Rescue Dog Pulled from Neglect Becomes Award-Winning Disaster Search Canine Who Saves Others

Mar. 15, 2025

Harper the dog.Photo:courtesy ASPCA

courtesy ASPCA

Harper is a totally different dog than the pup rescued from a hoarding case several years ago.

According to theASPCA, Harper, a black Lab mix, was one of 22 dogs rescued from a hoarding and neglect case in 2019. After the rescue, Harper moved into theHumane Society of the Black Hillsin South Dakota.

After four days of carefully evaluating Harper and the 21 dogs rescued with her, SDF determined that Harper showed the most potential to be an excellent disaster search dog, so SDF adopted her into its training program in Jan. 2020.

Once at SDF, Harper was placed in the organization’s pilot program to train to become a Human Remains Detection (HRD) canine for the California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2). According to ASPCA, CA-TF2 is an internationally deployable task force comprised of physicians, HAZMAT specialists, rescue specialists, and canine search specialists. Harper proved to be the adept pup SDF suspected she was; she graduated from the program in May 2021.

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Harper with her partner, Edward Ruiz of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.courtesy ASPCA

Since 2022, the duo has deployed from California multiple times to assist with natural disaster response nationwide, including to Florida inthe aftermath of Hurricane Ianand Lahaina, Hawaii, followingthe area’s deadly wildfires. When she is on the ground at a natural disaster site, Harper uses her training and keen sense of smell to find individuals stuck in the destruction.

Harper’s dedication to her work and ability to show the amazing things rescue pets are capable of have earned her major recognition from the ASPCA this year.

The organization named the canine the Dog of the Year for its 2024 ASPCA Humane Awards. The annual awards celebrate people and pets who have used their talents and kindness to positively change the lives of others and champion animal welfare causes.

source: people.com