Team Info
Task Force: Nebraska Task Force 1 (NE-TF1)
Level: DHS/FEMA Certified
Most Recent Certification: November 22, 2020
Search Dog Info
Breed: Golden Retriever
Sex: Male
Born: November 15, 2016
Recruited from: Indiana K9 Learning Center in Elkhart, IN
Sponsor: Julie Croker
Storm, a distinguished red Golden Retriever, came to SDF from the Indiana K9 Learning Center. He had already shown promise as a working dog and was nearly placed with a detection agency when the center’s owner recognized that Storm would thrive as a disaster search dog, thanks to his high levels of energy and desire to work for his toy. Having visited our campus to learn more about our life-saving mission years ago, his previous owner knew that Storm would be well cared for and could achieve his true potential with SDF!
He spent months training tirelessly and charming our staff members every moment he was off-the-clock.
On August 28, 2020, Storm was officially partnered with veteran handler Andrew Pitcher, who’s previous partners include SDF-trained Golden Retriever Chief, as well as several other non-SDF trained canines.
After seeing the destruction on 9/11, New Zealand native Andrew became a U.S. citizen to be deployable through FEMA to help civilians when needed most. Since then, he has deployed to disasters including Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana as well as deployments in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas with Chief.
From the start, this incredible team has exemplified the human-canine bond that makes these search teams so very special. We are proud that Storm gets to continue a legacy of successful search dogs with Andrew and have no doubt that the two will excel in their career together.