Following the deadly 7.9 earthquake in Nepal, six search and rescue dogs and their handlers from Search Dog Foundation are among a group of U.S. disaster recovery specialists looking for survivors. Four of the six dogs are rescues, pulled from shelters where they'd had trouble finding homes.
The dogs (primarily Labs, golden retrievers, border collies, and mixes) are recruited from animal shelters and rescue groups throughout the Western states — some just hours away from being euthanized.
SDF is the only nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to finding and training rescued dogs. They recruit dogs from shelters and rescue groups and provide the dogs with professional training, so they can be matched with first responders when they're sent to find people trapped in the wreckage following disasters.
After the disaster in Nepal, the United States has sent two Task Forces (California Task Force 2 and Virginia Task Force 1) to assist in rescue and recovery efforts in Nepal in response to a request from their government. The California contingent included six Canine-Firefighter Search Teams trained by the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. They boarded military aircraft bound for Kathmandu on April 26 as part of a 57-person rescue force that includes structural engineers, hazmat experts, doctors — and Canine Disaster Search Teams.
"I'm so proud of our teams. Together they will ease the burden of those in Nepal who will see that everything possible is being done to find their loved ones. These teams are ready!" said Wilma Melville, SDF Founder.
Please SHARE this story to send your thoughts and prayers to the people in Nepal.
These are the six handlers and their dogs from SDF who are assisting in recovery efforts in Nepal.
