A New Job For Canine Pearl

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Fire Captain Ron Horetski of Fire Station 69 and his search and rescue canine, Pearl, are trained to work under chaotic conditions. As part of our California Task Force 2 team, they are ready to deploy anywhere in the world to provide disaster recovery aid to those in need. But on June 8, nothing could have prepared them for meeting a roomful of thrilled second graders who were bursting with excitement at meeting the hero of their book, A New Job for Pearl. The book was the brainchild of Allyn Lee, whose daughter had been in second-grade teacher Connie Forslind's class at Rancho Romero Elementary School in Alamo, California.  Lee, a former zoo docent, had written two books on rescue animals with Forslind's previous classes, but both were fiction. Lee was researching for a new book when she came across the story of Pearl and Captain Horetski who were assisting in recovery efforts in Haiti. The fact that Pearl was a shelter animal who had been rescued herself was particularly appealing to Lee, and she found her story.

Horetski was honored when he received the call from Lee informing him of the book, and assumed it would be just a few illustrations stapled together. He was later surprised to receive a 24-page, professionally printed and bound book published with donated funds.

The story follows the early life of three year old Black Labrador Pearl, or "Black Pearl," named after her black, glossy coat. She originally belonged to a young man who left her alone in his backyard most of the day. Her high energy levels and need for attention led her to many escapes. After she was picked up several times by animal control officers, her owner surrendered her to High Sierra Animal Rescue, which works with the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (NDSDF). Pearl's personality made her a perfect NDSDF candidate and she was accepted into the program.  In July 2008, she was teamed with Horetski, and in May 2009 they received their FEMA certification.

When Horetski and Pearl visited their second-grade biographers, they were greated with screams of "Pearl!", and lots of local media attention. After demonstrations of Pearl's skills, she and the kids went out to play during recess. Since Pearl's only playtime is limited to a toy after successfully completing her work, this recess was a rare treat. "She had a blast," said Horetski.

The class is donating all proceeds from the book sale to the NDSDF, with the goal of raising enough money to train one search dog. The book sells for a donation of $10, and can be purchased by contacting Lee at (925) 588-8180.

Click here to view the website for the book A New Job For Pearl:
www.anewjobforpearl.org

Click here to view the YouTube video of the book:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlK1M1vj1to

Photo By: Jim Stevens, Contra Costa Times



Author:County of Los Angeles Fire Dept. Press Release