In September of 2008 opportunity knocked – or rather tail wagged – for Bella. SDF handler Al Duncan of San Francisco’s Presidio Fire Department had responded to a call from the Stockton Animal Shelter about a possible Search Dog candidate. Unfortunately, the first dog he tested did not have the …
In May of 2015, SDF Handler Trevor Lawrence contacted our training staff about a potential canine candidate he had located in his home state of Utah. Trevor had located homeless canine Charlie at Companion Golden Retriever Rescue (CGRR) in West Jordan, UT, and was a maniac for the toy. After …
Nino was an energetic Fox Red Labrador Retriever, and since he began on the path towards becoming a FEMA-Certified Disaster Search Dog, he impressed everyone he met with his athleticism and drive. Added to this is the absolute joy he finds in barking—which, for a Search Dog, is a powerful tool. …
Ellen Perryess, a 9-year veteran volunteer for the San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Animal Shelter, learned about the Search Dog Foundation (SDF) from her friend and now SDF Canine Recruiter, Heidi Miller-Mercer. Heidi has been a canine evaluator for SDF for many years and was helping Ellen learn to evaluate …
Leila began her life as a candidate for Guide Dogs of America in Sylmar, CA, where she was learning to be a companion dog to the blind and visually impaired. Staff there soon realized that her incredible toy drive and endless energy would be better put to use in another …
Callie was born in November of 2004. She was one of many pups born to Meri Forman’s Juniper Ridge Labradors. Meri, Guide Dogs of America’s (GDA) Breeding Manager since 1994, had been raising Labs personally and professionally for over 20 years. Meri was aware of SDF for some time because …
Sherman came to the Search Dog Foundation (SDF) in March of 2010 with the typical story of “Black Lab Syndrome” – a term used by people who work or volunteer in animal shelters. It describes the phenomenon in which, for some reason, black dogs, even purebred black Labrador Retrievers, are …
Labs and Friends Rescue in San Diego, CA has donated several canines to SDF’s training program over the years. In June of 2010 they called SDF about Stetson—a strong, solidly built Yellow Lab who passed SDF’s evaluations with flying colors and was ready to begin training right away! After being …
In late 2005, after receiving a letter from SDF volunteer Jeff Pepper introducing SDF to Homeward Bound Rescue and Sanctuary, their staff and volunteers kept a look out for canines with Search Dog potential. Weeks earlier, a Golden Retriever that Homeward Bound named Baxter was found wandering the streets of …
SDF volunteer Laura Rathe found Jagger at Haven Humane Society in Redding, CA in December of 2007. He had arrived the week before as a stray and was severely malnourished. Despite his health problems, Jagger was extremely ball-driven and wanted to play. Laura evaluated Jagger for our program and immediately …
