Cajun (originally named Rex) was donated to SDF’s urban disaster search and rescue training program by Elise Lalor, a dog enthusiast and canine handler on California Task Force 4, based in Oakland. In her line of work, Elise regularly encounters people looking for help to find their family just the …
In June of 2011, SDF trainer Kellee Matthews was contacted by Guide Dogs of America (GDA) in Sylmar, CA, about several dogs from a litter that they felt were possible candidates for our urban disaster canine training program. GDA trains companion canines for the blind and visually impaired. Occasionally, they …
In October of 2016, Blake was picked up as a stray by Jackson County Animal Care & Control Center in Phoenix, Oregon. Two weeks after his arrival, SDF Canine Recruiter Kirsten Fulk visited the shelter, seeking high energy dogs to evaluate for SDF. She did not see any on the …
Originally named Moose for his sheer size, Magnum came to SDF from the Shasta County Sheriff Animal Regulation in Redding, CA in January of 2011. He passed the initial evaluation to become a Search Dog candidate with notes in his file such as, “He realized that the toy could be …
In March of 2012, a cheerful mutt named Diva was surrendered by her owner to the Sacramento SPCA. The owner stated that they did not have enough time to devote to Diva and that she would do better in a more active home. They had taken her from a friend …
This beautiful Golden/Labrador Retriever mix was discovered by Leone Sorg, mother of then-SDF Trainer Sharon Hanzelka, at the Dos Palos Animal Control near Gilroy, CA. It’s impossible to imagine anyone could have turned their back on this friendly dog… until you see his over-the-top energy! Justice began his search and …
The day that Royce was dropped off at the Santa Maria Animal Care and Control shelter in Santa Maria, CA in November of 2010, may well have been the best day of this lucky dog’s life. His original owners had purchased Royce from a breeder in the Midwest and brought …
During a road trip throughout the Midwest, SDF Canine Recruiter Tim Matthews, of the South Dakota Canine Center, walked into the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley located in Littleton, CO where the receptionist immediately recognized Tim and said, “We have a Search Dog for you!” Billy, originally named …
In June of 2014, Tim Matthews of the South Dakota Canine Center was in Iowa visiting the Sioux City Animal Adoption and Rescue Center, where he had previously adopted Search Dog Ripley the year before. In one of the kennels he found Sammi, a one-year old Black Lab who had …
In June of 2013, an Australian Shepherd mix named Molly was discovered at Herding Rescue Dogs of Wyoming (HeRD of WY) by long-time SDF friends Kellee and Tim Matthews. The Matthews’ family own and operate the South Dakota Canine Center in Sturgis and frequently visit neighboring states in search of …
