Team Info
Task Force: California Task Force 3
Agency: San Francisco Fire Department
Level: Certified
Search Dog Info
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Sex: Male
Born: October 23, 2022
Recruited from Humane Society of Elmore County
Recruited by Rachel Leard
Sponsors: Cliff and Crystal Wyatt, Steve and Kathleen Davis
Samantha Mar became a first responder with the San Francisco Fire Department because she wanted to be able to help people in meaningful ways while also being challenged physically and mentally. She says, “This teamwork, sense of purpose, and opportunity to make a difference in my community are what drew me to this line of work.” Becoming a canine handler allowed her to combine her passion for service with her lifelong love of dogs. As she sees it, “Adding canine work to firefighting makes the job even better while giving me another way to serve my community.”
Samantha learned about the Search Dog Foundation through her training with California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3), based in San Francisco, and her journey as a canine search specialist began. Upon meeting Max, Samantha was instantly captivated, saying her first impression of him was that he was “super goofy and full of energy.”
And while he loves to play, Samantha quickly noticed that Max is “eager to search and really enjoys the job,” a perfect balance of personality and drive. Though she tried to trust the process and keep her hopes neutral, Samantha felt an undeniable connection form during their second visit, particularly through collaborative toy play. That’s when she knew she wanted him as her partner.
Samantha’s short-term goals with Max focus on building a lasting bond of trust to achieve all future certifications. Her long-term aspirations are beautifully simple: to give Max the best life, allow him to do the fantastic work he was born for, and get the opportunity to deploy to help those who need it most.
Max, a handsome boy full of potential, was found exploring a neighborhood in Wetumpka, Alabama. The local shelter described him as a big love bug who adored playing ball. SDF recruiter Rachel Leard noticed the same exuberant drive and recruited Max immediately. During a routine medical screening, X-rays revealed Max had a disturbing past: he had been shot with a pellet gun. Fortunately, the old injury did not impede his future, and he was accepted into the USAR program.
In training, Max proved to be the perfect mix of fun and intelligence, quickly showing an intense focus on the hidden victim and his handler during reward play. Trainers noted his natural talent and early on, had high hopes for this sweet pup who excels on the rubble. Their hopes paid off as Max graduated from our search program and was officially paired with Samantha Mar on October 18, 2025.
Max then returned home with Samantha and they continued to train rigorously with their CA-TF3 teammates in preparation for certification with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which they achieved in February 2026 in Phoenix, AZ. The team is now eligible to deploy as needed within their local community and nationwide. We look forward to watching their career blossom!