September's COTM is... National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

September's 

Charity of the Month is...

National Disaster

Search Dog Foundation

nominated by Cori of Terikor

Article by Cori of Terikor
Photographs used with permission

The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) brings new meaning to rescue dogs. Not only are these dogs rescued but also they are given a new job to rescue people.  

That job and the Search Dog Foundation’s mission is to strengthen disaster response in America and across the world by recruiting rescued dogs and partnering them with firefighters and other first responders to find humans buried alive in the wreckage of disasters.  

Currently there are 72 Search Dog Foundation teams located in California, Florida, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Baja, California. 

Bill and Hunter

Wilma Melville founded the Search Dog Foundation in 1996.   Wilma and her dog Murphy were deployed to Oklahoma City in 1995 following the terrorist bombing of the Federal Building. What Wilma discovered in Oklahoma was there were not enough certified search dogs/handler teams.  In 1995 there were only 15 advanced Certified disaster search dog/handler teams. Thus began Wilma’s dream to create highly skilled canine search and rescue teams.

Caddy and Jasmine

Today the Search Dog Foundation professionally trains the dogs, their partners as well as provides ongoing training programs at no cost to fire departments. The dogs are ensured a lifetime of care once they are rescued thereby the dogs never need to be rescued again.  

Not all dogs make it through the program but the Search Dog Foundation makes sure that those dogs are provided with forever homes through their Lifetime Care Program.  

SDF Dog in Training

The dogs in the program must display a tremendous amount of drive, energy, determination, boldness, athleticism and the ability to focus on any task given to them. The dogs are toy-crazy, which is important as training is rewarded with special toys. The dogs must learn what is called the “bark alert”, which lets people know there is someone, alive, and possibly unconscious in need of rescue. These dogs must also be able to move very quickly through a pile of rubble as time is of the essence in the wake of a disaster.

SDF Mock Search

The Search Dog Foundation’s teams have assisted in disasters such as Haiti Earthquake, 911, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2011 earthquake in Japan. The teams stand by for any disaster in the country.

The Ladder

Of the 72 canine teams there are only two teams that cover local, national and international disasters. They are the Los Angeles County Task Force 2 and the Fairfax, VA Task Force 1. Each task force is made up of eight canines and handlers.

Nino and Jim

Over the years, Wilma’s dreams have come to fruition.  Every year brings something new to the Search Dog Foundation. Today the Search Dog Foundation is building the first facility totally dedicated to the training of Canine Disaster Search Teams. This National Training Center is located in Santa Paula, CA.

SUPPORT

Search Dog Foundation

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EFA Members with COTM tagged products may email their item links to Cori at Terikor for promotion on SDF's Fb page - please be sure each listing discloses the amount or percentage that the item will benefit COTM upon its sale.

Thank you !