Team Info
Task Force: Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2)
Agency: City of Suffolk Fire & Rescue
Level: In training to certify
Search Dog Info
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Sex: Male
Born: September 11, 2020
Recruited from: Tooele City Animal Shelter
Sponsors: David and Barbara Barnhart
Ridge was found as a stray in Tooele County, Utah, and brought to the Tooele City Animal Shelter. There, he was adopted twice and returned to the shelter for the same reason: Ridge had “way too much energy.” He was constantly in motion, played nonstop with his toys, and was an escape artist. At his last adopter’s home, Ridge managed to escape and run away, and the adopters didn’t even bother to look for him. Ridge was eventually picked up and brought to the shelter again. At this point, Ridge was well acquainted with shelter staff and greeted them like old buddies at a homecoming.
Luckily, an SDF recruiter spotted Ridge in the shelter and saw his potential. Ridge was transferred to our National Training Center in California, and the long cycle of humans failing Ridge was finally broken.
During his performance screening, Ridge blew everyone away with his drive and intensity. Spry and smart, Ridge progressed quickly through the program. Trainers say Ridge is the perfect package of a working dog: intense, focused, and thoughtful in his job and relaxed and snuggly in his downtime. Ridge graduated search training with flying colors and was paired with Chris Cook of Virginia Task Force 2 on November 12, 2022.
Prior to becoming a firefighter, Chris Cook worked in construction as a plumber’s helper while he went through his apprenticeship in plumbing. After 9/11, his interest in firefighting intensified, and he began volunteering as a firefighter. While attending a Collapse Specialist Technician course, he saw how fast a canine could locate a live victim versus the hours or days it would take a first responder, and his interest in canine handling was immediately piqued. He was introduced to Shawn Hall, an SDF canine handler and canine coordinator for Virginia Task Force 2, who told him about the canine handler program.
Chris’ first impression when working with Ridge was that it would be a painful experience! Ridge was very possessive of his toys, and Chris was convinced it would be difficult to rein him in. Fortunately, they worked together better than Chris expected and progressed faster than he thought they would. Chris knew Ridge was the partner for him when they were at an offsite training, and Ridge completed a search and then immediately returned to Chris for toy reward and play.
Now home with Chris in Virginia, Ridge fits in perfectly with family life. He loves to cuddle, and Chris’ wife and kids enjoy getting and giving Ridge affection. As for Chris, he looks forward to continuing their training together to earn their certification and strengthening their bond over the course of their life and career.