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 Northern California by Mike and Jody Jones.
They helped to care for Baxter and get him back on his feet. Then, in February 2006, volunteer Jessica Drew noticed Baxter’s extraordinary drive and strength, and brought the dog to the attention of SDF’s staff. Baxter was evaluated for SDF’s program and immediately proved himself a candidate for a career in search and rescue.
After eight months of formal training at SDF, it was time for then-Lead Trainer Pluis Davern to match handlers with their new canine partners. Finding the right partner for Baxter was easy. The first time the group of new handlers was introduced to the dogs in Baxter’s graduating class, Baxter ran straight over to Gary Durian of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and lay down by him for a brief moment. The partnership had begun.
“Baxter is phenomenal,”said Gary’s Training Group Leader, Marc Valentine. “He’s steady and dependable on rubble, and dynamic when searching.”
That dependability and teamwork have taken Gary and Baxter far. In February of 2007, Baxter and Gary attained FEMA Certification. In September 2008, they went on their first deployment to search for survivors in the wake of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. In addition to national deployments, Gary and Baxter have also deployed to local disasters, such as several vehicle accidents in Los Angeles in 2009.
In January 2010, they were called to one of the biggest disasters to hit the Western Hemisphere in 200 years: a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in the island nation of Haiti. On January 14, 2010, Gary and Baxter were deployed to Port-au-Prince with Los Angeles County Task Force 2. They searched for 16 days, combing the wreckage in search of victims still alive under acres of concrete and debris. Together with six other Canine Disaster Search Teams trained by the Search Dog Foundation, Gary and Baxter helped bring 12 people to safety.
Gary and Baxter’s amazing teamwork and dedication serve as an inspiration to everyone involved with Search and Rescue. Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, one of the nation’s largest breed rescue organizations and the group that gave Baxter another chance at life, recognized Baxter as their Dog of the Year for 2010. Gary and Baxter received their award in Sacramento in October 2010. “It’s a huge honor to be recognized by the people responsible for finding Baxter in the first place.”
In November 2010, Gary and Baxter traveled to New York, where the pair again proved their skills and passed their FEMA Recertification testing. Just a few months later, the pair would be again put to the ultimate test.
On March 11, 2011 Gary and Baxter deployed to Japan with Los Angeles County Task Force 2, as one of the six Canine Disaster Search Teams trained by the Search Dog Foundation. The 72-member Los Angeles-based task force was mobilized by USAID and sent into the disaster zone along with Virginia Task Force 1 to comb the wreckage in search of live victims. Canine teams helped rescuers throughout the weeks-long mission, searching many homes along the coast destroyed by the tsunami.
Baxter was retired later that year and rather than have to leave him at home alone all day while he was at the station, Gary requested that SDF find Baxter a good home. We were able to secure Baxter a very comfortable living situation with a local Ojai couple who were thrilled to welcome this canine hero into their home. Baxter joined their other Golden Retriever and the two “brothers” got along great! For the next eight years, Baxter enjoyed swimming, playing fetch and other fun past times with his Ojai family.
On June 15, 2019, at nearly 15 years of age, Baxter crossed the Rainbow Bridge. His “mom,” Debra, shared when he passed that, “He was pure love and devotion. He and I were inseparable. He was a hero for the SDF and continued his service as a cherished protective pal to Ted and me—especially me. It was an honor to provide a home for sweet B for 8 years—-the time went so fast and the years way too short.”
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity we had to work with Baxter and watch him at work as an urban disaster search and rescue canine. Thank you, Baxter, for your service to the nation and world. You will not be forgotten.
