Canine Search Teams Head to Iran to Search for Earthquake Victims

The nations leader in training canine search teams, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (www.SearchDogsUSA.org), has found its teams called into service in the international arena. With the need for rescue expertise and aid high in Iran, the international community has responded by sending their finest search and rescue resources.

(PRWEB) December 29, 2003 --Ojai, California – The nations leader in training canine search teams, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (www.SearchDogsUSA.org), has found its teams called into service in the international arena. With the need for rescue expertise and aid high in Iran, the international community has responded by sending their finest search and rescue resources.

Activated by the United States Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, the Los Angeles County Task Force has been deployed to Iran with 100% of its canine search teams trained by the Search Dog Foundation (SDF). The five canine search teams are being transported to the Iranian city of Bam via United States Air Force.

The Search Dog Foundation is honored to represent the United States as part of the Los Angeles County Task Force in this international rescue effort. Since we have been responsible for the training each of these canine search teams, this deployment further emphasizes the need to continue to provide the most highly trained canine search teams, commented Wilma Melville, Founder and Executive Director of the Search Dog Foundation.

Responding to his deployment, Captain Marc Valentine, a firefighter with Los Angeles/Montebello Fire Department, said, "There is excitement mixed with the apprehension that comes with going into the unknown. During this incredibly devastating earthquake, we are prepared for this mission and our training through the Search Dog Foundation provides us with the greatest chance of success".

The Search Dog Foundation (www.SearchDogsUSA.org) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to produce the most highly trained canine search teams in the nation at no-cost. They are responsible for training over 80% of California Advanced canine search teams in conjunction with the California Governors Office of Emergency Services and 40% of the nations teams with the support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Many of the dogs were once abandoned in shelters and now are helping to save lives – from rescued to rescuer.

Website: www.SearchDogsUSA.org or call 1-888-4K9-HERO (4376).
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