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)

Rory & Tai Kang

Rory & Tai Kang

 

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 6, 2024
Recruited from Safe Harbor Lab Rescue
Recruited by Katie Brennan
Sponsors: PKW Fund at the Dallas Foundation, Carol George and Roger Stewart, Lazin Animal Foundation

 

 

Rory’s journey to the Search Dog Foundation began in Colorado, when his previous owners realized his high energy was more than a typical pet home could manage. Hoping to find him a purposeful outlet, they surrendered him to Safe Harbor Lab Rescue. Having previously referred a successful candidate to our program, Safe Harbor recognized Rory’s intense drive and contacted our recruitment team. Soon after, Rory and his foster mother made the long road trip from Colorado to our National Training Center in Santa Paula to see if he had what it takes.  

 

Upon arrival, Rory proved to be a star in the making! While he is a sweet dog with impeccable manners, his work ethic is all business. He quickly progressed through his foundational drive work and excelled in the barrel field, mastering complex odor pictures and developing a strong bark alert. After passing his medical screenings, Rory was officially accepted into our Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) program, where he tackled new challenges on the rubble with enthusiasm.  

 

Matching Rory’s intensity is his handler, Tai Kang. Tai’s path to service was spontaneous; while working as a nonprofit intern in Washington, D.C., and considering a career in law, he witnessed a team of firefighters assisting a citizen in need. That moment of community impact changed his trajectory. “I’ve always been spontaneous, active, and daring,” Tai says. “Between the commotion of the fire engine and the man they were helping, I thought to myself, ‘now that’s how I want to be involved in the community.’”  

 

Tai’s passion for the dog world began in college with his first German Shepherd. After spending years immersed in training videos and refining his skills with his own dog, he never lost the “itch” for specialty canine work. After joining the Los Angeles County Fire Department, he learned about the search program and the Search Dog Foundation’s mission to give rescued dogs a new purpose. He knew immediately that he wanted to collaborate with SDF to advance his experience into the world of disaster search.  

 

When Tai first met Rory, he was struck by the Lab’s singular focus. Rory isn’t interested in snuggles or pets—he is entirely motivated by the ball. This “all business” attitude was exactly what Tai was looking for in a partner. The bond was sealed during their first interactions, driven by Rory’s signature intense gaze. “It felt like he was looking into my soul,” Tai recalls, “maybe because he thought there was a ball in there!”  

 

Tai and Rory were officially paired on April 18, 2026, and became FEMA certified a few short weeks later on May 2nd. Certification allows them to deploy globally with their California Task Force 2 teammates. With Rory’s unwavering drive and Tai’s dedication to the craft, we’re excited to see this pair become a vital resource for the community and the nation.