http://www.SearchDogFoundation.org/

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, 6800 Wheeler Canyon Road, Santa Paula, CA (2026)

06/20/2026

A very happy birthday to Search Dog DIVA! 🎂✨ Like many of our dogs, Diva was originally a family pet, and though her family was willing to work with her to channel her boundless energy, Diva's trainer felt that she might be better suited for life as an active working dog. ⚡ Diva's family agreed, and decided to transfer ownership if they could find the right placement for their sweet, rambunctious girl. When they learned about SDF's program, they agreed it was a perfect fit! Diva's trainer contacted SDF, and soon she was on her way from Utah to the NTC! 🎉

Diva's trainers could tell early on that she was going to be a star student, and their predictions couldn't have been more correct! She quickly advanced through her training, and loved every minute of it—especially when she got to search the rubble pile. 🪨 Her trainers noted that she had so much fun traversing the rubble that she would get bouncy with excitement any time she was presented with an opportunity to fly across the pile!

In May 2022, Diva was paired with Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighter Cory Baldovin, and together the team achieved certification with La County Fire Search Dogs, INC. (CA-TF2). ⛑️ Diva and Cory have deployed multiple times together, most recently putting their skills to the test in February 2023, when the team deployed to Türkiye as members of USA-2 in the wake of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the region, providing aid and hope to those affected. ♥️ We're wishing this amazing girl a fabulous, fun-filled birthday today! 🥳🫶

06/19/2026

📣 Calling all prospective adopters interested in welcoming a high-drive dog into your active home—meet Shadowfox, available for adoption or career placement through SDF's Canine Placement Program!

Shadowfox is a two‑year‑old, spayed female mixed breed with a ton of athleticism and personality packed into her frame. She’s a high‑drive, springy, action‑oriented dog who is happiest when she has a job, a toy, and a partner by her side.

She brings serious energy and enthusiasm to everything she does and loves to jump, leap, and launch herself into action. Her athletic build and playful style make her a great candidate for activities like agility, frisbee, structured play, or other dog sports where she can use both her body and her brain.

If you’re drawn to athletic dogs, enjoy training, and want a partner who’s ready for adventure, Shadowfox could be your perfect match!

Our Canine Placement Program promises a lifetime of love and care to every dog rescued by SDF, and ensures every dog is carefully matched with a home or career that's a great fit for their unique personality. ❤️

Head to our website (linked below) to get to know Shadowfox and other great dogs available for placement, or tap "Apply Today!" to submit an application—your new best friend can't wait to meet you! 🐾

https://www.searchdogfoundation.org/canine-placement-program/?mgi_325=67263/shadowfox

06/18/2026

June is National Foster a Pet Month! 🐶💕 At SDF, we've seen firsthand the positive impact that fostering can have on dogs looking for their forever homes. In addition to all of the fun they have with their foster families, our foster pups get to experience what it's like to live in a real home environment, therefore gaining lots of "home life" practice and further developing their socialization skills!

To our dedicated foster volunteers and all the awesome foster parents out there who are making a difference—thank you! 🫶

Interested in fostering a dog in our program? Head to https://www.searchdogfoundation.org/foster-friends/ to learn more about SDF's Foster Friends program and apply to be an SDF foster volunteer today! Ventura and LA County residents only, please. ❤️

06/16/2026

Congratulations to all the search teams who recently achieved certification in Riverside, California, last weekend, including seven SDF-trained teams! Some of our teams re-certified (as they must every three years) while others certified for the first time. 🎉 Let's give a big round of applause to the following teams:

CA-TF1 - Los Angeles Fire Department
✔️ Ed Chea & Nala
✔️ Eric Ingstad & Chip
✔️ Mark Stevenson & Nico
✔️ Mark Stevenson & R***r

CA-TF2 - La County Fire Search Dogs, INC. Los Angeles County Fire Department
✔️ Ed Ruiz & Six
✔️ Celina Serrano & Rufus

CA-TF5 - OCFA Urban Search & Rescue Team Orange County Fire Authority
✔️ Sean Monville & Nanci

This exciting milestone enables search teams to deploy with their task forces when disaster strikes, and we couldn't be more proud of the hard work they have put into achieving this certification. Please join us in congratulating these incredible teams! 👏

Meet all of the SDF-trained teams that have certified so far in 2026: https://www.searchdogfoundation.org/2026-certifications/

06/06/2026

Today is and here at SDF we're lucky to have many beautiful hiking trails on and around our 145-acre campus! ⛰️ Hitting the trails for some fresh air and exercise is a favorite enrichment activity around here for dogs and humans alike—in addition to the physical benefits, getting outdoors allows both person and pup to destress and decompress from the day, and can even be a great bonding experience! 🐾

So if you're looking for a fun and beneficial activity you and your dog can do together, look no further than your local trails—just remember to check that the area is dog-friendly, keep an eye out for foxtails and local wildlife, and don't forget to bring plenty of water, snacks and doggy bags! Happy hiking! 🌲🥾

06/05/2026

🌈💔 We are heartbroken to share that retired Search Dog Ivan has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

When a breeder had an accidental litter, Ivan was taken in by a canine enthusiast who then gifted him to a friend who wanted a dog of their own. However, Ivan proved to be a lot for the average pet owner to handle, so Ivan was returned, and it soon became clear that he was going to need a job to keep him happy and fulfilled.

An SDF trainer was leading a Drive and Decoy workshop when she spotted Ivan, who she could tell right away had incredible drive. She believed that Ivan had potential as a search dog, and Ivan's caretaker agreed. Before long, Ivan was on his way to the NTC to begin his formal training. His canine trainers soon discovered that Ivan was carefree, full of joy, and loved to play in water. He also had a wonderful, sweet temperament—he knew when it was time to work, but had an amazing off switch when it was time to settle down.

In August 2014, Ivan graduated and was partnered with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Battalion Chief Kristi Bartlett, and together the pair achieved certification with Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue. Together, the team responded to Hurricanes Irma, Maria, Idalia, and Helene, as well as the 2021 Haiti earthquake and a missing person search. Additionally, the team deployed to Türkiye in 2023, as members of USA-1 to aid rescue efforts in the wake of the deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the region.

Ivan officially retired from the task force in November 2022, and remained a beloved family member in the Bartlett home in his retirement years. On April 20, 2026, Ivan crossed the Rainbow Bridge with his best friend and partner Kristi by his side. Anyone who knew Ivan knew what a special guy he was, and he will be missed dearly by all those whose lives he touched. Ivan's life and dedicated service will be honored at our Canine Memorial Wall. ❤️

🕊️ You can read more about Ivan here: https://www.searchdogfoundation.org/rainbowbridge/?mgi_256=25206/ivan-2012-2026

06/04/2026

📣 Calling all prospective adopters interested in welcoming a high-drive dog into your active home—meet Georgia, available for adoption or career placement through SDF's Canine Placement Program!

Georgia is two years old, 51 lbs, and the sweetest girl we ever did meet! Georgia loves to play and snuggle with her favorite blankets and stuffies, but more than that, she absolutely ADORES her humans and wants to go everywhere and do everything together! This friendly girl also enjoys romping around with her dog pals in doggy playgroup, and we think she would do well with (and quite enjoy!) another dog in the household. Georgia would no doubt thrive in an active pet or sport home where she can join in her favorite humans' adventures, though with her drive and eagerness to please, she's also a strong candidate for a low-impact detection career. Wherever Georgia's path takes her, one thing is certain: this adorable, bubbly girl is bound to steal hearts wherever she goes!

Our Canine Placement Program promises a lifetime of love and care to every dog rescued by SDF, and ensures every dog is carefully matched with a home or career that's a great fit for their unique personality. ❤️

Head to our website (linked below) to get to know Georgia and other great dogs available for placement, or tap "Apply Today!" to submit an application—your new best friend can't wait to meet you! 🐾

https://www.searchdogfoundation.org/canine-placement-program/?mgi_326=64425/georgia

06/02/2026

Best birthday wishes to Search Dog GOLDIE! 💖✨ As a puppy, Goldie was adopted by a young couple who were hoping for a mellow yellow Lab. However, while Goldie is a yellow Lab, she's about as far from mellow as one can be! 😅 Her family tried to rein in her wild energy, but with a baby on the way, they knew they would need to find a new placement for Goldie—one that would be able to provide an outlet for her seemingly endless energy. Goldie was listed for adoption in a local paper, and as luck would have it, an SDF recruiter noticed the ad and reached out! Before long, Goldie was aboard the Four-Legged Kids Bus on her way to SDF! 🚌

Upon Goldie's arrival, we were immediately charmed by this gorgeous girl and her sweet, spunky, outgoing, lovable personality. 🥰 Once she began her formal training, it didn't take long before 'talented working dog' was added to her list of accolades—she's a rockstar on the rubble, navigating the pile with laser-focused precision and drive! 🎯

In May 2024, Goldie graduated and was partnered with Trinity Maurer of Virginia Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue Team, and together the pair achieved certification with VA-TF2, enabling them to deploy with their task force when disaster strikes. ⛑️ In April of this year, Goldie and Trinity embarked on their first mission when a building collapsed in Newport News, VA. The team conducted a thorough search of the structure, and ensured that no one was missing or injured! 🙌 Happy birthday Goldie—we hope you get all the cuddles and pampering you want today! 👑💗

06/01/2026

A very happy birthday to Search Dog MONTECITO—or Monte for short! 🥳❤️ Monte was part of a pack of stray dogs that was living near an abandoned property, when a resident of the neighborhood—who happened to be a rescue volunteer—noticed the dogs and began reaching out to people in her network to help rescue the dogs. After the pack was rescued, Monte's caretaker saw his intense toy drive, evaluated him for SDF's program, and determined that he had the right traits for the job! ✔️

Monte was originally hesitant to engage with humans, but slowly he came to trust and love people, bonding strongly with his trainers throughout his time in the program. 💕 This once timid boy thrived in his training, gaining confidence on the rubble pile and mastering each new skill with enthusiasm. 🙌

Monte gravitated toward Dirección de Bomberos Tijuana firefighter Luis Garcia from the start, so it was no surprise when this dynamic duo was officially partnered in June 2019, upon Monte's graduation. 🤝 Monte and Luis work side-by-side as members of USAR Baja California FT-BC-3, and together, this hardworking team has deployed an impressive 11 times together. 💪 Monte also has a special skill: he's bilingual, as Luis communicates with him in both English and Spanish! Feliz cumpleaños, Monte! 🎉🎂

05/31/2026

For 30 years, you've helped make our mission possible. 🫶

From the very beginning, SDF's lifesaving work has been driven by people who believed in the power of second chances, and the importance of strengthening disaster response. The incredible support of our community has empowered us to change countless lives over the past 30 years, and together, we look forward to 30 more years of impact!

THANK YOU for being part of the search! 🐾

Be part of the next 30 years: www.searchdogfoundation.org/sdf30/

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

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