09/11/2026
25 years ago today tragedy struck our nation
Today, we at Paws & Promises LLC want to take a moment to not only remember the tragedy of that day and the thousands of lives lost, but we want to take a moment to remember those brave canines who gave it their all at ground zero that day, and many days to follow.
Please take a moment to remember and read about these heroic canines
On September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists associated with the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes in a coordinated su***de attack against the United States.
The Attacks
World Trade Center: Two hijacked planes were flown into the Twin Towers in New York City, causing both towers to collapse.
The Pentagon: A third plane struck the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters near Washington, D.C., in Arlington, Virginia.
Shanksville, Pennsylvania: Passengers and crew on the fourth plane fought back against the hijackers, forcing the plane to crash in a rural field before it could reach its intended target in Washington, D.C.
The Rescue Canines
More than 300 canine heroes deployed to Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville following the attacks on September 11, 2001, to assist human first responders
Roles and Duties
Search and Rescue (SAR): FEMA-certified disaster dogs navigated unstable debris and tight spaces to locate survivors and victims.
Recovery and Cadaver Dogs: Handlers utilized specialized scent-detection dogs to find human remains as rescue operations transitioned.
Therapy and Comfort: Dogs provided vital emotional support and morale boosts to exhausted rescue workers operating on 12-hour shifts.
Mock Finds: Handlers periodically staged hidden mock finds in the rubble to keep the dogs' spirits and drive high when few survivors were found.
Notable Dogs
Bretagne: A Golden Retriever who spent 10 days working Ground Zero on her first deployment. She lived to be 16 and was known as the last known surviving 9/11 search dog when she passed away in 2016.
Roselle: A yellow Labrador guide dog who led her blind owner down 78 floors of the North Tower to safety.
Apollo: A German Shepherd K-9 who was among the first at Ground Zero, nearly fell into burning rubble, and was later awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal.
Sirius: An NYPD police K-9 who tragically perished when the World Trade Center towers collapsed.
Legacy
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum features dedicated educational displays honoring these animals.
