Dogs that have been trained in Ventura County to respond to international disasters have been deployed to the Southern U.S. to aid in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
Eleven canine disaster search teams from all over the country have traveled to the most heavily affected areas to lend a paw.
The teams are comprised of human handlers and search and rescue dogs that were trained and certified by the Search Dog Foundation located in Santa Paula.
“All of these dogs who have now become specialized working canines were trained right here in Ventura County in preparation for this moment—when they can help those that need it most,” the Foundation states on its website.
Search Dog Foundation recruits dogs from across the country that are rescued from abuse or abandonment. Many come from shelters and were surrendered because they have high energy and other characteristics that make them unsuitable as a family pet but ideal candidates for the program.
They are trained by the Foundation to search wreckage and rubble for victims and are awarded to fire departments in other states free of charge. There are currently 94 teams located in nine states and a tenth stationed in Baja California, Mexico.
Last February, several teams were sent to Turkey in the aftermath of devastating earthquake in the Middle East that left thousands dead.
The teams deployed for Hurricane Helene will search for victims of the devastating disaster, which has already claimed the lives of over 200 people in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and the Carolinas.
“We know the many canine teams with boots and paws on the ground in the region devastated by the storm are ready to assist in rescue and recovery efforts and we are proud to be part of that preparation through their training,” Denise Sanders of the Search Dog Foundation told KTLA.
Sanders said the organization that gave the dogs the tools to become a critical part of the rescue efforts will be monitoring their efforts and wishing them well on their missions.
“Our hearts are with everyone affected by this tragedy and with all those who have answered the call to help others in their time of need,” Sanders said.
For more information about the Search Dog Foundation in Ventura County, click here.