Category: News
What does a canine actually do in a disaster?
Certified urban disaster live find canines and their handlers play a critical role during the rescue phase of deployments when people may be missing. These dogs are trained extensively to go into disaster zones, such as those affected by a hurricane, earthquake or tornado, and use their incredible sense of …
Meet Our Newest Search Dog Recruit: Cooper!
Cooper, formerly Cody, comes to us from Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue (GGLRR) located in the bay area of Northern California. Sadly, Cooper had a difficult start in life, in which he reportedly suffered neglect and abuse at the hands of his owners, before GGLRR was able to help …
3 SDF Search Teams deploy to the East Coast for Hurricane Florence
SDF has several teams deployed to the East Coast for Hurricane Florence from both Florida Task Force 1 and Nebraska Task Force 1. All 28 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) task forces mobilized components in response to Florence as the hurricane was expected to grow to a potential Category 5 …
SDF-trained Canine Disaster Search Teams deployed for Hurricane Olivia
On Saturday, September 8, 2018, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began deploying U.S. Urban Disaster Search and Rescue teams to the state of Hawaii in anticipation of Hurricane Olivia, which had the potential to make landfall by the 11th. Two SDF-trained canine teams from California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3, …
3 SDF-trained Canine Disaster Search Teams deployed for Hurricane Lane
Hurricane Lane was originally a Category 5 hurricane, eventually reaching the Hawaiian islands on August 22 as a slightly weaker Category 4 storm. Even though it did not pass directly over the islands, the massive amount of rainfall and subsequent flooding damaged parts of Hawaii. Three FEMA task forces, including …
Jester (2006 – 2018)
In April of 2007, a call came in to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation office about a potential canine candidate. It was Penny Woodruff, a volunteer and foster home for the non-profit High Sierra Animal Rescue (HSAR) in Portola, CA. Penny had previously rescued SDF search dog Zoey. Now …
New York Search Teams deployed to flooding in central NY state
Search Teams Brian Girard & Keila and Greg Gould & Dax returned home to Albany after being deployed to massive flooding near Lodi and Seneca Lake, New York with their task force. A state of emergency was declared on August 14 as flash flooding caused dozens of people to become …
Speaker (2004 – 2018)
In 2005, a Yellow Lab named Hunter – as he was known back then – had worn out his welcome with his family because they could no longer manage his high energy level. Pluis and Kate Davern, Search Dog Foundation (SDF) trainers and owners of Sundowners Kennels, where all SDF …