SDF volunteer Laura Rathe found Jagger at Haven Humane Society in Redding, CA in December of 2007. He had arrived the week before as a stray and was severely malnourished. Despite his health problems, Jagger was extremely ball-driven and wanted to play.
Laura evaluated Jagger for our program and immediately brought him to SDF to start training as a Search Dog. When Jagger began formal training with SDF, he was still so sick that the kennel staff was not sure he would make it. Eventually, their care and concern paid off and Jagger was successfully nursed back to health.
Strong and healthy once again, Jagger was paired with Oklahoma City firefighter Lieutenant Jason Smith. Jagger was a good male companion for Jason, who lives with his wife Corine and three daughters, as well as their female Shih Tzu, Susie Q, in Blanchard, OK.
Jagger and Jason worked hard in the months following their pairing and passed their State Urban Search and Rescue (SUSAR) Type II Certification in August of 2009, allowing them to deploy in the mid-west as members of Oklahoma Task Force 1.
Unfortunately, it was not long before Jagger’s search skills were tested. On the afternoon of May 10, 2010, seven deadly tornadoes touched down near Oklahoma City. The twisters killed five people, injured dozens and damaged over 50 homes across three counties in a matter of hours. Jason & Jagger were deployed to the disaster site. They combed the wreckage of areas hardest hit by the tornadoes, including homes, businesses and an airport. They worked through the night to ensure no one was left behind.
The team then went on to achieve SUSAR Type I Certification in September of 2010, which proved they had established a set of advanced skills that could be used the next time disaster struck.
Throughout their careers, the team responded to the following disasters in aid of Oklahoma Task Force 1 and were able to ensure that missing citizens were accounted for:
May 10, 2010 – Oklahoma City, OK
May 23, 2011 – Tornado – Joplin, MO
May 19, 2013 – Tornado – Shawnee, OK
May 20, 2013 – Tornado – Moore, OK
In order to maintain their deployment-ready status, canine search teams must re-certify every three years in accordance with SUSAR standards. Jason and Jagger achieved re-certification in Tulsa, Oklahoma in June of 2013 and again in Salina, KS in May of 2016.
Jagger and Jason continued to train weekly with their task force teammates in order to retain their high skill level and mentor the newer members. On June 28, 2017, at the age of 11, Jagger officially retired from Oklahoma Task Force 1. He happily enjoyed his golden years as a beloved pet in the Smith home until he passed away from natural causes on March 30, 2019.
Thank you, Jagger, for your service to home and country.