Search and Rescue Canine "Hunter" Receives American Kennel Club Dog of the Year Award

Add Feedback

Share |

On September 14, the American Kennel Club (AKC) announced LACoFD's Urban Search and Rescue canine, "Hunter," as the recipient of their 2011 Search and Rescue Dog of the Year award. He and his handler, Fire Captain Bill Monahan, were recognized for their work assisting the people of Haiti and Japan following devastating earthquakes that struck the island nations in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Hunter was able to locate three girls in Haiti who were alive and trapped in a collapsed four-story building, where the victims were so deeply buried it took rescuers seven hours to free them. In Japan, he tirelessly searched for survivors despite an injury to his leg and a treacherous, unstable environment where he was subjected to freezing temperatures and the threat of aftershocks.

"He climbs over rubble and debris and steps on nails and glass and Venetian blinds, all for the reward of finding that person who is hidden," said Monahan, who accepted the award on behalf of Hunter and our Department's other Canine Search and Rescue Teams. "It's a proud moment to be able to accept this for all of us," he said.

Hunter, an eight-year-old red and white border collie, was teamed with Monahan seven years ago after being trained as a disaster search dog by the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (NDSDF). A rescue dog, Hunter was given to the NDSDF when his paraplegic owner was unable to keep up with his rambunctious demeanor. Monahan had previously worked with a search and rescue black Lab named Max, who was tragically stolen from him just before the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Despite the loss of Max, Monahan's passion for the canine search and rescue program led him to approach NDSDF for another partner, and he received Hunter on April 12, 2004. In May of 2006, Monahan and Hunter passed their DHS/FEMA Certification test, qualifying them to be deployed to international disasters. Despite the danger of his job, finding a victim is all a game of hide and seek for Hunter, who is rewarded with a toy every time he finds someone. The AKC award is just one of several Hunter has received over the years.

Most recently, he was named the "Firefighter of the Year" by the Lancaster Elks Lodge in January of this year, the first-ever dog to garner this award. Said Monahan, "I am probably way more honored than him. I don't know if he knows yet he's got another medal to add to his collection." Hunter was one of five remarkable canines honored by the AKC for significant contributions to their communities in the categories of Exemplary Companion Dog, Law Enforcement, Service and Therapy and Search and Rescue.

"The AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence celebrate what dogs contribute to our lives and these five exceptional recipients exemplify the selfless service canines perform for us everyday," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The dogs we're honoring with the ACE award show the impact a single dog can make in a community." Hunter and the other recipients will receive $1,000 and an engraved Sterling silver medallion presented at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, Florida on December 17.

Viewers can watch the ceremonies during the national broadcast on ABC Television on February 4, 2012 (check your local listings).

Republished with permission of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. View original article here.



Author:Los Angeles County Fire Department