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 …
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 …
