SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- A different kind of highly trained
athlete is working behind the scenes to protect international competitors and
visitors at the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Four Canine Disaster Search teams affiliated with the National Disaster
Search Dog Foundation are integral members of a California Task Force deployed
to the Olympics by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"Our search dog and handler teams have rightfully earned the confidence of
safety officials worldwide. We are proud to offer these certified two- and
four-legged experts in support of the Olympic Games," says Brian Humphreys,
Public Information Officer for the Los Angeles City Fire Department and NDSDF
Board member.
The eyes of the world are on the Olympics, and nearly every nation will be
represented, with unprecedented focus on international relations in light of
the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
"We're there to ensure that everyone will have a wonderful time, " says
Debra Tosch, handler and NDSDF Program Coordinator, who is at the Olympics
with her dog, Abby. Other NDSDF affiliated teams on the Task Force are
firefighter paramedic Deresa Teller with Bella (veterans of both Oklahoma City
and the World Trade Center searches), investment counselor Ron Weckbacher with
Manny, and Firefighter Howard Orr with Duke. This highly experienced Task
Force team worked together at the World Trade Towers after September 11th.
The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, based in Ojai, California, is
the leader in the field of canine disaster search training. The NDSDF trained
13 of the FEMA Certified Canine Search Teams deployed to the World Trade
Center.
There is a tremendous shortage of FEMA Certified disaster search
dog/handler teams; less than half the number of needed teams is available for
deployment within the United States.
The NDSDF routinely rescues dogs with disaster search potential from
animal shelters, gives them intensive professional training, and pairs them
with a firefighter handler.
The cost to train a dog and handler team to reach FEMA Certification is
$10,000.00.
"We are very proud that NDSDF dogs are providing a safety net at the
Olympics," says Wilma Melville, Founder and Executive Director. "With each
deployment, handlers and dogs gain experience that can be passed on to others
in training."
Those who would like to further advance the work of NDSDF may contact the
Foundation at 888-646-1242, or visit the web site at http://www.ndsdf.org .
For further information, please contact: Wilma Melville, Executive
Director of National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, +1-805-646-1015,
rescue@ndsdf.org.
SOURCE The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation
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Related links:
http://www.ndsdf.org
CONTACT:
Wilma Melville, Executive Director of
National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, +1-805-646-1015,
rescue@ndsdf.org
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