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 …
Nino is an energetic Fox Red Labrador Retriever, and since he started on the path towards becoming a FEMA-Certified Disaster Search Dog, he has impressed everyone he’s met with his athleticism and drive. “He’s everything you could want in a Search Dog,” said then SDF Canine Manager Karen Klingberg. Added …
Kari is SDF’s first Search Dog from the great state of Florida. She was discovered in the apartment complex of Naomi Greenfield, friend to then-SDF trainer Hope Blueberry. Naomi, on daily walks with her own dog, had noticed Kari, full of life and energy in a neighbor’s yard. Naomi noticed …
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 friendand then SDF Canine Recruiter, Heidi Miller-Mercer. Heidi has been a canine evaluator for SDF for many yearsand was helping Ellen learn to evaluate shelter dogs …
As an accomplished escape artist, Elvis was notorious in his previous family’s neighborhood. After a neighbor threatened to shoot 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 and …
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, has been raising Labs personally and professionally for over 20 years. Meri was aware of SDF for some time because …
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 …
Joey and Amber Garza had bought “Little Anne” for bird-hunting and as a family pet, but this fireball soon became too energetic for their lifestyle. When Joey’s work schedule changed, they decided she needed a new home. Joey found SDF online and called the office to talk to then-Canine Manager Karen …
Animal control in Northern California picked up Flyer as a stray and took her to Haven Humane Society in Anderson, CA. No one ever came to claim Flyer, making this Border Collie mix available for adoption. Since Haven Humane Society employees were very familiar with characteristics SDF looks for …
