Category: <span>SDF Features</span>

SDF’s Rescue Partners Visit Campus for “Evaluating Working Dogs” Training Event

In recruiting canines for our search program, we've developed relationships with other organizations that employ working dogs in numerous fields, such as law enforcement, conservation, and wilderness and avalanche rescue, to name a few. Thanks to these contacts, we can find placements for candidates who don't choose to pursue disaster …

From Roaming the Streets to Patrolling a Beat: Meet K9 Zeva

Zeva was found as a stray in Columbia, Missouri. No one came forward to claim her, so Zeva was fostered while she waited for adoption through the Missouri German Shepherd Rescue. Zeva’s foster happened to have experience in search and rescue training and was immediately impressed with the skills Zeva …

Lilah (2010-2023)

In January of 2011, SDF received a call from volunteer Andrea Bergquist (whose husband Chris was a handler with California Task Force 7 based in Sacramento), letting us know that she had discovered an excellent Search Dog candidate at the Sacramento SPCA. Lilah, a one-year-old Black Lab, had been picked …

“It Was All Because of My Dog:” Former Search Dog Lexi and Her Adopter, Lisa, Find Purpose as a Therapy Team

Lexi was found as a stray in Rapid City, South Dakota, and taken to the Humane Society of the Black Hills, where a staff member noted her high energy and love for tennis balls and contacted SDF. Lexi was evaluated and accepted into our search program, where according to trainers, …

Seven SDF-trained search dog teams join rescuers from around the world to assist after deadly earthquake in Türkiye

  Early on Monday morning, February 6, a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Türkiye, Syria, and the surrounding region, destroying buildings and leaving a swath of devastation stretching hundreds of miles. One of the strongest quakes ever to hit the region, it produced aftershocks nearly as strong as the initial …

Sniffing Out Disasters Before They Happen: Max Finds His Perfect Career in Explosives Detection 

Max was found as a stray in Weber County, UT, and placed with Weber County Animal Services, where he was adopted and returned due to his high energy. His adopters shared that he was a very nice dog during the brief time Max was with them. He got along great …

Haley (2009-2022)

In July of 2009, Labrador breeder Nancy King of Canyon Country, CA responded to a Search Dog Foundation article in the Retriever News.  Nancy had a 1-year-old Chocolate Labrador that was evaluated for Search Dog potential.  In the process, 8-week-old Haley was discovered, and Nancy generously donated her to SDF.  …