Search Teams

Our Search Teams

California Regional Task Force 7 (CA-RTF7) Ventura County

California Task Force 1 (CA-TF1) Los Angeles City

California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) Los Angeles County

California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3) Bay Area

California Task Force 4 (CA-TF4) Oakland

California Task Force 5 (CA-TF5) Orange County

California Task Force 7 (CA-TF7) Sacramento

California Task Force 8 (CA-TF8) San Diego

Nebraska Task Force 1 (NE-TF1)

New York Task Force 2 (NY-TF2)

Oklahoma Task Force 1 (OK-TF1)

Tijuana Task Force 1 (TIJ-TF1)

Utah Task Force 1 (UT-TF1)

Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2)

Jet & Lauren Cardin

Jet & Lauren Cardin

 

Team Info

 

Task Force: California Task Force 2
Agency: Los Angeles County Fire Department
Level: Certified

 

 

Search Dog Info

 

Breed: Labrador Retriever
Sex: Male
Born: March 27, 2024
Recruited from Folklore Canine
Sponsors: The Joel and Dena Gambord Family

 

 

Jet’s journey into the world of search and rescue began at Folklore Canine, where he was identified early on as a “true search dog puppy.” Generously donated to the Search Dog Foundation, this vibrant Labrador quickly made a name for himself at our National Training Center. While he initially showed a bit of caution on the rubble, our training staff used a supportive, confidence-building approach—including “play dates” on the pile with his best buddy, Bolt—to help him find his footing. Today, Jet is a standout, effortlessly navigating ladders and wobbly surfaces while belting out his signature bark alert.  

 

Matching Jet’s specialized skills is his handler, Lauren Cardin, whose path to the fire service actually began with a dog. While raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Lauren was reunited with Mondo, a “career change” guide dog who clearly needed a high-octane job. After seeing a television special on the 9/11 search teams at Ground Zero, Lauren found her calling. She joined a volunteer search team with Mondo, eventually attending a Canine Search Specialist school where veteran handlers encouraged her to pursue firefighting and paramedicine. Lauren took their advice and ran with it, becoming a civilian handler first and then a professional firefighter.  

 

Lauren’s history with SDF goes back years to her time as a “broke college kid” in the FEMA system, when the Foundation provided food vouchers for her canine partner. “It meant a lot to me,” Lauren recalls. “SDF helped me keep my partner fed with good food when I was just starting out. I never forgot that.”  

 

When it came time to find her next partner, the pairing with Jet was a delightful surprise. Although Lauren had only worked with him briefly during “speed dating” sessions, the training staff noticed an immediate connection in how the two played together. During their evaluation, Jet showed a level of “swagger” that impressed Lauren. After crushing a search, Jet celebrated by having a solo pool party in his water bowl—a move that earned him the nickname “Jethro” and sealed the bond. “He made me laugh with his big personality,” Lauren says. “I was pretty partial to being partnered with him from then on.”  

 

Jet and Lauren were officially paired on April 18, 2026. Weeks later, they achieved FEMA Certification in Puyallup, Washington on May 2. Certification allows them to deploy globally with their California Task Force 2 teammates when major disasters occur.  

 

But it’s not all work for this duo; Lauren is already planning to introduce the water-loving Jet to the family tradition of paddleboarding this summer. Together, they are preparing for a long career of problem-solving and teamwork, ready to answer the call whenever disaster strikes.