MEET SOME OF OUR SEARCH DOG SPONSORS…

B & B Family Foundation (Santa Barbara)

Inspiring stories of how dogs make a difference in the world have always touched my family. When we heard about rescued dogs being trained to rescue people in the aftermath of disasters, we had to meet these heroes. After seeing firsthand how amazing they are, how well trained, well loved, and well provided for throughout their happy, productive lives, we wanted to sponsor a dog, and be a part of their life-saving efforts.”  

- Devon Geiger Nielsen

Nationwide Court Reporting Community Service Project

Congratulations to the court reporting community on surpassing their goal. The industry's dedication and passion for keeping their colleague's memory alive is truly inspiring!

Nationwide Community Service Memorial Project in Memory of Fallen Colleague

In March of 2005, 43-year-old Julie Ann Brandau was slain during a violent rampage in a downtown Atlanta courtroom. Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a fellow court reporter and knowing that Julie Ann was a civil servant and dog lover, the local court reporting association in Los Angeles—the Reporters Association of Southern California (RASCAL)—felt it fitting to honor her memory by supporting the mission of the Search Dog Foundation. In May 2005, RASCAL launched a community service project with the goal of raising $10,000 to sponsor a canine search team in Julie Ann’s memory.

The reporters' project continues to blossom. As of June 2007, court reporters nationwide have raised over $27,000 and are proud sponsors of two SDF canine search teams: Captain Marc Valentine of the Montebello Fire Department and his yellow Labrador Retriever, Val, and Deputy Sheriff Su Vodrazka of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and her black Labrador Retriever, Hero.

Julie Ann's dedication to duty and her love of animals will long be remembered through the noble work of the Search Dog Foundation.

THE California Federation of Women's Clubs The CFWC has named SDF as one of the organizations that will benefit from contributions from its membership through 2008.  “We’ve asked every club to do their best to celebrate their emergency service providers,” says CFWC President Tammy Guensler.  To date the groups have raised over $6,000 toward the sponsorship of a search dog.  With 14,645 members in 323 clubs in California, they’re sure to reach their goal of sponsorship!

“The Federation of Women’s Clubs has given support to service dogs since the Society’s founding.  So it stands to reason that this group, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, which rescues and trains dogs to save lives, would be a cause we wholeheartedly support.  Higgins, Sandi and Gypsy have won the hearts of quite a few of us.” 

— Barbara Kuhns, CFWC Helping Hands