This Black Labrador began his career as a Field Trial dog, but it became clear early on that he was better suited for the field of search and rescue. At about 18 months of age, his owner, Janet Eisen, contacted SDF and let us know she had a potential candidate …
Moxie was surrendered to the Humane Society of Ventura County in Ojai when her original owner was deployed overseas. Within a day, the SDF office had received numerous calls about the petite black Lab that loved her toys! She did a wonderful job on her search dog candidate evaluation and …
Originally named Unity, this Black Lab had been bred and raised as a companion dog for the organization Guide Dogs of America, but had too much energy and spunk for that line of work. In February 2008, after seeing this lively dog in action, SDF volunteer Kellee Matthews called the …
In April of 2005, a cute little yellow Lab pup was born, specifically bred for the purpose of being a Guide Dog. Guide Dogs of America (GDA) breeds canines with the specific purpose of training these dogs to assist the handicapped. The dogs are trained to perform some amazing tasks. …
Originally named “Squirt,” this happy Yellow Lab was recruited from Sioux City Animal Adoption & Rescue Center in Sioux City, IA in February of 2013. His boundless energy and toy-obsessive personality were identified by Kellee Matthews of the South Dakota Canine Center, who routinely visits shelters and rescues in that …
Like many Search Dog Foundation (SDF) canines, Pearl’s early years were troubled ones. Her first owner wasn’t home much, so Pearl frequently would jump the fence of their home and go looking for fun. Inevitably, she would be picked up by animal control and after paying the “bailout” fee one …
As an accomplished escape artist, Elvis was notorious in his previous family’s neighborhood. After a neighbor threatened the life of the wandering Chocolate Lab, Elvis’ family decided they had to give him up. Elvis arrived at Santa Barbara Animal Care and Control in Santa Maria, CA in April of 2008 …
Rosa, a black Labrador Retriever, came to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) in 1999 from a local Ojai, California breeder, Liz Harward. Liz wanted to help SDF and knew her dog lines were full of bold, driven canines, a perfect match for our program. Rosa was fostered by …
On July 30, 2013, a momentous new chapter began in SDF’s history books. Crockett, a black Lab with unusual zeal completed search dog training as the very first candidate to graduate at SDF’s new home, the National Training Center (NTC), located in Santa Paula, CA. Crockett was partnered with veteran …
In May of 2009, a new SDF volunteer named Bill Murphy came across a listing for a five-month-old Lab mix at the Yolo County Animal Shelter. The description of the pup was appealing, and Bill felt this boy was worth a look. He immediately forwarded the information to the SDF …
