Idaho Disaster Dogs
Urban Search and Rescue
K9 Scout Searching
Who We Are
In 2005, the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security established three technical rescue task forces to be able to respond to complex emergency incidents such as building collapses or other disasters. Members of these three teams received specialized search and rescue training, and an impressive cache of equipment was purchased to be able to provide this needed resource. Specially trained canines have been utilized by the federal urban search and rescue teams because they have been proven to be faster and more efficient in locating victims of these type of incidents. The cost associated with this resource was beyond the available funding the state had however.
Idaho Disaster Dogs was founded shortly after that by Coeur d’Alene Firefighters Dave Tysdal and Jeff Sells to help augment the search capabilities of these three task forces. It was felt that bringing this search capability to the state teams that would arrive early in the incident, would save lives. Relationships were built with Northwest Disaster Search Dogs and Arizona Search Dogs in an effort to help guide the selection and training of canines and handlers. These two non-profit organizations also helped shape how Idaho Disaster Dogs would be able to fund the creation and maintenance of this valuable resource.
The team has achieved many milestones along the way as well as having trained with some of the most experienced disaster canine handlers in the world. Idaho Disaster Dogs has deployed teams to assist with local, state, tribal and federal responses. Canine teams have participated with a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force as responders and deployed to disasters across the country. All these milestones and experiences have prepared our teams for what they may someday be called to do here at home. The success of Idaho Disaster Dogs has been, in no small part, associated with the continued support of the City of Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and our local community.
Meet The K9’s
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![Chocolate Lab - Search and Rescue]()
Eagle
Eagle is a Chocolate Labrador. She is sponsored by the CDA Eagles.
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![Yellow Labrador - Urban Search and Rescue]()
Murphy
Murphy has been a member of Idaho Disaster Dogs since he was 7 weeks old.
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![Belgian Malinois - K9 Urban Search and Rescue]()
Chava
Chava is a Belgian Malinois, born in early 2022. She is currently in training to become a rescue dog. She joined our team in March of 2023.
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![Yellow Labrador - K9 Urban Search and Rescue]()
Tamarack
Tamarack is an energetic, smart, fun-loving dog. He was born on Oct. 19, 2019. He is strong, fast, and loves being active.
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![Yellow Labrador - K9 Urban Search and Rescue]()
Scout
Scout was born in 2013 and is the oldest dog on the team.
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![Black Lab - Urban Search and Rescue]()
Bear
K9 Bear is a Black Labrador born February 2018. he likes to sleep on his back, and is known for being the most calm lab on the team… but when it’s time to work, then it’s go time!
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![Yellow Labrador - Urban Search and Rescue]()
Lady
Meet Lady! She’s one of two girls on the dog team that loves to keep up with the rest of the boys. Her favorite thing to do in training is searching so she can play tug o’war.
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![Yellow Labrador - Urban Search and Rescue]()
Duke
Duke has been with the team sine he was 7 weeks old. He is also one of the three senior members of the team.
