My Tribute to Search and Rescue Dogs

Mom made Leo and I sit down and watch SoapTalk today on SoapNet. They did a bit on S&R dogs and mom thought it was really neat. She's quite fascinated with tracking and S&R and has been since she brought me into the family. I think one day she'd like to be more involved in that line of work.

Anyway, today is my auntie's birthday -HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNTIE!- and 5 years ago she cried and was very upset that 9/11 (which was way before my time, but I keep hearing alot about it today) would then forever be remembered for this tragedy, rather than just being her birthday. So, mom has opted not to do any 9/11 things today and celebrate Auntie instead. We did want to remember the S&R dogs, though. So mom and I are doing a joint post on that here.

Here's a breakdown of the SoapTalk bit:

Lisa and Ty welcomed their next guest, Fire Captain Bill Monahan and Hunter the dog, from the Search Dog Foundation.
The charitable organization's mission: they rescue dogs from shelters and turn them into rescue dogs.
Ty asks Bill what a search dog does: in Hunter's case, he's trained to detect live human scent in disasters where the people are out of plain view.
Bill says that the key to a good search dog is high energy and play drive, and explains how they train their dogs.
Ty asks if the dogs are able to search for human scene in disaster areas other than rubble.
Bill says that the dogs can search in any disaster area: wood, floods, or even mud.
Bill then shows off some tricks that Hunter's learned, starting with a balance exercise on a see saw, and climbing up a ladder.

For more information about the Search Dog Foundation, log on to their website at www.searchdogsUSA.org.

The AKC website also has some wonderful features and programs regarding S&R dogs.
Here are only a few of them:
DOGNY: America's Tribute to Search and Rescue Dogs
DOGNY Tribute

Rescue Dogs at 9/11 Anniversary
Rescue Dogs of 9/11 photos

Canine Search and Rescue Tribute