Sarge’s success story is one of true teamwork. This handsome Chocolate Lab was discovered at the Merced County Animal Shelter by a volunteer with Central Coast Labrador Rescue. A narcotics detection canine trainer named Julia Ford who lived in the area received a call from the rescue that they had found a beautiful, healthy young Lab with far too much energy and drive to be placed in a “normal” home.
Julia immediately adopted the dog, and after her initial evaluation she determined this guy might have that special something that would enable him to have a successful career as a Urban Disaster Search and Rescue dog. After a second evaluation with SDF’s Lead Trainer at the time, Pluis Davern, we were pleased to accept Sarge into the program.
As Julia recalls, “He was trying to climb over my ten-foot fence. He actually made it to the top and got stuck. I had to climb up and rescue him. Thankfully, he was fine,” said Julia. “I’m used to dogs that need a job, but Sarge was so bold – he was a real handful!”
That boldness made Sarge an excellent Search Dog. Once paired with Chief Aide Barbat of San Diego Fire-Rescue on September 22, 2010, Sarge’s strength and drive were put to good use as a member of California Task Force 8.
Aide loved Sarge and said “He’s a great dog. He’s so strong and loves the search game. Nothing gets in his way.” Aide had been working with several dogs under the guidance of SDF trainers to see whose personality would suit him best. “I honestly didn’t know which dog I would get, but Sarge and I got along really well from the start. The trainers felt that Sarge would also fit in well with my family,” said Aide. Once paired, Sarge joined the Barbat family in El Cajon, CA, where Sarge and Aide spent 24 hours a day together, both at work and at home.
The team trained together intensively, forming the strong bond needed in order to work cooperatively as a team. In June of 2011 they achieved Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Certification, which would allow them to deploy to disasters throughout the United States when needed. In accordance with FEMA regulations, they Re-Certified three years later in Denver, CO, in order to remain ready to deploy at a moment’s notice should the call come.
All of their training was put to use when a bluff collapsed in Del Mar, CA on July 13, 2016. A witness reported they thought they had seen a pedestrian walking by when the ground gave way. Aide and Sarge deployed alongside teammates Brent Brainard and Decker, and were on the scene less than twenty minutes after the call came in. Following a thorough search during which neither dog alerted, Aide and Brent concluded that no one was trapped alive under the rubble. The handlers were very pleased with the ways their canine partners performed, and that no civilians were injured.
Just before his tenth birthday, Sarge retired from the task force on May 31, 2017 so that he could begin to enjoy his senior years. He lived as a pet in the Barbat home, along with Aide’s previously retired canine, Martini, and newest Search Dog partner, Delta, for several years. Sarge never lost his love of a good game of tug, even well into his senior years!
On July 28, 2021, Aide said goodbye to his partner as Sarge peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge. We are grateful to Sarge for his service to the nation and know that he and Martini are playing fetch together now, looking over Aide and