at Sundowners, mentoring rookie dogs during tough training assignments. Cody is indeed one of Pluis' prodigal sons and has earned a place close to her heart. After graduating, Cody was partnered with Linda D'Orsi, a firefighter from Chula Vista, California. He quickly settled in with Linda, her husband, son and a family Golden Retriever (who's gotten a lot more exercise since Cody arrived). Cody also goes to work with Linda and has a second family with the crew at the firehouse. Linda says 
Cody can't wait to get out of his crate when he arrives at a work site and performs his job joyfully, with determination, focus and endless energy. On the other hand, if a fire call comes in, he sits patiently in the fire truck with his seatbelt on-recognizing the difference between his search job and Linda's other responsibilities as a firefighter. When those who have known him best describe Cody, the first words that come to mind are: fearless, all business, a dynamo, a source of boundless energy. Cody carries his tail up high for his breed. It signals like a flag waving when he's on the rubble. He also has a terrific "bark alert," the signal that he's found what he's looking for-critical in search and rescue. He musters up a continuous, loud, and deep bark (not typical for his breed) that can be heard over the noise and commotion at 
a disaster site. Not one to shirk his responsibilities, he limits his rest breaks; after 10 minutes, he's ready for action. As a team, Lind and Cody have attained Advanced Certification with FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In 2005 they were deployed to Hurricane Katrina where they searched for survivors in New Orleans. In 2005, Cody was also generously sponsored by the AT&T Foundation. As Linda and Cody's training progresses, their bond grows deeper. Linda happily reports that Cody seems to know he's finally found a home and his dream job.
All of these dogs were abandoned by humans. Fortunately for them and for us, there were humans who recognized their value and were willing to give these talented dogs a second chance, and now they are out there giving others a second chance. Rescued to rescuers. Amazing things happen when you recycle love.
