Hi! My Name Is RYDER – SEARCH & RESCUE TRAINEE!
We're happy to tell you that
RYDER – SEARCH & RESCUE TRAINEE! has a new furever home.
Please visit our
Available Dogs Page to see the pups currently available.
We have some AMAZING news to report!! Ryder came to us back in October 2024 from a rural shelter in Missouri. From the moment we met him, we knew he was something very special. His focus and his drive is unlike anything we'd ever seen before. His passion for retrieving was too much for potential adopters. We couldn't shake the feeling that he was meant for a higher purpose. Our director was adamant that he was born to be a search & rescue dog, and so began the campaign to see if we could make that happen.
We recently completed a very lengthy application process with videos of Ryder retrieving in various scenarios, including staged disaster environments. We tested his distraction level with banging metal bowls and other dogs and strangers. Ryder stayed completely focused on his job.
On Tuesday, we submitted his formal application and all the materials and videos that were required to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. In less than 24 hours, they responded that Ryder had been chosen to enter their training program. They were so impressed with his natural-born skills, there was no question about accepting him.
Ryder will be starting his journey soon to their national training facility in California. He will begin his formal training which lasts 8-10 months by a talented group of professional trainers in the field of urban search and rescue.
Once Ryder and his handler are partnered as a team, they form an extraordinary bond that will one day save lives. Ryder will be with his handler 24/7, ready at any moment should disaster strike. The team trains weekly on rubble to reach the extremely high skill level needed to attain FEMA or State Certification. SDF provides ongoing training to ensure that the teams maintain top deployment readiness at all times.
We are so excited for Ryder. Although it will be bittersweet to see him leave us, we know that he is one very lucky dog to do what he was born to do.
Ryder is a Black Lab/Border Collie mix who was was born approximately 8-6-23 and weighs 45 lbs. He is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, given flea/tick preventative, dewormed, tested heartworm negative and started on heartworm prevention. Adoption fee is $400 to help offset the many expenses we have for vetting costs. We rely strictly on adoption fees and donations to continue to save the lives of orphaned & abandoned pets; 100% goes towards their care.
