As Hurricanes Helene and Milton ravage the southeastern states, the Ventura County-based Search Dog Foundation has 26 locally trained canine teams deployed to affected areas to locate survivors amid the wreckage of the disaster, including a search dog and handler who previously searched for survivors after Montecito 9/1. Debris flow in 2018.

Twelve disaster search teams were deployed in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which hit Florida’s Gulf Coast less than two weeks ago. Many of these teams remain in North Carolina, actively contributing to recovery efforts. The passage of Hurricane Milton on October 9 resulted in the deployment of 16 additional teams to the region.

“We currently have search and human remains search dogs in North Carolina, as well as in Florida,” said Denise Sanders, senior director of communications and search team operations at the Search Dog Foundation. “Usually after a hurricane there is a lot of flooding. They will be looking for survivors who may have stayed home or were unable to evacuate.

The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation works to strengthen America’s disaster relief efforts through its dog rescue, recruitment and training process. Each dog is paired with a first responder with the shared mission of finding survivors among the rubble of natural disasters.

“The dogs stay with us for about 9 to 12 months, then they are paired with a firefighter or other first responder attached to a task force, state or federal,” Sanders said.

Veteran duo Deacon and Mike Toepfer are well prepared for emergency relief. As members of California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2), which grants international eligibility for disaster relief, the team was deployed during the deadly 2018 Montecito debris flow and earthquake. devastating land of last year in Turkey.

As recovery efforts continue in North Carolina and Florida, teams continue to provide invaluable aid and assistance to affected areas. For more information, visit the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation website.