In early 2010, George became the second dog to join the Search Dog Foundation (SDF) ranks from Labradors and Friends Rescue in San Diego, CA. This big Black Lab with a carefree attitude, amazing agility and boundless energy just needed to find his calling in life.
The traits that helped him excel in Search Dog training were the very same traits that landed him at the rescue in the first place. Fortunately for both George and SDF, Labradors and Friends Rescue’s staff had a knack for spotting great Search Dogs.
At the time, the rescue’s president, Aubree Valentino said, “I was nine months pregnant when George came in, but I knew he had the makings to be a Search Dog…People thought I was crazy to be testing a dog in my condition, but this dog needed a job!” Aubree’s son Luke was born shortly after, and she enjoyed watching Luke grow up while George progressed through training.
SDF staff member Kellee Matthews was one of the first to work with George and described him as a very responsive, nice dog. “He has a nicely balanced temperament. He is a maniac when doing search work, but overall is an easy-to-handle and compliant guy,” said Kellee. “It’s just the combination we like to see for a Search Dog.”
George was paired with Firefighter/Paramedic Damon Wirth and joined Nebraska Task Force 1 (NE-TF1) in November of 2010. “I just love him,” said Damon shortly after being paired with his exuberant Labrador partner. “He loves to play, loves to work, and has great drive. He goes non-stop.”
Back home in Nebraska, George quickly befriended Damon’s Yellow Lab, nine-year-old Cota, but George was the only one going to the Lincoln Fire-Rescue station with Damon every day.
Damon, who worked shifts both as a paramedic and as a firefighter, relished having a busy house of dogs. “George and I are a lot alike – we have tons of energy and I can tell George likes to do a good job,” said Damon. “We have a good future ahead of us. It’s very exciting to get started on it!”
In October of 2012, Damon and George traveled to Virginia Beach, VA to be evaluated and achieved Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Certification. The team was then able to deploy anywhere that disaster struck in the nation with their teammates on NE-TF1.
In May of 2013, the team deployed with other members of their Task Force to Moore, OK, where a deadly tornado had destroyed much of the city. After several days at work in the rubble alongside canine teams from multiple states, the governor of Oklahoma was able to declare that all citizens were accounted for, thus bringing George and Damon’s first career deployment to a close.
Less than four months later, George and Damon responded to a massive flood emergency in Boulder County, deploying with NE-TF1 on September 13, 2013. The teams worked to assist the Colorado National Guard and military to bring citizens to safety. Four days after the flooding began, thousands had already been rescued but over 1,000 people were still unaccounted for and the rain continued to fall, making it more difficult for rescuers to get to those areas most affected. George and Damon spent a week in Colorado and only left when they were able to help ensure that no one had been left behind. The team returned home with new lessons learned from the deployment, which they shared with their teammates and turned into training tools that would help prepare better for the next disaster.
In addition to lessons learned, the team achieved FEMA Re-Certification in Indianapolis, IN in November of 2015 and a third time in October of 2018. All teams must be evaluated every three years to maintain their active status on a Task Force. With their official qualifications and frequent training opportunities, George and Damon were always ready to help those in need when the call came.
With time, George’s body slowed but Damon shared that his excitement for the work and thrill of running over rubble piles never faltered. AS he was preparing for retirement, George fell ill and a visit to the veterinarian revealed that he had developed liver cancer. Damon and his family showered George with love and appreciation before saying goodbye. George crossed the Rainbow Bridge on February 19, 2022, with Damon there to send him off.
We are grateful to George for his service to the nation and he will be honored at SDF’s Canine Memorial Wall.
