In late 2008, Stella, a powerful female Black Labrador Retriever, came to Sundowners Kennels in Gilroy, CA for obedience training. Her owner, Kerry Holden, needed help learning to handle this rambunctious and rowdy girl. SDF’s Search Dogs were all trained at Sundowners and this was surely the best place to …
When Kim Thompson, Adoption Coordinator at the Butte Humane Society in Chico, California, first met Spuds (a.k.a. “Potato Head”) in 2007, she saw his non-stop drive, intensity, and athleticism. She sensed that despite this young Yellow Lab’s goofy awkwardness, he might have what it takes to become a working dog, …
Cadillac was born in December of 2004 into a litter bred for Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). Puppy raiser Michelle Bennett’s family fell in love with the black Lab, embracing his exuberant personality. “Cadillac would get up in the morning with a look in his eyes that said, ‘this …
Labeled an escape artist, Skye was discovered tied in a kennel at the Western Hills Humane Society in Spearfish, SD by Kellee Matthews of the South Dakota Canine Center. As Kellee approached Skye’s kennel, he exploded with energy and interest in the ball she was holding. Kellee evaluated the Border …
Splash was a smart, sweet, Black Labrador Retriever, donated to the Search Dog Foundation (SDF) by Labyrinth Labradors, run by Colorado breeders Carolyn Tremer and Brant Rosten. Shortly after her birth on October 1st, 2002, Splash began her journey of becoming an SDF Search Dog. Her first stop was at …
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 …
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 …
Lani, a beautiful German Shepherd mix with a black face, was born August 22, 2003. From eight weeks of age, Susan Zubillaga raised her to be a Guide Dog for the Blind (GDB). Lani was intelligent, fun, eager to learn new things, and always on the go. She kept Susan’s …
Trevor came to the Watsonville Animal Shelter as a stray. She was in good condition but she was obese. Quickly, the staff recognized how over-the-top, high energy she was. While waiting to see if her owners would come to claim her, they exercised her to get her to burn up …
In December of 2007, the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, CA called Julia Ford, a local woman who rescues dogs and trains them for Drug and Explosives Detection. They thought she might be interested in an unruly Chocolate Lab named Huckleberry Hound. Although she liked what she saw, he was …
