Team Info
Task Force: Oklahoma Task Force 1 (Tulsa)
Agency: Tulsa Fire
Level: Certified
Search Dog Info
Breed: Yellow Lab
Sex: Male
Born: August 28, 2019
Recruited from: Little Angels Service Dogs
Sponsor: B & B Foundation
Stryker came to us as a career change from Little Angels Service Dogs, a San Diego nonprofit that partners service dogs with the disabled. Stryker’s toy drive proved too intense for Little Angel’s program, so his trainer drove Stryker to SDF to be evaluated as a search dog trainee. Luckily for us, Stryker’s high energy fit the bill as a potential USAR candidate, and he was accepted into our program!
Because of his prior training, this dynamic yellow Labrador came ready and willing to retrieve, with a lot of impulse control around the toy. Despite his love of the retrieve game, he didn’t realize that tugging the toy was also encouraged. Trainers worked hard to develop Stryker’s toy play and tug game, and within a few short foundational sessions, they found his pushy side – Stryker LOVES to tug now!
Stryker is a quick learner who seems built for search! He flew through his obedience elements in what could be record time and quickly progressed through the program. Trainers were always impressed with Stryker – even though he’s a big lug, he’s a smart and biddable boy who always wants to do the right thing.
On July 2, 2022, Stryker was paired with Justin Montgomery of Tulsa Fire, Oklahoma Task Force 1. A firefighter for six and half years, Justin was drawn to this career because he loves to help people in need. He also likes the adrenaline rush of going on different calls and the brotherhood of the department, which is like a second family.
Justin became interested in working with search dogs when a canine handler transferred to his station and brought his dog to work with him. It was fascinating to see everything the dog could do! He heard about SDF through other handlers on his task force and soon enrolled in the search program.
Justin says he and Stryker began to “click” about the third or fourth time they trained together. He felt a connection to Stryker that improved their performance as a team, and he could not be more thrilled that they’re official partners.
The team’s hard work together paid off when they achieved certification through the State Urban Search and REscue Alliance (SUSAR) operating system on April 15, 2023! This means that the team is eligible to deploy with their task force teammates when disasters occur within the region.
We couldn’t be more thrilled either! We are so proud of their hard work and can’t wait to see all they accomplish together!