1/21/10

Rescue Dogs and Handlers in Haiti

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

Show Description:

Host Catherine Bradford welcomes back Wilma Melville, founder of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. Catherine was honored to have Wilma join her last Friday during her first hour of Our View: Topical Talk, where Wilma explained that many dogs and handlers, trained by the NDSDF, from the Los Angeles team were actively working in Haiti looking for people still alive and buried in the rubble. During our interview she revealed that a team from L.A. had just discovered three girls, still alive in the rubble. I am pleased to have Wilma Melville join me again to share about her incredible organization. Please feel free to visit their website and I encourage all of you to donate to this worthy organization!

http://www.searchdogfoundation.org

Founded in 1996, the NDSDF is a 501 C3 and is based in So. California, with teams all over the nation. There mission is to strengthen disaster response in America and around the world by recruiting rescued dogs and partnering them with firefighters and other first responders to find people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters. They offer th professioally traind canines and an ongoing training program at no cost to the departments.They also ensure lifetime care for every dog in their program: once rescued, these dogs never have to be rescued again.

http://www.searchdogfoundatio.org

Guest Bio:

Founded in 1996, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Ojai, California. Our mission is to strengthen disaster response in America by recruiting rescued dogs and partnering them with firefighters and other first responders to find people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters. We offer the professionally trained canines and an ongoing training program at no cost to fire departments. And we ensure lifetime care for every dog in our program: once rescued, these dogs never need to be rescued again.

There are currently 69 SDF-trained Search Teams located in California, Florida, New York, Oklahoma, and Utah. Four Texas teams will be added to the roster in 2009. Thanks to Mutual Aid Agreements between counties, cities and states, these precious, life-saving resources can be shared regionally and nationally.