I have watched this Foundation grow from its inception in 1996 to the present. I have now been a proud volunteer since 2014. Its mission is to strengthen disaster response by rescuing and recruiting dogs and partnering them with firefighters to find people buried alive in disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, etc. Once a dog is rescued from a shelter, it will never go back even if it doesn’t work out in the program. A lifetime care home will be found for each dog that doesn’t make the program. I have one of those lifetime care dogs. I witness the training and love given to each dog rescued and get to watch as each dog is paired with a handler. All these dogs become FEMA trained dogs and are ready in an instant if a disaster happens. These highly trained dogs are vital in searching as they can get into places where humans can’t, and they can alert when they find someone. The Search Dog Foundation follows up on each and every dog that comes to its campus. This Foundation was the vision of one lady, Wilma Melville, who saw the need for search dogs when she went with her own dog to the Oklahoma City bombing. What an accomplishment for her to see what she envisioned come to fruition. This is a very worthwhile and awesome Foundation.
This organization is amazing. They have been there for me as a handler from the moment I set foot on their soil. My partner and I were paired and certified in 2024, and the Search Dog Foundation(SDF) has been with us every step of the way. They are there for questions, training tips and continued visits to their foundation to keep myself and my four-legged partner in the best possible deployment state. They care about us as handlers and our canine partners till the day we pass over the rainbow bridge. I would secretly like to quit my job and come work for them! Truly an honor to wear our SDF vest!
As a former canine search handler with CA-TF2/USA-2, it has been a true honor to work with the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. NDSDF provides highly skilled search dogs to USAR teams across the country, enabling us to search for and rescue victims of natural disasters worldwide. The staff at NDSDF are not only incredibly supportive but also deeply compassionate, ensuring that our canine partners receive the best possible care.
During the 2018 Montecito mudslides, NDSDF opened their facilities to all canine search teams, providing a safe space to decontaminate and rest. This generosity and commitment to the well-being of our teams in challenging times exemplify the spirit of the organization. NDSDF treats us like family, even remembering our birthdays with personal notes signed by the staff. It has been a privilege for Eva and I to be part of such a dedicated, caring, and well-run organization.
I had the incredible opportunity to adopt a dog from SDF. The staff was so welcoming, helpful and genuinely loved all of the dogs. My time training at SDF was amazing and my new avalanche dog is phenomenal. They are truly doing wonderful things for dogs in need and the search and rescue community.
I have the honor to be paired with an SDF search canine! It is amazing what this organization has done and continues to do! They go above and beyond to make great search canines and to train us handlers to be the best we can be! The endless support from them is what lets us be able to do what we do everyday! Thank you SDF, you are the best!
Thank you for supporting K9 Gunny's veterinary care! SDF covered over $10,000 so that Gunny could get radiation therapy. Now we will have a chance at a long happy retirement together!
I can only say how honored I am to have had this wonderful opportunity to become part of the SDF family.
I was fortunate enough to be asked by the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation if I would consider being paired with a German Wirehaired Pointer as a wilderness live find dog.
I humbly accepted and flew out to California from Virginia for two weeks for intensive training and team pairing and development. The SDF further developed my Search and Rescue K9 Handler skills in K9 Fitness, Direction Control, Disaster Response, Veterinary/Emergency Medical Care, and Scene Management.
I was paired with K9 Peat. K9 Peat is a 2 year old German Wirehaired Pointer and the first GWP to enter the SDF search dog training program. He was an owner surrendered pup that was dropped off at a vet clinic in Minnesota due to his high energy and family’s lack of breed knowledge.
In our fortunate case SDF was asked if they would take Peat into their Urban Search Program. Going through the selection process he was a super star.
Over the past year Peat has been working his way from Rescued to Rescuer!
We are happy to finally announce that K9 Peat and I have been officially paired and are now a working team!
We will be continuing his search and rescue work back in Virginia and look forward to our VDEM certification here to come.
I never thought for one moment that I was not welcome nor would I ever have experienced such an amazing training program. In their training center they have the ability to set up “safe” disaster areas that I could only dream to train at. Areas like this are almost impossible to find in the East Coast to train at.
They are more than a Foundation they are now our forever family. They will continue to support K9 Peat and I’s adventures in Search and Rescue and we can’t wait to show them how much we can do!
When first presented with the opportunity to shadow train with task force firefighters at the SDF National Training Center while evaluating two Lifetime Care candidates for Wilderness SAR partners, I was confident that the experience would be worth my investment of resources. Little did I know how valuable it would be!
With a lifetime invested in various animal industries, I’ve experienced numerous levels of commitment and excellence to animal welfare, but the comprehensive facilities and the entire staff at SDF excelled at every level. Their primary concern is the dog’s ultimate, best welfare. From daily enrichment activities (the Training Board is impressive!), to the comprehensive CaniMetrics Program for working dogs development, to the teams’ dedication to meet each dog’s best life path, each staff member labors tirelessly to benefit both dog and future handler/home. The grounds were meticulously kept- a show case rewarding each penny invested to the Center. But it was the dogs’ faces and wagging tails that spoke clearest. A relaxed face and happy tail communicate clearly how much they enjoy what they’re doing! As I shared upon returning home, it was like visiting a Disneyland for dog handlers and dogs!
An unexpected benefit was the connections made with the people. The Task Force firefighters were phenomenal! Each one provided me with enduring respect for the incredible commitment required to certify as an Urban Task Force handler/dog team. They eagerly welcomed me, allowing me to shadow their training courses during the day, learning from their profound knowledge, laughing with them during the down times around the nighttime dinner table, and even treating me to a few local west coast highlights. California firefighters represented well! And how could each SDF staff member make time to ask how my evaluation and training was progressing? Their thoughtfulness of my time commitment was evident and each person was as accommodating as possible to my schedule constraints, making the most of each available moment. Upon arriving home, they continued to reach out with updates and progress reports.
Yet, the ultimate reward was my new wilderness SAR partner, Zena, a previous Lifetime Care program dog that I worked with during my SDF trip. The staff allowed me to hike with her around the trails surrounding the training center, and I was able to evaluate her in a natural setting, assessing her to be the partner that would help me find lost people in wilderness settings. The SDF evaluations of both Zena and the other LC prospective partner were accurate, yet Zena’s have been consistent throughout her acclimation upon arrival, providing me with the ability to progress in training towards her certification. This equates to success for us both- and this provides the possibility for SDF to rescue yet another dog. Success builds to greater successes.
The only way my time and training at the SDF National Training Center could have been improved?
I could have stayed longer!
Thank you! Your investment in both Zena and I were not wasted!
Maureen Deaton
Blue & Gray Search Dogs, LLC
I am quite grateful that my bubba did not become a search dog because we were able to find each other thanks to SDF. His name is Conan and he's silly, sweet, smart, and so happy. He has been an incredible companion and has brought me an exuberant amount of joy. SDF has amazing dogs and wonderful people working there. They helped match me with the right dog for me and continue to answer questions because of their Life Time Care Program. I am fascinated by what SDF does and the remarkable dogs they nuture, not only for aiding in disasters, but aiding those searching for a furry friend. Conan rescued me from the disaster that was my heart!!
SDF gave me a best friend! When I saw the adoption listing for Charlotte, I knew right away she was meant to be my dog. I applied and heard back the same day, and everyone at SDF was lovely to work with. The trainers took plenty of time to work with me and Charlotte, setting us up for success. She is a healthy, happy, loving dog with impressive training from SDF, and that helped her fit in with our family right away. She’s so special to us. She loves going on adventures with us, she’s vigilant about protecting us at home, she’s a constant source of entertainment, and we can’t imagine life without her. It’s reassuring that I can call the trainers at SDF anytime for help and advice—they always have great ideas. I’m so lucky I got Charlotte, and I’ll always be grateful to SDF for making it all possible.
The program at SDF is designed to make both the handler and there K9 partner successful.
It takes a very special group of people to get these highly motivated dogs ready to go out and save those in need.
I may live across the country, but you wouldn't know it. The staff at SDF is alway there to support us.
SDF is a well oiled machine of a non-profit. They take “throw away dogs” from shelters and turn them into elite search and rescue dogs and place them around North America for response to disasters. After training and placing these dogs, SDF continues to support the handlers throughout the life of the dogs with medical bills and equipment support.
Search Dog Foundation is an incredible organization supported by dedicated people. The people genuinely care for the mission and it shows in daily interactions. I have had the unique opportunity to work with the team for the past 5 years and see first hand how they work with the dogs, handlers and public alike. They foster a supportive fun and loving and environment with the founders charter in mind of having a place for rescue dogs and first responders to come together. Great job, mission accomplished, Wilma!
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I have been fortunate to work with the National Search Dog Foundation for the past 5 years, in a professional capacity. The folks at NSDF are some of the most genuine, caring and knowledgeable people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. The level of care and training the team provides is world class. I attended an open house last year and was able to see the dogs and handlers in action. It was amazing to see the dogs interact with their handler to quickly find their target in a variety of disaster scenarios such as the rubble pile and search city. It’s amazing that NSDF recruits their dogs from shelters and rescues, partners them with a handler and then deploys them to a disaster to search and save lives. I’m honored, not only to work with NSDF but to also have made many friends over the years. They provide a much needed service and do an amazing job. Keep up the great work!
“I was overwhelmed by level of excellence provided at the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. Not only is the facility a doggy Disneyland but the staff and volunteers that pour countless hours into each of the dogs is amazing. Every person who works for the foundation selflessly serves with the greatest attention to detail. All the dogs are cared for to the highest level. The fitness, dietary, training and loving care each dog receives is apparent in the canines happy and hardworking spirit. This organization does so much with so little and they are the true HEROS that the firefighters and rescue workers look up to. “
We had the incredible fortune to work with National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, to adopt our beloved dog Shenzi. Not only has she brought tremendous joy to our family, but meeting the team at Search Dog Foundation has been an additional bonus. We have since returned for additional training, and the staff have gone above and beyond, spending time with us, and teaching our 9 year old additional techniques. We are forever fans!
We learned of SDF’s wonderful work in 2009 during a fundraising campaign featuring rescued dogs partnered with first-responders and disaster search teams. The concept of training rescued dogs to become highly-skilled rescuers themselves – just made sense to us and worthy of charitable giving and support.
SDF’s Lifetime Care Program provides an honorable promise: rescued dogs who for whatever reason are unable to complete SDF’s arduous training program –will be found a suitable, loving, and lifetime home. SDF’s Lifetime Care Coordinator, Krista Eulberg, and Jenn Mueller, SDF trainer, ensured a smooth transition for Duke as he became part of our family in early 2021. SDF’s on-going support and commitment makes this Lifetime Care Program a true success and now brings a special joy to our lives through Duke.
We can't say enough goods things about SDF and the team of wonderful people who are dedicated to such an important mission. Thank the universe for my sister who connected us with the amazing Krista Eulberg who got us Piper, the brightest light. Although Piper didn't graduate the program. She graduated into our lives filling it with fun filled days of playing ball, beach swims, hikes in the outdoors and even some big city living. Not to mention unconditional love and loyalty that words can't explain. The entire adoption process is so well designed, professional and thoughtful. The support we received from the SDF team, specifically Jenn Mueller who helped guide us through some ups and downs during Piper's adjustment period as she was transitioning into her new life and Fur-ever home. They took the time to listen to our needs and they care so much about each one of the dogs, mutually ensuring the dog and new family are a fit. Well, we sure are happy we found Piper. We will forever support SDF and hope that this inspires you to do the same.
With so much Love,
Sam, Sasha & Piper
I want to send out a heart felt thank you to National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF). Moxie is the most amazing and dedicated search dog and SDF helped in ways they can’t imagine. In the last couple of weeks Moxie was diagnosed with cancer in her back leg and told it would have to be amputated. She had the surgery Monday night and came home last night, she is doing very well but still trying to figure things out. Let me tell you about our sweet girl. She does her job searching even though just a couple of years ago we found out she has been blind her whole life, she doesn’t need to see in order to sniff out her victims. Being blind and now having three legs I am certain that she will continue to do her job well once she has had time to recover.
Brent and I want to thank SDF from the bottom of our heart for your love and dedication to all your dogs and especially our Moxie!!! Thank you!!!
As the Program Manager for Texas Task Force 2 - Urban Search and Rescue, I am very pleased to share the incredible work that the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation does. One of the more difficult positions to fill on a US&R Task Force is that of the canine search specialist. It is difficult to find people that have the skills to train their own dogs to find live victims in collapsed structures. The testing for this skill set is extremely difficult because so much relies on the canine to do their job right every single time. While finding people willing to be handlers is difficult, it is even more difficult to train the ones that are willing. The NDSDF exists to provide trained canines with the unimpeachable skill set to find live victims in collapsed structures. There is so much work that goes into this training. These dogs are extremely valuable to the Task Forces that are fortunate enough to have them, but these dogs are even more valuable to the victims whose lives depend on that dog finding them. The work of the NDSDF does not stop there. They train the handlers that will be working with their dogs. They continue to provide on going training for the service life of that dog. It is my experience that the dogs provided by the NDSDF are the finest in the US&R system. I could not be more pleased or more fortunate that Texas Task Force 2 is the recipient of a number of dogs supplied by the NDSDF. Everyone I have worked with in the organization are professionals in every sense of the word. The NDSDF is the finest example of what a non-profit organization should be.
Steve Coffman, Program Manager
Texas Task Force 2
Review from Guidestar
Since 2009, I have been fortunate to be the Lifetime Care provider for a NDSDF dog that did not complete the training program. Bodie Dog doesn't have the sustained drive to be a search dog, but he is a wonderful companion and has become my dear friend. NDSDF checks in with me regularly to see how Bodie is doing and they provided incredible support when he was injured this year. Adopting a Lifetime Care dog was a way for me to support this great organization and the vital service they provide when disasters happen. It is exciting when I get an update about the deployed dogs working around the world, searching for people in such tough situations. And I am selfishly glad Bodie failed out of the program because he is the best dog and such a wonderful part of my family!
Review from Guidestar
Top Notch organization! Very proud and honored to be part of the NDSDF. They rescue dogs from shelters and train them to find live victims of disasters. They have a small staff, but everyone is always willing to help or answer any question you may have. The training center is second to none and growing! The handler / canine teams would not be successful without everyone in this great organization, the staff, volunteers, sponsors and donors.
Derek Chaky & Scout
TXTF-2
Review from Guidestar
Six years ago the Search Dog Foundation gave my family a wonderful gift. They entrusted us with the care of a dog that had "washed out" of basic training at SDF.
SDF rescued an athletic and energetic 6 month old that had been picked up on the street and left at a county shelter. While promising at the start, during training it became clear he doesn't show all of the particular traits needed in a disaster search dog. Despite that, SDF remains committed to his care to this day. They required careful screening before placing him with us, and keep in communication, even after six years, to ensure his well-being.
While he may not have the makings of a disaster search dog, he shines as a companion. We could not be more grateful. Thank you, SDF!
Review from Guidestar
As a past Executive Director of a smaller nonprofit agency, I realize what passion; sweat equity and how much we rely on the assistance of many volunteers, donors and sponsors to make a nonprofit agency successful! The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (NDSDF) has done everything to make this organization far exceed all expectations. The experienced staff, highly skilled trainers as well as the many outside resources, volunteers, donors and sponsors are what make this organization run like a well-oiled machine. The training facility is state of the art with new additions coming in the future. What the NDSDF does is incomparable to any other.
At the end of the day, canines that could possibly be realizing their last days on this earth are rescued from shelters and are trained to save lives. From,“Rescued to Rescuer”. Although the program is not right for every canine because they do not have all of the characteristics needed for this tough job, every canine in the program is guaranteed a Lifetime Care Commitment whether they make it through the program, or not. They are either placed with another agency such as for detection work or several others, or placed with a loving family that will be their forever home.
My passion and respect for this foundations’ mission and how their work affects so many other lives is indescribable. I can now proudly say that I am the recipient of one of the foundations highly trained search and rescue canines and we are now a SUSAR Type I certified team with a tornado deployment under our belt. Trainings are always amazing to watch these canines work, but working with Skye on a deployment, he took it to an even higher level. He realized that this was no longer a training, but the “real deal” and went straight to work. He was fascinating to watch! There are no words to express the level of gratitude and appreciation that I have for the foundation, trainers, staff, donors, sponsors and the many volunteers who have allowed me to realize my dream.
Andi Sutliffe and Skye
Dallas, TX
Review from Guidestar
About eighteen months ago two of our three dogs, died a week apart. We were very sad and our third dog, George, became severely depressed. He would not eat or go for a walk or play with any dogs at the dog park. Soon we realized we had to find him a new friend. We told George that he could have any dog he wanted ; it was his choice.. We went around to several shelters and introduced him to a few dogs. Sometimes he growled at them. Other times he actually turned his back.
Then he met Topa who had begun training with the Search Dog Foundation, but was unable to complete her training. It was love at first sight and, today a year and a half later, they are still inseparable!
The search foundation has continued to be involved with Topa, sending food coupons and regularly keeping in touch. In the beginning when our high energy girl was difficult on walks, they even sent a trainer to help us. We still keep a close eye on her around strangers, but we live on both coasts and Topa is doing just fine living in two places and staying in different motels every night when on the road.
She seems happiest on our farm in CT, where she runs across the fields at full speed. We still keep a close eye on her around strangers, but this beautiful, playful dog enriches our lives every day and has many canine and human friends.