National Disaster Search Dog Foundation Winter 2008

In Memory: AnA

July 4, 1995 – November 12, 2008

SDF Founder, Wilma Melville:

As the first canine recruited for our program, and the first to become Certified, Ana and her partner Rick Lee set a high standard for all Search Teams to follow. In founding the Search Dog Foundation, I was looking for the right model of recruitment and training that would be successful and could be replicated. Ana’s amazing agility, bubbly personality and “can do” attitude were just what I wanted. Impos-sibly energetic and active as a puppy, Ana had been thrown out of her first few homes and was eventually placed with Bonnie Bergin to be trained as a Service Dog. But Bonnie could see she had far too much energy for that line of work, and gave me a call.

Ana was partnered with Captain Rick Lee of Sacramento City Fire. The two couldn’t have been better suited for each other. They achieved Certification after just seven months of training together, a record no SDF team has matched. They taught and supported many new teams through the years, and set the highest standard for all to follow.

Harley and Dusty, Ana’s canine “classmates,” have passed on, leaving Ana as the last of the founding SDF Search Dogs to leave us. Ana will be greatly missed by all, but her legacy lives on, in a new generation of Search Dogs.

Captain Rick Lee:

We had absolutely no idea what we were getting into when we started SDF’s fledging program in terms of the level of responsibility, the time commitment, or the impact it would have on our lives. As the first handlers in SDF’s program, we were driven to prove ourselves to the search and rescue community.

After four years of training, in 2001 we were deployed to the World Trade Center. The experience at Ground Zero was devastating. Life there was heartbreaking, horrific—a treacherous challenge for rescuers.

Ana navigated the twisted metal, over void spaces–some so large it was like walking on a high wire, some so small she could barely fit in. As the dogs searched, all of the rescuers silently waited. The other firefighters were amazed at the dogs’ skills. We never dreamed we would have this much responsibility.

Ana never lacked confidence, gracefully negotiating the wreckage, performing above her training and my expectations. We will be forever grateful to the Search Dog Foundation for the experiences and the life-long friendships these experiences have given us.

SearchDogsUSA President, David Kaplan:

Over the years I’ve had a chance to meet many handlers and observe many teams. But it was Rick and Ana who always caught my eye. There was something about how they worked as a team: their discipline, energy and dedication to the search. The first time I had a chance to see their work up close was at IronDog 2002 in San Diego. When I saw Ana next to her big classmates, Dusty and Harley, I wondered how that little dog could keep up with them. Thirty seconds into the search, Ana and Rick were leading the way, all the way to the very end.

The last time I saw Ana was at the May 2008 event to celebrate the future National Training Center site. She officially represented our Founding Four: Dusty, Harley and Wilma’s own dog, Murphy. With her passing the ground is blessed with the soul of Ana, and of SDF.

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Hurricanes Gustav & ikePhotos by SDF Handler Gary Durian (L.A. County Fire)

On September 1, 2008 at 9:30 a.m., Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana. Within two weeks, the death toll had reached 138 in the U.S. and Caribbean, with damages in the U.S. alone totaling $15 billion. Hurricane Hanna hit next, dealing a lesser blow. But the worst was yet to come, and officials took no chances, declaring a state of emergency in Florida, Louisiana and Texas as Hurricane Ike approached. On September 11, Texas coast residents were warned they faced “certain death” if they didn’t evacuate. Ike slammed into Galveston on September 13 at 2:10 a.m. Sixty-one people perished, and damages were estimated at $18 billion. Thousands had ignored evacuation orders, including 40 percent of the residents of Galveston Island.

Fifteen SDF teams were deployed to Texas, Louisiana and Alabama to aid in search and rescue efforts. Their main objective was to “clear” buildings and ensure that no one was left in need of help.

Among the teams deployed were Michele Vaughn and her canine partner Comet, who were sent to Galveston with two other Bay Area teams. “Comet and all the other dogs did fantastic work. Some people thought they might get in trouble for staying behind, so they wouldn’t answer the door. Comet found two families hunkering down in their apartments. One family we convinced to go to a shelter, the other family did not want to leave and sheltered in place.”

SDF handler Deresa Teller and her partner Ranger also conducted door-to-door searches for several days in Beaumont, Texas, ultimately evacuating close to 500 people. Being the dog-lover that all SDF handlers

are, Deresa also left some of Ranger’s food for the numerous dogs and puppies left behind in the mass exodus from the city.

The teams spent their “down time” training for future deployments on rubble left in the wake of the hurricanes. Tom Carney and his partner Gypsy took advantage of the new experiences in the South. “Every day we trained and did building searches. What made this deployment unique were the copperhead snakes, poison oak and poison ivy. All of this was in a completely different climate than what our dogs are used to, and we had to hydrate the dogs frequently in the 95 percent humidity.”

After several weeks of deployment everyone was exhausted from training almost every day, when they weren’t searching for and evacuating residents. By September 18 all SDF teams had returned home safely—honored to be able to serve.

Su Vodrazka & Hero, Marc Valentine & Val, Mike Taul & Jessie, Michele Vaughn & Comet, Deresa Teller & Ranger, Jim Boggeri & Recon, Gary Durian & Baxter, Russell Tao & Andy, Jason Vasquez & Maverick

chatsworth train collision

On the afternoon of Friday, September 12th, a Metrolink commuter train collided with a freight train near Los Angeles, killing 25 and injuring over a hundred others. Three Search Dog Foundation canine teams were deployed to the wreckage to assist emergency personnel in the search for surviving passengers trapped in the cars.

First on-scene were Ron Weckbacher (an SDF civilian handler in service to California Task Force 2), and Abby, his Black Labrador. The team searched all four cars connected to the Metrolink engine. The first car had been reduced to mangled bits of steel after the Metrolink engine was shoved into it by the impact, making the search very difficult. Abby searched in several areas where, had she lost her footing, she would have dropped eight feet below into the wreckage.

Reported Ron: “It was very slippery and difficult at places. Thankfully, Abby knows what she’s doing, and was able to maneuver well through those tough spots, including walking across four-inch beams.” During her search, Abby was supported by Ron and SDF Handler Gary Smith, who was already on-scene in his capacity as a firefighter with Ventura County Fire.

SDF teams Bill Monahan and Hunter (with L.A. County Fire) and Dan Solis and Sandi (with Kern County Fire) were also deployed to the disaster to assist in

s d f s e a r c H t e a m s r e s p o n d

the search. Says Bill: “When we arrived on-scene, it was tragic. The loss of life was devastating. Thankfully, the dogs did exactly what SDF has trained them to do, and impressed the other rescue workers with their ability to search the area so thoroughly and quickly. In the process, they brought comfort to all the families involved, knowing that everything possible was being done to find their loved ones.”

Luckily, Ron and Abby live close to the crash site, but Dan and Bill were further away and had to be flown in by helicopter, courtesy of Kern County Fire Department. The helicopter picked up Bill and Hunter at a fire station close to their home, then flew to a field near Dan’s house to pick up Dan and Sandi. From there, the teams were flown to Van Nuys Airport and escorted to the disaster site by L.A. City Fire Department. Dan says the time it takes to get to a disaster makes all the difference in their ability to help. “The close working relationship between Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City and Kern County Fire departments made it possible for us to take advantage of the helicopter transport, which saved precious time.”

During this time, fourteen of SDF’s canine search teams were in Louisiana and Texas, helping out in the Hurricane search and rescue efforts. “It’s lucky that Ron and Dan and I were available and ready to respond,” says Bill. “This is why the country needs a full roster of teams, at full deployment readiness, at all times—to give our communities the protection they need, and deserve.”

Dan Solis & Sandi, Bill Monahan & Hunter arrive by helicopter nick smirnoff - tehachapi news photo

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Abby in search of survivors ventura county star photo

Bill Monahan & Hunter

Ron Weckbacher & Abby

Dan & Sandi, Bill & Hunter nick smirnoff - tehachapi news photo

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sdf’s newest search teams Oklahoma is tornado country, and no technology can match a dog’s ability and a firefighter’s skill in finding people caught in the wake of a twister’s wrath. Thanks to an extraordinary sense of smell and ability to safely navigate dangerous terrain, a dog can find survivors, conscious or not, faster and more safely than any other “tool” in the first responder’s toolbox.

The Oklahoma City and Tulsa Fire Departments have partnered with SDF to create eleven Canine Search Teams to respond to disasters such as tornadoes, mudslides, building collapses…and terrorist attacks. On December 4, Oklahoma City officially welcomed its five new SDF Search Teams, symbolized by exchanging the training kerchief of each canine for an official Search Dog vest. Local dignitaries and representatives from the Oklahoma City Fire Department and the Oklahoma City National Museum welcomed the new teams. SDF Founder Wilma Melville, Lead Trainer Pluis Davern, and Executive Director Debra Tosch were on hand to formally present the canines to their new handlers.

The Oklahoma Search Teams have very special significance to the Search Dog Foundation.

Not only is this the largest training group in our twelve-year history, it also marks a return to SDF’s Midwest roots. It was her deployment to the Oklahoma Federal Building bombing in 1995 that inspired SDF Founder Wilma Melville to establish the Search Dog Foundation and help fill a critical gap in America’s emergency response system.

lt. chet clark & elvisIf I’d had Elvis then…

As an accomplished escape artist, Elvis was notorious in the neighborhood. After a neighbor threatened to shoot the wandering Chocolate Lab, Elvis’ family decided they had to give him up. He arrived at the Santa Maria (CA) Animal Shelter in April 2008, and quickly impressed the staff with his boundless energy and ball obsession. The staff called SDF volunteer Heidi Miller, who tested Elvis and introduced him to SDF. Now paired with Oklahoma City firefighter Chet Clark, Elvis continues to be an escape artist, but a well-trained one! Chet and his wife Darla will be caring for Elvis, Boomer the Beagle, and Pearl the cockatiel.

“It’s amazing to see an animal taken from a pound and turned into a highly trained canine. Most of SDF’s dogs were animals someone didn’t want or just couldn’t control, and they’ve been transformed into dogs who can save a life. We really need these dogs for the tornadoes we have in Oklahoma. Two months ago a child was reported to have been stuck in a storm drain. If I had Elvis then, he could have crawled through the blocks of storm drains.”

lt. mark edwards & taz Count me in!

Taz was rescued by SDF Volunteer Laura Rathe from the Crescent City Animal Shelter on a tip from the shelter about this exceptionally extroverted dog. Taz arrived at Sundowners Kennels in March 2008 and passed his evaluation with flying colors, impressing the trainers with his endless energy and drive. Taz and Mark will be partnered in December, and will enjoy a new life with Mark’s wife Nickie, their four children, and their three other Labs.

“I’ve always had a great interest in animals, so when the opportunity to start a canine program through our fire department presented itself, I thought that it would be the perfect fit—I would be able to combine my passions: working on the Fire Department, serving as a USAR [Urban Search and Rescue] Task Force member, and working with dogs. It wasn’t really a decision, I just remember immediately thinking: ‘Count me in!’”

special operations training lt. Brent Koeninger & Huck Grateful to be part of the program

Not much is known about Huck before he was donated by the Oakland (CA) East Bay SPCA in December of 2007. When he was picked up from the shelter, he went straight to Sundowners Kennels and was given a new leash on life. Huck was paired with Oklahoma City firefighter and FEMA Canine Coordinator Brent Koeninger. He joins the Koeninger family, which includes Brent’s wife Jennifer, two eight year-old children, and the family’s three dogs.

o K l a

First day on rubble: Pluis, Debra, Dane, Jason, Brent, Chet, Kate

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s p o n s o r s a n d G u a r d i a n s

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry: “The work of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation plays a critical part in the rescue and recovery from catastrophic events. Oklahomans who remember the devastation of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing know the vital role of search dogs. That is why it is tremendous that SDF is supplying 11 search dog disaster teams to the Oklahoma City and Tulsa fire departments, a contribution that adds considerably to the safety of Oklahomans.”

Wilma Melville: “The deployment to the Oklahoma bombing changed my life, and gave me the inspiration to build an organization which could strengthen America’s disaster response network. The citizens of Oklahoma should be able to expect the very best from their emergency responders when disaster strikes, and SDF is honored to bring this additional resource to the State. When disaster strikes, your new teams will be there, ready to save lives.”

“My interest in disaster response work dates back to 1995, the bombing of the Federal Building. I became a firefighter in 1996, and was interested in disaster training when I found out about the possibility of working with canines. I signed up as soon as the opportunity arose, and I am really grateful to be part of this program and thankful to the Search Dog Foundation for all they’ve done for the country.”

lt. Jason smith & JaggerGetting ready to respond

SDF Volunteer Laura Rathe found Jagger at Haven Humane Society in Redding (CA) in December of 2007. He had arrived the week before as a severely malnourished stray. Despite his health problems, Jagger had extremely high energy and ball-drive. Eventually their care and concern paid off and Jagger was successfully nursed back to health. Now a strong and healthy dog, Jagger is paired with Jason Smith. He’ll be a welcome male companion for Jason, who lives with his wife Corine, their three daughters, and a female Shih Tzu, Susie Q.

“I’ve always liked dogs, and have wanted to be a Search Dog handler since 1995. I’m really excited to be doing this! I am extremely happy to be matched with Jagger. He’s a great dog. A year from now I hope Jagger and I will be Certified, and able to respond to tornadoes or other natural disasters in Oklahoma.”

lt. dane yaw & salsa Failure is not an option

“Unity” was raised to be a Guide Dog but had too much energy and spunk for that line of work. In February 2008, after seeing this lively dog in action, SDF volunteer Kellee Matthews called SDF and arranged for a test. Not long after she began her formal training, Unity became “Salsa” after SDF Lead Trainer Pluis Davern noticed that she “Salsa danced” while searching on rubble. Salsa was paired with Dane Yaw, and will join Dane’s family, including his wife Sabrina, two daughters, and family dogs Lucky and Spitzy.

“When we first started training and gave Salsa a command, he would look over at [Lead Trainer] Pluis to see if he really had to obey. A veteran handler told us he realized his dog was finally his when Pluis commanded the dog to come, and the dog looked over at him first before obeying. It was so gratifying the first time Salsa looked to me for confirmation. The bombing in Oklahoma is what really sparked our interest in working with Pluis. This will be the first time there will be canines at our Fire Station. We finally crossed the barrier to bring Search Dogs into our department, so for us failure is not an option.”

H o m a !

Oklahoma City Press Conference: Kneeling in Front Row-Brent Koeninger & Huck, Jason Smith & Jagger, Dane Yaw & Salsa Back Row-Wilma Melville, Pluis Davern, Chief Keith Bryant, Mark Edwards, Chet Clark & Elvis, Chief Cecil Clayand Debra Tosch.

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SDF is grateful to the following agencies that helped make IronDog 2008 a reality:Los Angeles County Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) – Communications Ventura County Fire Department – Ventura County Regional Training Center search site and equipmentVentura County Sheriff’s Department – Helicopter and pilotsEssex Property Trust, Inc. – Wagon Wheel Motel search siteOxnard Village Investments – Wagon Wheel Motel search siteVentura City Corps – Search “victims”California Conservation Corps – Search “victims”Ventura County Fire Cadets – Search “victims”United States Naval Base, Port Hueneme – Destroyer Search siteSt. John’s Seminary – Search siteU.S. Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor – Boat transport

advanced search team trainingOn November 8th, 16 Canine Disaster Search Teams participated in IronDog 2008, a one-day intensive training event held in Ventura County, CA. This annual training exercise, hosted by the Search Dog Foundation, gives SDF and non-SDF handlers the opportunity to practice the skills needed during actual deployments. With attendance limited to 16 teams, participants were selected based on their level of commitment to training and advancement.

the participants:

Search Dog Foundation Teams:Jason Geary & Marsi – City of Cohoes FireGreg Gould & Kura – NY State Office of Fire Prevention and ControlEric Hanzelka & Ellie – Carmel Valley FireJeff Ivy & Jakers – Sacramento City FireBill Monahan & Hunter – L.A. County FireBill Simmes & Bonnie – NY State Office of Fire Prevention and ControlJohn Stewart & Lani – Saratoga Springs FireJohnny Subia & Lola – Seaside FireJason Vasquez & Maverick – L.A. County FireMichele Vaughn & Comet – Salinas Fire

Non-SDF Teams:Chris Burr & Ruby – Nevada Task Force 1Carol Carlucci & Sonny – Calif. Task Force 6Bryan Morgan & Black Jack – Nevada Task Force 1John Red & Baylee – Nevada Task Force 1Jason Ritz & Jack – Nevada Task Force 1Peter Sellas & Blue – Calif. Task Force 6

search team managers:

Scott Graham – L.A. County FireBill Monahan – L.A. County FireTony Santulli – NY Task Force 1Dave Stoddard – Sacramento Metro Fire

support team:

Ron Weckbacher – Incident CommanderChet Clark – Oklahoma City FireKevin Fildes – Santa Paula FireMatt Garrett – Ventura County FireEric Gray – Santa Barbara County FireRon Horetski – L.A. County FireMike Jarratt – L.A. County FireArt Jiminez – L.A. County FireBrent Koeninger – Oklahoma City FireCarla Cocca – Site SupportHoward Orr – Santa Barbara County FireGary Smith – Ventura County FireJason Smith – Oklahoma City FireLinda Tacconelli – L.A. City Task Force 1Deresa Teller – L.A. City FireDane Yaw – Oklahoma City FireScott Zins – L.A. City Fire

Jason Vasquez & Maverick

In “the tube”

Hunter in decontamination practice

U.S. Navy Destroyer

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St. John’s Seminary The objective at this site was to search and clear multiple large buildings. Building searches are very tough for canines because of the challenging scent conditions. It’s also very difficult to find structures available for training. At St. John’s, the dogs climbed a ladder to enter the second story of a building, navigating long hallways and searching the rooms on each side as the handlers directed the search from the end of the hallway.

Wagon Wheel Motel The Wagon Wheel offered another large-area search, this time in pitch dark through a dilapidated motel. The teams also searched a nearby vacant warehouse which required a specialized type of training: “detailed exterior search,” which is very challenging for the dogs and handlers.

the search scenarios: Ventura Co. Regional Training Center Camarillo Airport Handlers sent their dogs out to find “victims” hidden in various locations on this large site to test how well the dogs could work independently from their handlers. The dogs went through confined, dark tunnels—handlers crawled through to a certain point and their dogs continued on without them. They practiced on a four-story training tower, climbing stairs and over wooden pallets to reach an upper floor. From there the dogs were lowered on harnesses onto a collapsed floor of the building. They also practiced “decon” (decontaminating the dogs), which takes place after each search during a deployment.

Helicopter TransportAfter a safety briefing, the handlers “hot-loaded” the dogs onto a running helicopter, took off for a 10-minute ride, then practiced lowering the dogs using a harness. The helicopter was flown with the doors open as they might be during an actual deployment. The exercise gave handlers a chance to see their dog’s reaction to the sensation of flying and to confinement in a small space with other canines.

Naval Destroyer at the U.S. Naval Base at Port Hueneme We are very grateful to the Naval Base at Port Hueneme for allowing our teams to practice searching on a six-story ship docked in Channel Islands Harbor. The Coast Guard transported the teams to the ship by a Coast Guard vessel. The dogs were raised onto the ship with a rope system, then searched the rooms on three floors, negotiating steep ladders between each level. The challenge for Search Team Managers was to develop a strong search strategy to keep track of the areas covered and those still needing to be searched.

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Carol Carlucci & Sonny, California Task Force 6:“I want to thank the Search Dog Foundation for IronDog 2008. As always, you all did a first class job. The most important thing is that we all worked great as a team, even though we were paired with teams we had met for the first time. It reinforced the need to trust your dog and teammates.

My dog doesn’t like motion, and the Helicopter/Boat back-to-back schedule was great practice. The more he has to put up with motion, the easier it is for him. I can see that he does better when he has something to brace against. He had flown in a helicopter before, but did much better this time. These things take practice!

Harnessing the dogs and the steep stairs in the Destroyer were challenges not normally encountered by our Task Force dogs. It was great to learn how the dogs handled the situation, when the handlers need to give support, and when they need to stay out of the dogs’ way.

Some handlers think you don’t need to work a search dog on lead. I had to do it in the Katrina deployment, and the pallet room in the tower gave us a great chance to practice this. My dog would have been happy to keep searching right out the window to certain injury—reinforcing how important this kind of practice can be. Many thanks to the Foundation for setting this up.”

Ron Weckbacher, IronDog 2008 Incident Commander:“Thanks to the dedication and commitment of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, dogs across the country will be better trained and better prepared to handle whatever is thrown at them during disasters.”

Ellie searching van

Jason Geary & Marsi

Central Coast team boarding chopper

Lani harnessed boarding ship

Bill Monahan & Hunter

John Stewart & Lani

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l i f e t i m e c a r e f o r c a n i n e sH a n d l e r B e n e f i t s

the search team Benefits package

Our firefighter-handlers give enormous amounts of their personal time, talent, and treasure to reach and maintain the skill level needed for di-saster response. They often dig into their own pockets to cover the costs of equipment, canine care supplies, and travel to special training events. We are pleased to announce that in 2009, SDF will be augmenting our support to the teams with a Search Team Benefits Package to include:

1. Handlers’ Fund2. Donated Supplies and Equipment3. Canine Care •NutroFoodVouchers

•AcuteMedicalCare

•CanineHealthInsurance

•PreventiveHealthcareProductssuchas:Advantage®,

Heartgard®, IronDog Joint Supplements® and Metacam®.

Handlers’ fund Grants

The Handlers’ Fund was established in 2008 with a generous gift from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and provides grants from $100 to $2,000 to cover expenses related to training. We applaud the work of these ex-emplary teams who received the first six Handlers’ Fund grants:

• DaleBrown&Dude(AlhambraFire)-“Rock-N-Rescue” K-9 Harness• JasonCornell&Zoey(SacramentoMetroFire)-Deployment training in Denver with Colorado Task Force 1•JohnnySubia&Lola(SeasideFire)-DeploymenttraininginDenver with Colorado Task Force 1•MicheleVaughn&Comet(SalinasFire)-DeploymenttraininginLas Vegas with Nevada Task Force 1•MarcValentine&Val,LukeandBetty(L.A.CountyFire)-“Rock- N-Rescue” K-9 Harness, and GPS.

Michele Vaughn on her Nevada training: “Our first day included several multiple victim searches with ‘victims’ from Nevada Task Force 1 on many large, diverse rubble piles. Later we participated in several single victim searches. I would highly recommend to all SDF handlers to participate in training at this site. The rubble area is so big you can’t see the entire site from one location. It was also a good op-portunity to work Comet in a hot, dry environment. We gained a lot from the experience.”

Johnny Subia on his Colo-rado training: “My goal was to expose Lola to a new search location with deep victim burials, defused scent, multiple victims, and wider area searches. Taking this course is recommended by my Task Force to prepare for deployment. There was end-less rubble for the dogs to search. It’s not often we get to work our dogs for extended periods of time, and it really advanced our training.”

Our thanks to the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the Thelma

B. and Thomas P. Hart Foundation and the Dardin Fund for

helping to underwrite handler benefits, and to Mars Petcare /

Nutro Products, HealthyPets, Inc., and Boehringer Ingelheim

Vetmedica, Inc. for donating top quality products.

Bill Monahan & Hunter (L.A. County Fire)

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s p o n s o r s a n d G u a r d i a n sw e l l - e a r n e d r e t i r e m e n t

On October 30, 1997, seven tiny, furry pup-pies were born to Wilma Melville’s Black Lab, Murphy, our founding Search Dog, who was deployed with Wilma to the Oklahoma City Bombing. All the pups were named after Presi-dents, and all were boys, except the first: Abi-gail Adams (“Abby”).

Sired by master hunting dog Abe, every one of the puppies had real search dog po-tential, but once in training, Abby and her brother Jefferson emerged as the stars, pos-sessing the bold-ness, agility and drive needed for disaster search.

In 1998 Abby was teamed with Debra Tosch, a rookie handler whose devotion to and love for this extraordinary canine turned Abby into one of the most highly skilled search dogs in the United States. Over ten years of training, Abby attended 1,000 training exercises, negotiated 46 acres of rubble, and searched for 3,000 “vic-tims.” A gorgeous, sleek animal with incredible grace, speed and intelligence, Abby won many hearts, and was a tribute to her lineage.

The Canine First Lady of the Search Dog Foundation

Abby

Over ten years

of training, Abby

attended 1,000

training exercises,

negotiated 46

acres of rubble,

and searched for

3,000 “victims.”

On September 11, 2001, the skills Abby had mastered were put to the ultimate test when she and Debra were sent to search for survivors in mountains of twisted, smoldering rubble—the remains of the Twin Towers. The job was dan-gerous and exhausting, requiring tremendous physical strength and psychological endurance. Putting all emotions aside, Debra focused on her search responsibilities and keeping Abby safe.

During their ten years together, Debra and Abby went on six more deployments, including the deadly La Conchita mudslide and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In 2005, Wilma decided to “pass the leash” as Executive Director of the Search Dog Foundation, and the reins fell natu-rally to Debra, her protégé, who now faced a difficult decision. As Executive Director, Debra would not have enough time to train with Abby and maintain deployment readiness.

But this didn’t mean Abby was ready to retire. Enter Ron Weckbacher, an SDF handler who, together with his own search dogs Dawson and

Manny, had been training and searching with Abby for years. With Manny getting ready to retire, Ron agreed to become Abby’s new part-ner. On September 12, 2008, Ron and Abby were first on the scene at the deadly Chats-worth train crash. The team searched all four Metrolink cars including areas where, had she lost her footing, Abby would have dropped eight feet below into the wreckage.

Ron: “As always, Abby was enthusiastic, ath-letic and agile, but I could tell she was stretched to her limits picking over the rubble. I knew it was time for Abby to hang up her search vest and retire with dignity.”

On October 30, 2008—eleven years to the day after Wilma delivered her to Murphy—Abby searched her last rubble pile. Fittingly, the last “victim” she found was Debra—ending ten years of awe-inspiring dedication and service. Abby now lives the good life as a retired search dog, splitting her time between Ron and Debra, and acting as the official greeter at the Search Dog Foundation, under the portrait of her Mom, Murphy, who started it all.

Debra: “Abby has taught me patience, perse-verance, and the meaning of long-term commit-ment. She’s given me the courage to face severe challenges, while maintaining focus. Though we’re both fiercely independent, we’ve learned what it means to be able to really count on each other. She has been there for me in times of cri-sis. We’re both committed to forever being part of the search.”

Debra and Ron with Abby

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l i f e t i m e c a r e f o r c a n i n e st H e n a t i o n a l t r a i n i n G c e n t e r

future Home of the search dog foundation

A Gift to the Community, State and Nation

Since 1996, SDF’s Search Teams, staff, volunteers and supporters have shown what a dedicated group of people can do to strengthen disaster response. The National Training Center project will once again call upon this “can-do” spirit, mobilizing the resources, talents and energy of the SDF family to bring this gift to the country.

The time has come to build a permanent home for the teams who risk their own lives to make sure no one is left behind when disaster strikes. The National Training Center (NTC) will be a place where rescued dogs can become rescuers and where first-responders from across the country will receive advanced training found nowhere else in the U.S. It will enable SDF to raise the bar for disaster response in our nation, ensuring that America has the Search Teams it requires, and deserves.

What will the NTC offer?

The NTC will make it possible for SDF to consolidate its programs, bringing recruitment, training and administration to one location. The site map on the facing page shows how the 125 acres will be used: 1. TENT CITY: Handlers will stay in tents that simulate the housing for first responders during actual disasters.

2. MULTI-PURPOSE ARENA: A public area will be available for Search Team demonstrations and events.

3. COMMONS: Central indoor meeting and classroom area for conferences and seminars.

4. RAINBOW BRIDGE: A walkway and memorial area to honor the memory of our beloved canines and handlers who have passed on.

5. CANINE HOUSING: The NTC will provide housing and care for up to 50 dogs in energy-efficient, quality kennels, vet services and classrooms.

6. TRAINING YARDS: There is abundant space for exercise yards where canines and their new handlers will receive top training.

7. ADVANCED TRAINING AREAS: Piles of broken concrete or building debris are essential to training, but are temporary and increasingly hard to come by. The NTC will offer permanent search sites that simulate scenarios encountered during deployments: deep victim searches, collapsed structures, mudslides, and large-area searches. These sites will be available to all Federal, State and Regional Task Forces for certification testing.

8. SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING AREAS: The canyons surrounding the property will be used for wilderness searching and additional advanced training scenarios.

What is the projected cost and timing?

The total cost of the project is estimated at $16.6 million. A gift of $1.6 million from the Frank McGrath Jr. family enabled us to purchase the property. This leaves an estimated $15 million to raise in stages in cash and pledges.

• $5.5mmbyDecember2009for“Core”construction(TrainingProps, Canine Housing, Classrooms, Tent City, Multi-Purpose Arena, Infrastructure)

• $3mmbyDecember2010for“Core-Plus”construction(Renovationof existing houses, Rainbow Bridge, Commons, Amphitheater, Infrastructure)

• $3.1mmbyDecember2011topaydownthenotefortheland

• $3.4mmbyDecember2011foranEndowmenttocoverfuturemaintenance and depreciation.

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s p o n s o r s a n d G u a r d i a n ss d f ’ s f u t u r e H o m e

t H e q u e s t f o r c a n i n e s

Karen’s doggie diaryBy Karen Klingberg, SDF Canine Manager

Karen and her intrepid Bark Force posse travel far and wide in search of candidates for our program. Here’s an example of a few days on the road with Karen...

While searching animal rescue sites on the internet last July, I came across a Black Lab named Bodhi posted on the Thumping Tails Animal Rescue site. The Lab fit our age and breed require-ments, and he seemed to have all the characteristics we seek: excess drive, focus, and athleti-cism. Oliver, Bodhi’s foster par-ent, offered to bring him to SDF to be evaluated. The dog looked like a great candidate, so we hit the road that day to our training facility in Gilroy, on the Central Coast and five hours north, ar-riving just in time to drop him off for his first overnight as a search dog in training.

The next morning I headed out to Grass Valley to the Nevada County Animal Control Shelter. There I tested a Yellow Lab Mix named Sugar—a very energetic and playful nine-month-old Border Collie mix, but easily distracted and so not a candidate.

My next stop was in Graeagle (near the Nevada border) to look at a dog that Bark Force member Penny Woodruff had located and evaluated. She was a wonderful nine-month-old female Yellow Lab named Cookie, ad-vertised on Craigslist as “Free to a good home.” The woman that owned

the dog had many people wanting her dog, but she called them all and told them that Cookie was being evaluated for Search and Rescue. Within the first few moments Penny knew this girl was a candidate. Penny took her home and worked on Cookie’s social skills by taking her everywhere with her—to grocery stores, classes, everywhere Penny could think of to expose her to people. By the time I arrived, Cookie was a well-rounded, social girl with incredible drive—she was awesome.

Then Penny and I were off to nearby Portola to High Sierra Animal Res-cue where Penny had spotted another possible candidate for our program, Martini, a Border Collie Mix who had been pre-evaluated by Penny. An-other awesome dog! Martini was just as driven and energetic as Cookie, and we gladly welcomed another great candidate.

The next morning, I loaded Martini and Cookie into the van and headed toward the coast to San Francisco to meet a Chocolate Lab named Burton at Presidio Park. He was very playful at first, but his excitement level started to wane after just a few minutes. I always feel so bad telling someone their dog is wonderful, but just not quite what we need. I let her owner know I would put the word out about him, and help her find him a good home.

Then I was on the road again headed back to Gilroy to test Bodhi, Martini and Rossi (Cookie’s new name). Tuesday morning we headed straight to Sundowners to do final evaluations on Bodhi, Martini and Rossi. Victory! They all made the grade!

Just as we were getting ready to leave, I got a call from Bark Force mem-ber Julia Ford advising me that she had another possible candidate in nearby Salinas, a great little female Black Lab named JJ. Another winner! So instead of heading home as planned, back to Gilroy we went. We were totally impressed with JJ’s performance and added her to our group of new recruits.

Finally, it was time to head home. My daughter and I pulled into our driveway at about 8:00 that evening, both “dog tired,” but really excited about our four excellent new canine candidates!

Huckleberry Hound

In December of 2007, the East Bay SPCA called Julia Ford, a woman who rescues dogs and trains them for drug and explosives detection. They thought she might be interested in an unruly Chocolate Labrador named Huckleberry Hound. Although she liked what she saw, he was too posses-sive of his toys to make it in that line of work.

Julia knew that if she didn’t take him, the chances of a dog like this mak-ing it out of the shelter were slim. So she gave SDF a call. Toy possessive-ness is acceptable behavior for search dogs, trained to search for “victims” who possess the toy they crave. SDF Handler Al Duncan tested the dog, who passed with flying colors.

Soon Huckleberry was in training at Sundowners, his name shortened to “Huck,” and his new career on track. But the staff started to think they were going crazy, as Huck kept turning up in other kennel runs, not the one they’d placed him in. Lo and behold, they discovered that Huck can open gates, undo latches and climb fences. But he doesn’t go anywhere—he just visits other dogs and then goes back to his own kennel – or a neighboring run – before he’s caught! We are delighted to report that in November of 2008, Huck was partnered with Brent Koeninger (Oklahoma City Fire).

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Martini

s d f ’ s B a r K f o r c e

Bark force trainings

SDF searches high and low at shelters and breed rescue groups throughout California for canines who possess the incredible drive, agility and focus needed in a disaster search dog. Finding dogs with “just the right stuff” is like finding a needle in a haystack. That’s why we’re always on the look-out for Bark Force volunteers to help us visit shelters and test potential candidates.

This fall SDF held four Bark Force trainings, in Riverside, Yuba City, Santa Rosa, and San Francisco. In all, 87 curious dog-lovers attended the sessions, saw first-hand what being a Bark Force member is all about, and learned how we identify and evaluate our canine candidates. Thanks to these events, we are welcoming 51 new Bark Force volunteers into our ranks. The following is an email sent to us from Glynnis Jones, a new member of the Northern California Bark Force posse:

Dear Karen and Denise:

Thank you so much for the great training session this afternoon in Santa Rosa...it was truly awesome! The professionalism of the SDF staff, the fabulous volunteers, and the dynamite dogs are such an inspiring combi-nation! It’s so wonderful to see people so excited about the mission and the goals of the Search Dog Foundation–it’s not like any organization I’ve ever been associated with before. Thank you all for letting me contribute my small share to this effort. It was a total eye-opener, and gave me such a great appreciation of what it really might take for a dog to have “the right stuff.”

Seeing Brewster and Pearl in action gave me a whole new benchmark for “high-energy.” It’s impossible to understand this unless you meet these dogs. To me, that’s the really critical component. Without the training session, I think we’d naturally set the bar too low. When I came home to-night, after my terriers finished sniffing the heck out of me, I had a whole new appreciation for where they really fit on the bell curve of “drive.”

I think we’re building a good core group here in Mendocino County, and I’m looking forward to bringing in great candidates for SDF. My new fel-low Bark Force volunteers and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that any dogs that might have a chance at SDF’s brass ring will be given their fair shake. I’m so thankful that these talented folks have jumped on board, and I hope to do everything I can to make our common goals a reality! Thanks again for letting us be part of the Bark Force!

Bark force report: elvisFrom Neighborhood Rascal to Search Dogin the MakingBy SDF Bark Force Volunteer Heidi Miller - Los Olivos, CA

As volunteers with Fetching Companions Labrador Retrievers Rescue, my husband and I have fostered or helped find families for about 200 dogs over the past ten years. What started out as a search for a pet Lab con-tinues to be an incredibly rewarding experience. Unfortunately, we’re not able to save as many dogs as we’d like due to lack of foster space. The sad fact is there are many amazing animals in our local shelters that will never make it out alive.

It’s mind-boggling how many wonderful animals end up in shelters - for all kinds of reasons. My all-time favorite was when a family turned in a four-year-old Lab that was “too old.” We kept that dog and he is sleeping next to me as I write this. He is now nine, much loved, and will never have to worry about who will care for him, ever again.

For many years it’s been our goal to find the one special dog who could become an SDF search dog. My dream came true in April of this year when I found Elvis. This two-year-old Chocolate Lab had been turned in to a shelter by his own-ers when a neighbor threatened to harm him. Elvis is a very friendly boy and would get out of his yard during the day and tour the neigh-borhood looking for a

playmate. His misdeeds landed him in the Santa Maria shelter, where the staff noticed his high-energy and intense need for attention and exercise. They called me and I then called Karen at SDF. I tested Elvis alongside Sonja Donaldson, an SDF Bark Force member. We both agreed that we saw search dog potential in him.

Having completed his training at Sundowners, Elvis is now partnered with Chet Clark (Oklahoma City Fire).

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Heidi & Elvis with SDF Business Administration Manager, Sharon Cromartie

Dave Ramsey & Sandi demonstrate “how it’s done” for San Francisco’s newest Bark Force members

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l i f e t i m e c a r e f o r c a n i n e s

tucker: from search dog candidate to fun-loving petBy SDF Lifetime Care Mom Marilee Lin, on behalf of John, Kai and Noa – Ojai, CA

One day last spring, our 11-year-old son Kai came home from school more animated than usual. His friend Kyle Breeding and Kyle’s mom, SDF Volunteer Karen Faye, had visited San Antonio School to tell about the work of the Search Dog Foundation. Kai decided then and there that our family had to get involved with this organization that was not only “cool,” but located, amazingly, right here in Ojai. He suggested we sign up as volunteers. “Why not?” I thought to myself. Might they need help to lick and stick envelopes? Walk dogs? Answer phones? I certainly didn’t anticipate how that day would change our lives.

At the office we met Karen Klingberg, who immediately saw us for who we are: dog-lovers who would say YES to any dog job that needed doing. When we met “Chubby Tucker” a few days later, we could tell he was our kind of dog. Once we were approved as a “Prep Home,”

ruby’s ragsBy Karen Klingberg, SDF Canine Manager

Ruby, a young female Black Lab, has a strange appetite. She prefers the softer things in life…like socks, rags, and stuffed ani-mals. When Ruby started having stomach troubles, her owners took her to their vet, Dr. Novy of the Valley Vet Animal Clinic, who said the dog needed immediate surgery to save her life. Unable to afford this, the family relinquished ownership of Ruby to the clinic. The doctor performed surgery, pulling a kitchen towel out of her stomach just in time.

One of the clinic employees observed Ruby’s intense interest in toys and alerted SDF Bark Force member Caroline Squires, who asked me to test her. Unfortunately, the playful behavior she exhibited was just that, play-fulness, not drive. With no Lifetime Care home immediately available, I took Ruby home to join my own menagerie of seven dogs.

A wonderful family in Northridge (near L.A.) became interested in Ruby.Within minutes of introducing Ruby to the Balbin family, she was running up the ramp to the children’s playhouse and sliding down their slide. She was having a blast and making everyone laugh.

When the day came for Ruby to move in with her new family, I let Ruby out of the van, and noticed she had something in her mouth. A stuffed animal! I calmly called her to me but, like a child with a forbidden piece of candy, she swallowed it whole! Off to the vet we flew, where x-rays revealed a very full stomach. When the surgery was complete, Dr. Fryer of the Oakview Animal Clinic shared some interesting news: not only did he retrieve the stuffed animal, but a sock and a beanie baby as well. Her appetite was back.

Ruby’s new family is dedicated to giving her a happy, healthy life. They’ll be bringing her home soon, and have already lined up an animal behavior-ist to help Ruby curb her appetite.

palmer family Gives “mr. Brock”the Home of His dreamsBy Karen Klingberg, SDF Canine Manager

In July 2008, Bark Force member Laura Rathe was checking Northern California shelters for search dog candidates. At the Haven Humane So-ciety in Redding, she found a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog mix named Brock, and brought him to Gilroy for training. But when he started formal training and began to enjoy daily doses of exercise and play, his toy-drive began to wane, and it was decided that Brock would prefer being a family dog to serving as a working search canine.

Brock went to Broken Arrow, a kennel where SDF dogs go for interim training, to improve his manners while he waited to be placed in a Life-time Care home. Charlie and Lisa Palmer were smitten by his debonair looks. They had moved to Napa Valley from New York a few years ago, telling their four boys that in California they could get a dog. Friend and SDF supporter Sharon Black had directed the Palmers to SDF’s page on the Petfinder website. They flew out to meet Brock, and it was love at first sight.

Arrangements were made to trans-port the dog to the Palmer home the following weekend, and Lisa had spent the week secretly preparing for Brock’s arrival. She bought a beautiful bed, crate and toys. Brock even had his own room with a dresser full of goodies and a lamp to light his way!

On October 12, Brock was greeted by four boys excited to meet their new family member. They brought out a Kong toy and the game was on! Brock chased the toy over and over, each time bringing it back to the boys to throw again. The dog was relentless. Before long, a bond was forged between this tireless dog and his new best friends. Brock spends his days with Lisa running errands and taking the boys to school and football prac-tices. Mr. Brock Palmer, as he is now known, has found the home, and family, of his dreams.

Tucker came home with us for a socialization period before going off to formal training at Sundowners Kennels.

We wanted Tucker to make it through the Search Dog program, but there were signs he might not succeed. Sadly, Tucker did not make the cut—he was just too silly and unfocused to measure up to SDF’s standard of discipline and intensity. Our disappointment was only momentary. We were delighted that we would get to keep this lovable dog as a permanent member of our family.

It was a stroke of luck that we stopped by SDF that fateful spring day. We left not only with a budding admiration of this impressive organization, but also with the living, wagging reminder of its commitment to all of its dogs, whether they go on to lives of search and rescue, or backyard romps and the undemanding affection of their Lifetime Care Families.

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s p o n s o r s a n d G u a r d i a n s

the search dog foundation thanks elizabeth Hewitt and the robert wood Johnson foundationElizabeth Hewitt is SDF’s newest Search Dog Sponsor. In recognition of her generous support, Elizabeth has become the Sponsor of Kura, a beautiful Golden-Lab Mix partnered with Greg Gould of the New York State Office of Fire Protection and Control. Says Elizabeth:

“I first heard about the Search Dog Foundation while at the Sussex Spaniel National in 2007 from Pluis Davern of Sundowners Training Kennels, a fellow Sussex Spaniel enthusiast. When I heard about SDF’s mission to recruit rescued dogs from shelters and breed rescue groups and then train these dogs as search and rescue canines, I was thrilled to be able to help. I am grateful to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the generous matching program they have for employees. I am delighted to be able to support the Search Dog Foundation, and proud and honored to be Kura’s Sponsor.”

new oklahoma Guardian: Henrietta “Hank” Butler Funk

Hank has been one of SDF’s most steadfast supporters. She has made seventy gifts to the Foundation since seeing SDF teams search the wreckage of 9/11. In 2004, she put SDF in her will, becoming one of our first estate donors. This month we celebrate Hank’s commitment, as her state, Oklahoma, receives its first SDF search teams. This is her message to SDF Founder Wilma Melville:

“Wilma, the work that SDF does is from the heart, from wanting to help other people, and reaches me in a most important way. I wanted to be there doing something helpful. And it’s not just 9/11, but the earthquakes and mudslides too. My heart expands, following the work of your teams.

Bringing teams to Oklahoma is a wonderful idea. Oklahoma has all sorts of disasters, especially ‘tornado alley,’ and we need those dogs. This is so close to my heart, I am going to continue to support you. Of all the non-profits, your work reaches me the most. You always say ‘Thank You’ to me. You ask everything of your dogs and they give all that they have. If more people had hearts as big as the dogs it would be a better world.”

my Goldens and my GlacierBy SDF Sponsor and Guardian Doreen Baleria – Danville, CA

Dogs have been a part of my family since I was a child. When I attended graduate school at Wake Forest University I got my first Golden Retriever, who I showed in obedience and to a CDX title. Many years and eleven (!) Golden Retrievers later, I continue to adore and spoil each and every one, and have kept my genetic line going. I currently own my mama Dazzle, son Oski the Bear, and new girl Arrow.

Dazzle has made nursing home patients smile, Arrow brings me the paper each morning, and Oski steals the show as a golden clown who stalks my pool sweep and is constantly living in the pool water. He was a singleton pup - the only one in the litter!

I had been a supporter of SDF for years before I sponsored Glacier and handler Eric Haslam of South San Francisco Fire Department. I eventually became both an Estate Do-nor, and part of the Pet Promise Program, to en-sure the lifelong care of my pets when I’m no longer here. I frequently travel to Montana, and when I heard that Glacier was rescued by the Mt. Flathead County Shelter there, I knew he would be my choice. I visited the shelter and gave a donation. Glacier and Eric joined me to represent SDF at a Cal Football pre-game FunZone event last year. Glacier stole the show. Go Cal Golden Bears and go SDF!

a search dog “icon”By Search Dog Sponsor Ann DeMartini – Somis, CA

When my family learned about SDF, we were intrigued by the concept of rescuing dogs to create rescue dogs. For my daughter’s birthday, she requested donations to SDF in lieu of gifts. My hus-band Paul and I thought it would be interesting and challenging to take an active role and become a Prep Home family.

We were so excited when we found we were to be the new “parents” of Icon, a dog donated to SDF by Shannon Bradford in Rochester, NY. Our job was to take care of Icon until he was ready to head off to formal training. Shannon pro-vided a scrap book about her beloved Yellow Lab (who has an official fan club in Rochester), and stayed in touch with us.

Icon was with us for six months. During that time we had him search for our kids hiding within our four acres of avocados, and practice in different environments. Icon loves water — his nickname was “Fish.” After balking at first, he thoroughly enjoyed sliding down our 60-foot water slide.

Knowing that Icon was destined to be a Search Dog made it easier to send him to his formal training course when the time came. Even so, tears were shed. After this, we made the decision to make a gift of $10,000 to SDF and become Icon’s Sponsor. We were so pleased when Icon was partnered with Captain Steve Swaney (El Cajon Fire), who keeps us up-to-date with Icon’s progress and deployments.

Elizabeth and Will Hewitt, with Mousse, Twiglet & Pickle

Dazzle, Oski, and Arrow

The DeMartini family with Steve Swaney & Icon

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c o m m u n i t y s u p p o r t

letters from friends

To the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. A friend of mine and I, when we were younger, wanted to raise money for search dogs, so we made yarn balls and sold those and had a little lemonade stand with brownies and the like. In the end we raised $50, and I’ve kept the $50, waiting to find a good cause. Well, one day I saw your ad in a magazine and decided that this was the cause my money was meant for. Here’s to the Dogs!

Amber Ocasio & Amy Waters - Mechanicsville, VA

Dear Sir or Madam,This summer my friends and I came across an ad for the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. We decided that it was a very good cause and that we should raise money for it. We thought it would be fun to do a play about it. We practiced our play and dances for 3 weeks. The people we invited made donations. We also made money by having a food stand. We had over 30 people attend our production with a turn out of $50.

Sincerely, Megan Kobe - Kilworthy, Ontario, Canada

court reporters Honor the memory of a Beloved colleagueBy SDF Volunteer Jan Lopez – West Hills, CA

As if guided from above, the community service project honoring the memory of Atlanta court reporter Julie Brandau is on the move and gain-ing momentum once again.

After being gifted with vendor booths by the National Court Reporters Association and the California Court Reporters Association at their annu-al conventions this year in Anaheim, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada, America’s court reporters have attained sponsorship of a third canine-handler team and are well on the way to a fourth!

At both of the exhibitions, court reporters were warmly greeted by SDF handlers and their canine partners, transforming a normally business-like atmosphere to lots of tail wagging and wet kisses – from the dogs, that is.

Julie’s passion for dogs, her devotion to civil service, and her dedication to community will live on through the noble mission of the Search Dog Foundation.

Volunteer appreciation day

With a staff of ten, the Search Dog Foundation leans mightily on local and national volunteers to help service the Search Teams and assist us in every-thing from canine transport to writing and editing to “licking and stick-ing.” On August 26, 2008, SDF hosted twenty-four of our fabulous local volunteers at the National Training Center site in Santa Paula, CA. After a lunch at the beautiful ranch setting, everyone enjoyed two demonstrations: one by our Ventura/Santa Barbara Training Group led by Ron Weckbacher, another by Canine Manager Karen Klingberg who showed how canine can-didates are evaluated in the field. Three cheers for our sterling volunteers, who keep the wheels turning and everyone on track at SDF!

Executive Director Debra Tosch narrates the Search Team Demo for Vol-unteers (l to r): Kellee Matthews, Ellen Paiva, Jo Stalder, Shirley Ramgren, Jackie Thomas, Penni DeFossez, Judy Mize, Pattie Ridenour, Debra Walters, Joanne Cunha, Dale Cromartie

Editor ExtraordinaireJeff C.

WritersDoreen Baleria, Henrietta Butler-Funk, Judy Friedman, Ann DeMartini, Marilee Lin, Jan Lopez, Heidi Miller

PhotographersSusan Claar, Karyn Newbill, Tony Panzica, Sharon Wolfsen

Bringing you the Bark alert!

Once again, the Bark Alert comes to you courtesy of SDF’s volunteers who give theirtalent and time to bring the news to you:

© 2008 National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, all rights reserved. National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, Dog with helmet icon, Bark Alert, Quest, Be Part of the Search, SearchDogsUSA, Good for Your Company, Good for the Country, Dog with Baseball Cap icon, IronDog are all registered trademarks of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. The Bark Alert was printed on recycled paper using soy (not petroleum-based) ink.

Hero, Jerry, Maverick & Ranger at the Court Reporters’ Convention in Anaheim

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f o u n d a t i o n s u p p o r t

annenberg foundation On September 17, 2008, SDF was warmly welcomed by our friends at the Los Angeles offices of the Annenberg Foundation. SDF Board Member Mike McGroarty and Handler Scott Zins reported on the progress of the eight newest Southern California search teams, and thanked the Foundation for their support which enabled us to recruit and train these teams. While there, SDF Executive Director Debra Tosch received a phone call with the good news that our search teams deployed in response to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike had been cleared to return from the Gulf Coast States, and were on their way home to their loved ones.

Our warmest thanks to the Annenberg Foundation for their steadfast support.

Pictured from L to R: Back row: Abigail Phoenix, Blanca Edeza, Julie Vazquez-Johnson, Allison Gister, Mike McGroarty, Alex Soschin, Debra Tosch Front Row: Bridget Kelly, Scott Zins, Search Dog Callie, Ericka Novotny, Irene Chansawang

Bert w. martin foundationIn July, SDF had the opportunity to welcome Andy Warden, V.P. and Treasurer of the Bert W. Martin Foundation, to a search dog training at Sundowners Kennels in Gilroy. His visit coincided with the graduation for our newest California search teams, Ron Weckbacher & Dawson, Ron Horetski & Pearl, Scott Zins & Callie, Linda Tacconelli & Joe, Matt Gar-rett & Gabby. Thank you Andy, for your wonderful support, and for being part of this milestone day!

ludwick family foundation Whether we’re picking up canine recruits from shelters, transporting them to training kennels, or traveling to community events, SDF logs many miles. Thanks to a wonderful gift from The Ludwick Family Foundation, this summer SDF purchased a second minivan to meet our complex transport needs. Our first vehicle was also purchased with Ludwick support. Thank you to all trustees of The Ludwick Family Foundation for keeping us on the road and ready to respond!

New Oklahoma City teams with the Ludwick “fleet”

armin & ethel schaper foundation Our Parents’ Love of Dogs Lives On

In September, SDF received a very generous gift from new friends and sup-porters, Betsy and Doug Schaper, of The Armin & Ethel Schaper Founda-tion. These loving words from Betsy accompanied the siblings’ gift:

“Our family’s dedication to and love of dogs cannot be overstated. We have always enjoyed having a dog—after all, they are the only family member we get to choose! Our current dog, a Westie named Duffy, pro-vided a great source of comfort and joy to our parents during the last years of their lives. Giving back, through our family’s Foundation, in the memory of our parents Armin and Ethel Schaper, is a source of great com-fort for us. Having witnessed so many crises in our country and abroad (9/11, Katrina, the Tsunami, the L.A. train crash), it seems totally logical to support the extraordinary work of SDF and, in the process, save the life of a four-legged friend. After all, these wonderful creatures are dedicated to saving human lives. What could be better than that? It’s such a gratify-ing win-win.”

Thank you, Betsy and Doug. It is a true honor to remember your parents’ love of dogs through our work.

yr BrandsPartners in Promoting SDF’s MissionSince 2001, Young & Rubicam and mediaedge:cia have provided ex-traordinary pro-bono communication services to SDF, keeping our mis-sion of service in the public eye through award-winning TV, radio and magazine ads. It’s an example of very busy people doing great things for their company, and the country, without leaving their desks!

This year YR Brands has done a remarkable job placing the “$10,000 Dog” and “Rookie” ads, at no cost to SDF, in over twenty top nation-al magazines including Congressional Quarterly, Fortune Magazine, Money, People, The Atlantic and USA TODAY.

The Wall Street Journal included the ad, for the third year in a row, in its September 11th edition. In the coming year, Young & Rubicam will be initiating a new creative campaign to further build awareness about SDF and the future National Training Center. Through mediaedge:cia’s Radio Division, SDF will again begin airing 30-second radio spots on stations all across the country.

Boehringer ingelheim Vetmedica, inc.HealthCare Sponsor for SDF CaninesBoehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) provides Metacam® at no cost to SDF canines to help with arthritis pain. Thanks to this generous donation, SDF canines can continue to work and play in comfort even in their “golden years.”

For the fourth year, the company has invited their sponsored SDF Team, Johnny Subia & Lola (Seaside Fire), to participate in two of the largest veterinary trade shows in the country, where the Teams, and the BIVI products they endorse, are highlights for the thou-sands of attendingveterinarians.

We’re honored to be part of the BIVI team as good-will ambassadors of the Metacam® product, the official anti-inflammatory medication of the Search Dog Foundation.

BIVI’s sponsored team,Johnny Subia & Lola, in training

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c o r p o r a t e c a n i n e c l u B

at&t disaster recovery

While SDF works on the human side of disaster recovery searching for the victims trapped in the debris, AT&T focuses on the technical side to quickly restore communications. In 2004, the company recognized a synergy between the disaster response efforts of AT&T and SDF, and since then has provided extraordinary support, including $235,000 in philanthropic gifts.

AT&T and SDF demonstrate the importance of disaster recovery to business communities across the globe through AT&T’s Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) Exercises and Business Continuity Forums. During customer events at the drills/forums, AT&T tests and evaluates its readiness to respond to a network disaster. SDF Search Teams are also on hand to demonstrate the skills they use to search for survivors.

North Carolina demo: Michele Vaughn & Comet (Salinas Fire) and Eric Hanzelka & Ellie (Carmel Valley Fire) with AT&T’s José Gutiérrez, Executive Vice President of AT&T Global Enterprise Service

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c o r p o r a t e c a n i n e c l u B

weber shandwick mediaSDF’s New Partner and Search Dog Sponsor!The Search Dog Foundation is pleased and honored to announce our partnership with the San Francisco offices of a leading global public relations agency: Weber Shandwick. The company is committed to supporting SDF’s mission by providing pro-bono media services to the Foundation, and raising awareness about the National Training Center initiative. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to support the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. Weber Shandwick will help SDF tell its story and communicate its mission of strengthening emergency preparedness in this country and providing a critical, life-saving resource to our nation,” said Robert Dowling, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Weber Shandwick Northern California. “We look forward to seeing SDF grow as an organization dedicated to providing this critical service to those in time of need.”

Very special thanks to Amy and Neil Cohen, SDF Perimeter Group members, who introduced SDF to Weber Shandwick. A wonderful synergy is in the works!

mcKesson Becomes part of the search!New Bark Force member Becky Figueroa enlists corporate supportSince she was little, Becky wanted to bring home every stray “underdog” she found. So when she learned about SDF’s quest for new Bark Force members in her local paper’s pet column, Becky knew this was the perfect volunteer opportunity for her. After attending a Bark Force training in Santa Rosa, Becky shared with her husband John what she had learned about SDF’s work and mission. Wanting to do more to help, John Figueroa, President of the U.S. Pharmaceutical Division of McKesson Corporation, based in San Francisco, facilitated a generous gift from McKesson to support SDF’s core program—helping train and recruit tomorrow’s canine heroes. Becky shared: “Becoming involved with SDF is perfect for us. So many homeless dogs need a place to be, and we’re happy to help however we can.”

We are honored to welcome John and Becky, and the McKesson Corporation, to the SDF family!

Healthypets, inc. launches irondog® Brand“You Buy, We Save Lives®”HealthyPets, Inc., an online pet supply store, and SearchDogsUSA, have partnered together to help strengthen America’s disaster response network by launching a new pet product line: IronDog Brand. Fifty percent of sales of the new brand will be donated to SDF, and the “You Buy, We Save Lives” initiative offers consumers a chance to make their purchasing power count by supporting our Teams.

IronDog Brand Triple Strength Joint Supplements are now available at www.HealthyPets.com and www.SearchDogFoundation.org. The supplements support healthy joints and connective tissues in dogs. They are made of all natural ingredients, manufactured in the USA.

Says HealthyPets, Inc. President, Dr. M. Ghumman: “We first learned of the valiant efforts of the Search Dog Foundation after the 9/11 disaster. Since that time we have supported the Foundation, always impressed by SDF’s readiness to leap into action anywhere help is needed. HealthyPets, Inc. is honored to support the Search Dog Foundation through this partnership. We hope the IronDog Brand will grow strong and help remind people of the heroic efforts, importance and service of this organization.”

mars and nutro ~ food for Heroes“Fueled by Nutro”Mars PetCare, Inc. and Nutro Products believe in making the world a better place for people—and for dogs, too. That’s why, since 2002, Nutro Products has provided free NATURAL CHOICE® Brand vouchers to every Certified Search Team in the United States, includ-ing all SDF teams. This is a tremen-dous savings to our handlers, and a fitting way to honor those who give so much to protect us. We are proud to announce that NATU-RAL CHOICE® Brand is now the official pet food of the Search Dog Foundation.

As part of their special support for the SDF teams, this past summer the companies launched a nationwide Food for Heroes campaign to bringawareness to the Search Teams, through displays in stores and outreach to their customers. They sponsored a contest to choose the NATURALCHOICE® Brand Team. The votes are in…and the winners are: Davis Doty and Jester! The team will represent the brand, letting folks know what Food for Heroes is all about. Nutro also challenged SDF support-ers around the country, matching every gift, dollar for dollar. And the SDF family responded! A total of $84,000 was raised against the match. And the challenge is still on! Originally a Summer/Fall challenge, the of-fer has been extended to the end of the year. Every gift to SDF received before January 2009 will be doubled, thanks to our friends at Mars Pet-Care, Inc. and Nutro Products!

Davis & Jester

Weber Shandwick SponsoredTeam: Tim Robertson & Speaker

At 14 1/2 years young, beautiful Bailey is the Figueroa family’s cherished companion

contact us!We appreciate your feedback on our programs and communications. To get in touch, or for info on any Bark Alert item, please contact SDF Development Manager Suzanne Etschmaier at(888) 459-4376 x103 or suzanne@ndsdf.org.

2008 tax Benefit for sdf donors!As part of the recent financial rescue package, Congress has voted to retroactively extend the IRA charitable rollover provision from Janu-ary 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009. This means that people over age 70 can make tax-free charitable gifts directly from their in-dividual retirement accounts to qualified charities. See your financial consultant for further details.

the Bark alert was brought to you by searchdogsusa100% of the design, printing, postage (and return mail postage) for the Bark Alert was paid for by SearchDogsUSA, the official licens-ing arm of the Search Dog Foundation. SDUSA provides financial support to SDF and brings national awareness to the charity through product endorsements and cause-related marketing agreements. This means that your donations go directly to support the Search Teams and their mission of service to the nation.

B a r K B u l l e t i n s

simplify your support!Automatic deposits make giving easy! Sim-ply call your bank and let them know you would like to make an Automatic Deposit to SDF in your name on a monthly basis. You can also make automatic monthly credit card donations. Contact Suzanne at (888) 459-HERO.

read the “Bark” on-line SDF’s Bark Alert and Quest newsletters are now available at SearchDogFoundation.org. Please let us know if you’d like us to stop sending the publications to you by “snail mail.”

easy Holiday Gift ideasSEARCH DOG DONATION IN LIEU OF A GIFTA handsome Search Dog Card will be sent to a friend or loved one, letting them know a gift has been made in their name.

9/11 SEARCH DOG TRIBUTE BOOKThis beautiful large-format book chronicles the canines that have awed and inspired us.

BLACK FLEECE PULLOVER, RED HOODIES & MORE…Cozy and warm, the perfect gifts for you and yours.

SEARCH DOG NOTECARDSA handsome set of ten assorted cards with your favorite teams and their stories.

To browse our holiday gift ideas, visit www.SearchDogFoundation.org.Order online or call (888) 459-4376.

www.SearchDogFoundation.org206 N Signal Street, Suite R • Ojai, CA 93023