Mother Nature Network

laurajmoss:

I interviewed a woman for MNN today whose nonprofit, Search Dog Foundation, has sent 11 search-and-rescue dogs and 11 volunteer firefighter/dog handlers to search for survivors in Oklahoma.

Why we turn to dogs when disaster strikes
From aiding search-and-rescue missions to lending a shoulder to cry on, man’s best friend can often be found at the site of tragedy.

Disaster relief is flooding into Moore, Okla., but along with volunteers and supplies, there are dogs.
 
Some, including the 11 canine disaster search teams trained by the Search Dog Foundation or SDF, are scouring tornado debris for survivors. Others are en route to comfort the devastated city’s residents. Lutheran Church Charities, whose therapy dogs have worked with victims of the Boston bombings and the Newtown, Conn., shootings, is sending six dogs from its Chicago headquarters.
 
When disaster strikes, man’s best friend is often there, working on the frontlines of rescue efforts, as well as behind the scenes, helping people cope with trauma and loss.
Read more.