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)

Dingo & Joe Zakar

Dingo & Joe Zakar

 

Team Info

 

Task Force: California Task Force 8 (CA-TF8)
Agency: San Diego Fire-Rescue
Level: In training to certify

 

 

Search Dog Info

 

Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier-German Shepherd Mix
Sex: Male
Born: July 12, 2024
Recruited from City of Stockton Animal Services Center
Sponsor: Julie Croker, The DeMartini Family, Melody Euchman

 

 

Dingo was brought to the Stockton Animal Shelter as a stray after a Good Samaritan found him wandering a rural neighborhood in the brutal heat. Due to severe overcrowding at the shelter, this sweet dog was tragically only days away from euthanasia. Fortunately, one of the shelter’s fosters noticed Dingo’s obsession with playing ball and suggested they reach out to SDF. Dingo received his freedom flight soon after, arriving at our National Training Center in Santa Paula to begin a brand new chapter as a rescuer. 

 

Upon arriving on campus, Dingo proved that while he is pint-sized at just 35 pounds, this little boy packs a serious punch. A happy and prancy pup, he regularly jumps and spins with joy whenever a ball is in front of him. He quickly picked up searching small barrel fields, earning high praise from trainers who described him as a natural with a phenomenal bark alert. Dingo’s extreme eagerness to engage and collaborative nature make him an absolute blast to work with. As trainers witnessed Dingo advance through the program, they knew this spunky guy would be completely unstoppable. 

 

Dingo’s handler, Joe Zakar, always knew he was meant to become a firefighter. Beyond the day-to-day excitement of the fire service, he was drawn to the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives when they needed help the most. For Joe, being a first responder is far more than a profession—it is a lifelong calling that gives him a profound sense of purpose, whether he is responding to high-stakes emergencies or comforting someone on the worst day of their life. 

 

Joe’s desire to expand his skills led him to pursue the specialized role of a canine handler, an aspiration he held for many years after seeing the unique capabilities search teams bring to the fire service. He recognized the extraordinary ability of search dogs to locate victims when time is critical, providing hope when families and rescuers need it most. Joe embraced the tremendous daily commitment that comes with the role, knowing that training demands patience, consistency, and countless hours after the shift ends. Learning about SDF through his task force, Joe stepped up to the challenge to ensure victims have a better chance of being found, supporting his fellow responders in one of the most rewarding roles in the fire service. 

 

When Joe first met Dingo, his immediate impression was that the handsome, confident little dog would challenge him, and he was incredibly excited about that journey. Dingo clearly possessed a big personality and massive drive right from the start. Joe knew that earning Dingo’s trust and building a true partnership wouldn’t happen overnight; it would require patience, consistency, and hard work to build mutual trust and respect. The very first time Joe saw Dingo, he knew they would make a great team. 

 

Joe and Dingo were officially paired on July 18, 2026. In the short term, they are focused on building a dependable, high-level partnership through consistent training, clear communication, and mutual respect. Joe is dedicated to helping Dingo reach his full potential while continuing to grow himself as a handler. Long term, Joe aims for them to become one of the top canine teams in the country, recognized for their professionalism, reliability, and ability to perform under pressure when lives are on the line. Beyond their operational deployments, Joe looks forward to mentoring future canine handlers, sharing his knowledge to strengthen the next generation of search teams and leave a lasting impact on the communities they serve.