Who doesn’t love to be welcomed by a friendly face when they step off a plane, train, or bus? How about the subway?
Well, if you’re a regular commuter on the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) disembarking at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, you have the pleasure of being greeted by not one, but twosmiling faces…and one of them even wags her tail at you!
Su Vodrazka, a Deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and her SDF-trained canine partner Hero, a beautiful black lab, welcome passengers as they emerge from the tunnel at the historic train station.
In 2003, the MTA decided to put a dog/handler team on the rail line to offer a sense of safety and comfort to passengers using public transportation. They wanted a friendly dog, not one that was bite-trained, so they looked for just the right person to pair with a trained disaster search and rescue canine. When the Sheriff’s Department posted the job, Su jumped at the chance to apply and with her warm, outgoing and winning personality, won out over 61 other applicants! She and her husband already had three German Shepherds at home at the time, but she didn’t think twice about bringing another dog into her home or about changing her work assignment.
Hero had come to SDF from local Ojai breeder Liz Harward, who is known to produce beautiful dogs. Three SDF volunteers, Miki Klocke, Bo Harper, and Lori Mohr, had purchased Hero from this breeder to donate to our program. Su was paired with Hero in October of 2003, after completing the handler training course. Hero proved to be a handful for Su at first—a bundle of energy who was also a chewer and jumper! With a lot of training, Su had taught Hero to modify her exuberance while she was in “work mode.” In March of 2005 Su and Hero achieved Advanced Certification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“As soon as I put on my search gear and helmet and took off Hero’s work vest (the one she wears at her daily job), her behavior changed immediately—she knew it was time to search!
The toppled car could only be accessed by ladder. The firefighters nearby offered to lift Hero in, until, very surprised, they saw her ascend the ladder on her own. All of the rescue personnel stepped aside so we could enter. It was extremely tough going, as the floor was vertical.
In these situations, Hero’s job was to make sure that every living person was found and rescued. Over a forty-minute period she moved carefully over every surface on five different train cars, even in the engine compartment—in case someone was buried there. Hero did a great job. She was completely focused and eager, with head held high, on alert, and knew exactly what to do.”
This friendly team has amassed a devoted following. Shouts of “HERO! HERO! HERO!” ring through the station as commuters spot Su and her special partner waiting for them. Both Su and Hero loved interacting with the crowd. Unlike bomb, weapon, or drug-sniffing dogs that are not encouraged to mingle with people, Hero loved to get up close and friendly!
The team joined their task force in weekly training sessions for several years so they could remain deployment-ready.
In February of 2011, Su noticed that Hero was not her usual self and upon taking her to their veterinarian, a tumor was discovered under her jawline. Unfortunately, the tumor was inoperable but SDF had done everything we can to get Hero the best treatment possible. The decision was made to retire Hero from search and rescue work in April of 2011 but Su reported that as of June 2012, Hero continued to respond well to treatment.. In her retirement years, Hero stayed at Su’s side as a pet in her home and the two remain constant and loyal companions.
Sadly, in August 2015, Hero passed away at the age of 13 with Su by her side. Thank you, Hero, for your dedication and service to the search.
Deployments
January 26, 2005
Hero and Su were called to duty for their first deployment to help the train passengers they serve for MTA. Two Metrolink passenger trains and a Union Pacific freight train were involved in a collision in Glendale, California. One train derailed after striking an SUV that was deliberately parked on the tracks, causing the three-train collision. Hero and Su were ready to respond and made it to the site almost immediately to help with rescue efforts.
July of 2005
Hero and Su traveled to Albany, New York for five days to assist SDF’s lead trainer Pluis Davern in training four new SDF teams for the state of New York. She says it was a tremendous experience and an excellent opportunity for Hero to demonstrate her skills.
August and September 2005
Hero and Su were deployed to assist with rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
September of 2008
Hero and Su responded to the call for help coming from the Gulf Coast as Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna, and Ike slammed into the United States’ southeastern coast. After several weeks on deployment, Su and Hero are now back to their full training schedule, always preparing for the next incident.
Here is what Su has to say about being a disaster search dog handler: “I love my job! For me it’s been a great union of law enforcement and community service. I didn’t want a patrol dog with fight instinct—a dog that has been trained to bite as part of its work. I wanted a friendly, sociable working dog that could bring a sense of comfort and well being to the community, and be able to save lives when disasters strike. In Hero, I found it all!”