-- Celebrating the Work and
Dedication of America's Search and Rescue Dogs --
With the
recent earthquakes in Haiti, much attention has been brought to the
search and rescue dogs working to free trapped citizens from the
rubble. With certain capabilities far surpassing those of a human,
these dogs have saved innumerable lives - and after working long
shifts without complaint, these animals also provide comfort to
their handlers in distressing conditions, making us appreciate the
extraordinary canine-human bond and the innumerable ways dogs
contribute to our lives in the most incredible ways!
Locally, New York Task Force One, sponsored by the NYC Office of
Emergency Management and staffed by NYPD and FDNY personnel,
deployed to Haiti with four search and rescue K-9 teams in early
January to assist with earthquake recovery and relief efforts. After
a more than a week-long deployment in Port Au Prince, the dogs and
handlers returned with six rescues under their belts, including
freeing 10 and 8-year old siblings from the rubble.
In recognition of their efforts, the American Kennel Club and AKC
Companion Animal Recovery Canine Support and Relief Fund have
donated $25,000 to the United States Police Canine Association
Region 7, which includes New York City, to enhance ongoing search
and rescue education of law enforcement K-9s and their handlers
wanting to further their training in detecting and locating lost,
missing or injured persons.
The AKC and AKC CAR have a long history of supporting SAR teams. The
AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund was created in the wake of
the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in response to the
exemplary work and dedication of the search and rescue dog first
responders. Since its creation, the Fund has provided $3 million to
date in search and rescue grants as well as disaster relief in
response to hurricanes, floods and wildfires.
The fund accepts both donations and applications for grant money at
the following sites: http://www.akc.org/donations/ and http://www.akc.org/dogny/grants.cfm.
The American Kennel Club has also recognized search and rescue dogs
since 2000 by awarding an AKC Humane Fund Award for Canine
Excellence (ACE) in a search and rescue category. Over the past nine
years, search and rescue ACE winners have located lost Alzheimer's
patients, children, and people with mental disabilities; have worked
at Ground Zero at the World Trade Center on 9/11; and served in
Iraq, at the Texas A&M bonfire collapse, the Oklahoma City bombing
site, the Columbia Space Shuttle recovery operation site, and in New
Orleans during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
We're especially proud of our purebred search and rescue ACE winners
including Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers,
Border Collies and other sporting, hunting and herding breeds. For a
job requiring a well-socialized, healthy dog with predictable
instincts and work ethic, purebreds are the dog of choice. If you
know of a deserving search and rescue team please nominate them for
the 2010 ACE at: http://www.akc.org/news/ace/.
We hope that you join us in saluting these brave dogs and the
important contributions they make in supporting our country and
world in the worst disasters, as these search and rescue teams truly
represent the best of what dogs have to offer.
Sincerely,
