Six Canine Disaster Search Teams trained by the Search Dog Foundation have been activated to respond to the deadly earthquake and Tsunami in Japan as part of Los Angeles County Fire Department’s California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2).

The L. A. Task Force was mobilized along with Virginia’s Task Force 1 by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) which has dispatched Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to help coordinate rescue efforts. Each Task Force will be composed of approximately 72 personnel, including Urban Search and Rescue canines, and some 75 tons of rescue equipment.

I thought you’d like to meet them! You’ll see some of the dogs from the Virginia Task Force (you’ll meet them later) at the gym with the SDF team where they are all bunking together in Japan. But for now, I’d like to introduce you to my heroes on the SDF team Riley, Baxter, Pearl, Hunter, Cadillac and Joe! They are going to guide you through the pictures of them in Japan.

Hi! My name is Riley and I’m in Japan now working hard with my handler Eric Gray. We’re from the Santa Barbara County Fire Dept but we also belong to the world famous Search Dog Foundation. I’m a 4 year old boy and I’m a yellow lab. You’ll meet my buddies who came with me to Japan, Baxter, Pearl, Hunter, Cadillac and Joe. If you want to know more about us, our life stories and stuff, click on our links!

I’m Baxter and my handler, or co-pilot as I like to say, is Gary Durian, and I’m from the L.A. County Fire & the Search Dog Foundation. I’m a 7 year old boy and I’m a Golden Retriever. It’s hard to believe, but my beginning in life was rather humble, I was rescued from the streets of Northern California.

My name is Pearl, like the beautiful rare black pearl, and plus I have nice teeth. I’m from L.A. County Fire Dept & the Search Dog Foundation too. I’m a 6 year old girl, a Black Lab and my handler and side-kick is Ron Horetski. I was homeless dog rescued from a shelter and now I’m famous. HA HA. I’m in the video From Rescued to Rescuer (above). Oh, and because I’m so special I’m also in a new book called A New Job for Pearl, it was created to help raise money for SDF. 

My name is Hunter and I’m full of piss and vinegar & can’t wait to get to work every day and my handler is Bill Monahan, and he’s the Captain with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. We also belong to the Search Dog Foundation. We’re pretty proud of that, if I do say so myself.  Oh, I’m a 9 year old boy and I’m a red and white Border Collie.

Hi! My name is Cadillac, Caddy for short, and my handler is Jasmine Segura. I’m a 7 year old boy and I’m a Black Lab. I was born into a litter bred for Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). I’m from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and belong to the Search Dog Foundation.

Hi there! My name is Joe and my handler is Linda Tacconelli. We’re the only civis in the group. We volunteer for the Search Dog Foundation and we’re from Santa Barbara. I’m a 5 year old boy and I’m a Golden Lab. I was rescued by the Humane Society, just goes to show you shelter dogs are awesome! Now get ready for the show! We thought you’d like to see what we’ve been up to in Japan.

Here we are arriving in Japan. Whew, that was long flight. That’s Riley and Eric out in front! Next were off to our base where we’ll be bunking.

Here we are, all the firefighter teams together where we set up our base of operations inside an elementary school gym.

Here we are at the gymnasium. That’s me, Riley. And that’s my pal Hunter sitting on his crate. Geeze what a circus!

These guys are from the Virginia Task Force from Fairfax County. Just kickin’ it till the show get’s on the road.

That’s me, Hunter and my partner Bill. It’s snowing now, but we don’t mind. Boy, it sure is a disaster, though. I feel so sorry for the people here.

That’s me, Riley, in the middle of the rubble with my handler and best friend Eric and the other guys from L.A.

Here we go. You can see me, Riley, at the end of the line.

Make a Donation to the Search Dog Foundation

SDF’s 75 Search Teams across the country have been part of 75 deployments-including the World Trade Center attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and the Haiti disaster, where they helped bring 12 people to safety. Their new assignment: the devastating earthquake in Japan. Each time the teams deploy they come back with crucial lessons that are shared with all Search Teams to sharpen training techniques and tactics and enhance emergency response in our country…and abroad. Make your own mark on disaster preparedness. Help turn a rescued dog into a rescuer and bring this crucial resource to the nation at no cost to the government or taxpayers-by making your donation today.

Call the Search Dog Foundation at (888) 459-4376 x 105, or choose SUBMIT DONATION.
Here are some examples of how your gift will help rescue dogs, and save lives:

$50              “Adoption Fee” to release a dog from a County Shelter
$100            One week of trainer’s time to evaluate a canine for acceptance to SDF’s program
$250            Basic obedience training to prepare Lifetime Care canines for their new home
$500            Medical care for a rescued dog, including spay and neuter, vaccinations, x-rays, and micro-chipping
$800            One month of boarding and training a future Search Dog at Sundowners Kennel
$1,000        Partnering Search Dog and Handler – travel, initial training, and deployment gear
$10,000     Sponsor a Search Dog – Learn More!
Other            Enter amount here: What ever you can afford!
Or you can make an automatic monthly giving donation. Please, call to set up your account.