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)

Winston & Cristina Padilla

Winston & Cristina Padilla

 

Team Info

 

Task Force: California Task Force 3
Agency: San Francisco Fire Department
Level: Certified

 

 

Search Dog Info

 

Breed: Labrador Retriever
Sex: Male
Born: April 29, 2023
Recruited from Lab Rescue of Greater Richmond
Recruited by Sylvia Stoney
Sponsor: David and Barbara Barnhart

 

 

Inspired by the Roseville Fire Department’s Kids Fire Camp at just 13 years old, Cristina Padilla knew her purpose was to become a firefighter. She was drawn to a career that is both physically and mentally demanding, requiring constant training to perform at the highest level. “Working as a team to help people on their worst days, in environments that require you to adapt and overcome any obstacle, is where I thrive,” she says.  

 

During the hiring process to become a firefighter, a chance meeting with Chief Jasmine Segura and her canine partner, Cadillac, ignited a new passion in Cristina: becoming a canine handler. The encounter was so profound that Cristina reevaluated her career path, ensuring she only applied to fire departments that offered the opportunity to become a canine handler. Hired by the San Francisco Fire Department in 2021, she immediately began pursuing her goal.  

 

Cristina learned about SDF from fellow firefighter Lauren Canning, who was paired with Search Dog Barney in 2022. Following Lauren’s guidance, Cristina began attending trainings with California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3) shortly after completing her firefighter probation.  

 

In 2025, Cristina went through SDF’s handler application process and was selected as a candidate for CA-TF3. Upon meeting her new canine partner, Winston, Cristina was struck by his athletic physique and confident, cerebral nature. At the same time, she saw a classic Labrador who loves to cuddle and has a never-ending appetite for retrieving. Learning about Winston’s backstory, Cristina knew he would need a handler with exceptional patience. A pivotal moment came when she spent 45 minutes simply waiting for him to drop a ball. When he finally did, she felt she had earned his trust and was honored to show him the love and understanding he deserved. “As we started the early stages of our training, I could instantly tell he was going to teach me a lot about myself and keep me accountable. That is what I’ve always hoped for in a canine partner,” Cristina says.  

 

When he was ready to graduate from SDF, Winston was paired with Cristina on October 18, 2025.  

 

Cristina’s short-term goal with Winston was to build a strong foundation and achieve FEMA certification, which they accomplished February of 2026, in Phoenix, AZ. In the long term, she looks forward to deploying with Winston, where they can do what they love most together: helping people.  

 

Winston comes from Waynesboro, VA, where, during a routine veterinarian visit, witnesses observed Winston’s owner abusing him in the lobby and quickly intervened. Animal Control assessed the situation and compelled the owner to surrender Winston to his veterinarian, who offered to adopt him and help find him a good home.   

 

Despite the horrible treatment he endured, Winston remained a sweet boy who loved to play ball and give paw hugs to everyone he met. Winston’s “village” includes Lab Rescue of Greater Richmond, where the trainer/behaviorist evaluated Winston and determined that he demonstrated potential as a working dog. After conducting some online research, the rescue found SDF’s website and reached out to see if Winston would be a good fit for our training program.   

 

Once on our campus, Winston showed us that he’s a smart and energetic boy who’s ready for a job. He passed his medical screening and was officially accepted into the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) program, starting on the barrel field and learning how to use his bark. He progressed quickly and soon moved up to searching large barrel fields and working on rubble.   

 

Winston is a sweet, affectionate boy who is always ready to work, and we have a great time working with him. We’re so happy he is bound for a wonderful life—as a USAR search dog and beyond!  We look forward to seeing what Winston and Cristina achieve together!