09/11/2026
Today, 25 years ago, our country was forever changed. We remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and hold close in our hearts the families who lost loved ones that day.
An excerpt from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum website:
"Within hours after the attacks of Sept. 11, thousands of rescue workers from across America deployed to ground zero to help in the search and rescue efforts. Joining the endeavor were dogs specially trained in search and rescue, police work, therapy and comfort. It is estimated that more than 300 dogs took part in the search, rescue and recovery efforts at ground zero...
Working alongside their handlers, the four-legged heroes worked tirelessly climbing huge piles of debris while fires still smoldered. The search for signs of life or human remains was mentally and physically taxing on the dogs, as the SAR dogs began to get discouraged and lose their search drive. Aware of the importance of morale in these dogs and to keep their motivation high, their handlers would stage a “mock find” so the dogs could feel successful...
In addition to search and rescue dogs at ground zero, therapy dogs...provided comfort to the firemen and rescue workers who continued to work countless of hours on the pile. They represented a respite from the surrounding destruction and debris, even only for a minute."
Photo caption: Sirius, 2001, Ron Burns (American, b. 1954), acrylic on canvas. Collection 9/11 Memorial Museum, Gift of Ron and Buff Burns
To learn more about the dogs of 9/11 and to read the rest of this article, visit their website: 🔗 https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/four-legged-911-heroes
