Search and Rescue: Cody's Tail…er, Tale

Doomsday Here – Hold the Mail

These past few years, doesn’t it seem like there’s a new disaster of horrible proportions almost every day? If there’s a good side to it, it’s that disaster seems to have the potential bring out the best in people. People all over the world are well-known for responding generously and open-heartedly to victims of major disasters. It may be easier not to think of your own needs when there are people buried under rubble around you.

4-Wheelers On Paws

At times like these, the need for effective rescue techniques becomes urgent. And when it comes to search and rescue duty in the wake of a catastrophe, no one excels like our best friend the dog. The rubble of collapsed buildings presents a particular challenge to rescuers, because the victims:

· may be unconscious, or unable to cry out

· are hidden

· are inaccessible, in places too small for humans to go

Dogs are well suited for search and rescue in these situations because:

· their senses of hearing and smell are many times better than ours

· they can quickly go where humans can’t in unstable and slippery terrain – they’re like “a 4-wheel drive on paws”

· they can work off-leash, finding victims are trapped in tight spaces

· they are dedicated, with a tireless drive to please

Oklahoma Bombing Reveals Shortage of Search Canines
The Search Dog Foundation (http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/zcom/newsletter/ScrapDetail.do?compid=98&newsid=11) was founded in 1995 by retired schoolteacher, Wilma Melville, after she and her search dog were deployed to the site of the Oklahoma City bombing, and she noticed the severe shortage of Canine Disaster Search Teams.  Seeking to fill this gap in our national disaster response network, Wilma founded the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. The SDF provides training for the dog and matches it up to a trainer/owner. In the case of search dogs, most trainer/owners are firefighters, who are the first on the scene in a disaster. Says Wilma: “It costs the SDF $10,000 to recruit, care for and train each new dog, partner it with a firefighter-handler, provide ongoing training to the team and Lifetime Care for the dog. “  As a non-profit with no government funding, SDF raises funds to underwrite the cost. 

Cody Wasn’t A Problem Pup – He Just Needed A Job

Cody, a rambunctious Golden Retriever puppy, had gone through 7 families by the time he was 18 months old – he just had too much energy! He was also a talented escape artist. He was rescued by the Golden Retriever Rescue Organization of Wisconsin, where his potential to be a great search dog was recognized. Cody was sent for training to the SDF facility in Gilroy, California, where, due to his wildly enthusiastic nature, he had a rocky road until one day he suddenly got it, and he realized he now had the job of his dreams! He became a mentor dog at the training facility, helping rookie dogs during tough training assignments, before graduating and teaming up with with Chula Vista firefighter Linda D’Orsi. Linda says “Cody can't wait to get out of his crate when he arrives at a training site and performs his job joyfully, with determination, focus and endless energy.” Cody and Linda were deployed to New Orleans in 2005 in the wake of Katrina, where they searched for survivors.

Freedom Service Dogs: Amazing Dogs For Deserving Veterans

Another area in which dogs are terrifically talented is as assistance dogs for disabled veterans. If you can, consider donating to Freedom Service Dogs

(http://www.freedomservicedogs.org/).

Hero Dog Awards

· The American Humane Association (http://www.americanhumane.org/ ) has created the Hero Dog Awards (http://www.herodogawards.org/)as a way to “further advance society's understanding of the power of the human-animal bond. Dogs are an invaluable part of our lives; as companion animals, service and therapy animals, animal soldiers, police officers and first responders and emerging heroes. American Humane Association advocates for the American values of caring, compassion and hope.”