Nino was an energetic Fox Red Labrador Retriever, and since he began on the path towards becoming a FEMA-Certified Disaster Search Dog, he impressed everyone he met with his athleticism and drive. Added to this is the absolute joy he finds in barking—which, for a Search Dog, is a powerful tool.
Picked up as a stray in Roseville, CA, Nino was brought to the Placer County SPCA in August of 2006. He lived there until October, when volunteer recruiter Jessica Huggins recognized his talent and called SDF. Sacramento firefighter and retired SDF handler Shani Cornell evaluated the energetic pup and he passed with flying colors.
Trainer Kate Davern remembers, “Nino was so strong and energetic; so enthusiastic about searching, that we had to be careful training him. His overdrive was balanced out by his incredible sweetness. Once he learned he would be petted if he sat still for a minute, he loved it.”
Nino was paired with Marin County Fire Captain Jim Boggeri in the summer of 2008. Jim previously had Search Dog Recon who, after nine years of service and deployment to several disasters, including Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav and a Mill Valley mudslide, crossed the Rainbow Bridge in January of 2012.
Jim and Nino first achieved FEMA Certification in October of 2009, then re-certified in June of 2012, allowing them to be deployed anywhere that disaster strikes in the United States.
On August 24, 2014, the team was called upon to respond with Regional Task Force 1 to a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Napa. The team was assigned to the downtown Napa area and, thankfully, all of the city’s citizens had been accounted for.
Nino retired in June of 2015, spending his days relaxing at home with Jim and his family and chewing up all the toys he could find. Jim shared he enjoyed every minute of retirement and soaked up all the affection and attention he could.
Sadly, on February 3, 2020, as Nino’s health began to decline with age, Jim had to let Nino go when it became clear that he was no longer able to enjoy the life he loved so much. With Jim at his side, Nino crossed the Rainbow Bridge at nearly 15 years old.