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Saber
2004

SAR

  

Rough Collie

Every year, the American Kennel Club
presents its Award for Canine Excellence to dogs who
"enrich, inspire or contribute to the lives of individuals and communities".

Awards are given out in 5 categories: Exemplary Companion Dog (ECD),
Law Enforcement (LAW), Search and Rescue (SAR),
Service (S), and Therapy (T)

Here is the story of one such dog:

Dallas, Texas   Saber, a 10 year-old Collie and his owner, Fleta Kirk, are members of MARK-9 Search and Rescue in Texas. Certified in 1996 as an air scent dog in urban, disaster and wilderness work, Saber is crossed-trained in water search, scent discrimination, cadaver and trailing.

He is an original member of Texas Task Force 1, a statewide disaster response team and has served with the international 1st Special Response Group. While Saber has worked many high-profile searches such as the Force 5 tornadoes in Oklahoma and the recovery operation following the Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy, he has also dedicated himself to grueling work outside the spotlight.

Saber has become acclimated to aircraft, helicopters and the canine harness used to lower him into otherwise inaccessible areas. This tireless dog is also devoted to educating the general public on the role of the Search and Rescue Dog, and along with other members of MARK-9, educates approximately 2500 children each year on what to do if they become lost. Saber was recognized by the Plano (Texas) Police Department Crime Prevention Unit for his work with children and is a member of the Oklahoma Veterinary Animal Hall of Fame.

 

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