Here at MYOS, we take immense pride in supporting hardworking dogs and their devoted handlers. Recently, we had the honor of speaking with Julie, an experienced Search and Rescue K9 handler, about her incredible journey with her team of four black Labrador retrievers. From training on rubble piles to navigating snowy terrain, Julie and her dogs embody the dedication and passion that make SAR teams truly extraordinary. Keep reading to hear their amazing story!

Julie worked as a firefighter in the city of Miami and was always involved in the USAR program (Urban Search and Rescue). She has always loved working with dogs, and started working with her first German Shepherds back in the early 1990s. She has been in the field ever since and is now on her tenth working dog as she has since retired from her firefighting career and has relocated to California.

Today, Julie’s pack includes four incredible dogs— Ricochet, Rampage, Rebel, and Widget. Three of her dogs are active in search work, and Widget is enjoying her well-deserved retirement. Julie describes her dogs as both dedicated workers and beloved pets, creating a unique bond that fuels their success.

Julie’s team of black Labs is a family affair—they’re all related! Ricochet, her eldest at nearly 12, is still actively working. Julie describes him as working “smarter, not harder,” relying on his experience to solve problems efficiently. Rampage is her 5-year-old HRD dog. Rebel, the youngest at 4, lives up to his name with a playful, rebellious streak. Widget, who is 10 months younger than Ricochet, specialized in HRD, but has dwarfism which causes her to age more rapidly so she has retired but remains a cherished member of the family!

A Day in the Life of Julie and Her Pack

Julie’s days with her dogs are filled with training, exercise, and adventure. At home, she has a full agility setup in her yard where her dogs can train and play. She also takes them on long hikes, incorporating outdoor elements like climbing on logs for strength and balance training. A favorite activity for the dogs is playing retrieve, which combines sprint work with mental stimulation.

In the winter, navigating snowy terrain becomes part of their exercise routine, adding another layer of challenge to keep them fit. Julie also emphasizes the importance of obedience and emergency stop drills, which she incorporates into their daily activities. In addition to their physical exercise, Julie takes her dogs to training sessions or workshops at least once or twice a week, often at rubble piles designed to simulate real search scenarios.

The Unique Challenges of Search and Rescue Work

Julie works with both live-search and human remains detection (HRD) dogs, each requiring specialized training. She explains that HRD work is particularly challenging due to the complexity of identifying remains in different stages of decomposition and the need to train dogs to ignore distractions like deceased animals or debris from buildings. Despite the challenges, Julie loves the work, and her dogs’ enthusiasm and dedication make every effort worthwhile.

The Role of MYOS in Their Health and Longevity

Julie started using MYOS when she noticed Ricochet was losing muscle mass as he aged. Since then, she’s been giving it to all her dogs, and is very pleased with the results she has seen! She told us that her dogs have always been very fit and exercised a lot, but she is very happy with how MYOS has helped them.

MYOS has helped Widget maintain her muscle mass and mobility despite severe arthritis. For Ricochet, it’s been instrumental in keeping him fit. Julie has also noticed that it has helped keep her younger dogs fit, and she has noticed how strong their endurance is.

Julie plans to keep her entire pack on MYOS for life, ensuring they remain strong, fit, and ready to take on the challenges of search and rescue work.

Supporting SAR Teams Like Julie’s

Julie’s story is a testament to the dedication and effort that SAR handlers and their dogs bring to their work. From rigorous training to handling the complexities of search scenarios, their commitment is unmatched. 

To support teams like Julie’s, consider donating to your local SAR organizations or getting involved with their efforts. Together, we can help ensure these incredible teams continue their life-saving work for years to come!