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Hero Dogs: How a Pack of Rescues, Rejects, and Strays Became America's Greatest Disaster-Search Partners
Lola was a buckshot-riddled stray, lost on a Memphis highway. Cody was rejected from seven different homes. Ace had been sprayed with mace and left for dead on a train track. They were deemed unadoptable. Untrainable. Unsalvageable. These would become the same dogs America relied on when its worst disasters hit.
In 1995, Wilma Melville volunteered as a canine search-and-rescue (SAR) handler with her Black Labrador Murphy in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing. At the time, there were only fifteen FEMA certified SAR dogs in the United States. Believing in the value of these remarkable animals to help save lives, Wilma knew many more were needed in the event of future major disasters. She made a vow to help 168 dogs receive search-and-rescue training in her lifetime—one for every Oklahoma City victim.
Wilma singlehandedly established the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) to meet this challenge. The first canine candidates—Ana, Dusty, and Harley—were a trio of golden retrievers with behavioral problems so severe the dogs were considered irredeemable and unadoptable. But with patience, discipline, and love applied during training, they proved to have the ability, agility, and stamina to graduate as SARs. Paired with a trio of firefighters, they were among the first responders searching the ruins of the World Trade Center following 9/11—setting the standard for the more than 168 of the SDF’s search-and-rescue dogs that followed.
Beautiful and heart-wrenching, Hero Dogs is the story of one woman’s dream brought to fruition by dedicated volunteers and firefighters—and the bonds they forged with the incredible rescued-turned-rescuer dogs to create one of America’s most vital resources in disaster response.
In 1995, Wilma Melville volunteered as a canine search-and-rescue (SAR) handler with her Black Labrador Murphy in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing. At the time, there were only fifteen FEMA certified SAR dogs in the United States. Believing in the value of these remarkable animals to help save lives, Wilma knew many more were needed in the event of future major disasters. She made a vow to help 168 dogs receive search-and-rescue training in her lifetime—one for every Oklahoma City victim.
Wilma singlehandedly established the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) to meet this challenge. The first canine candidates—Ana, Dusty, and Harley—were a trio of golden retrievers with behavioral problems so severe the dogs were considered irredeemable and unadoptable. But with patience, discipline, and love applied during training, they proved to have the ability, agility, and stamina to graduate as SARs. Paired with a trio of firefighters, they were among the first responders searching the ruins of the World Trade Center following 9/11—setting the standard for the more than 168 of the SDF’s search-and-rescue dogs that followed.
Beautiful and heart-wrenching, Hero Dogs is the story of one woman’s dream brought to fruition by dedicated volunteers and firefighters—and the bonds they forged with the incredible rescued-turned-rescuer dogs to create one of America’s most vital resources in disaster response.
327 pages, Hardcover
Published January 8, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
February 4, 2019
A fantastic book for the curious like myself, who wondered how rescue dogs were trsined, and for anyone who loves the misfits in the animal world. Wilma, in her mid sixties was hunkering down for a calm retirement with her husband when she decided inactivity was not in her nature. She had one trained rescue dog, Cody who she worked at the Oklahoma bombing site. The descriptions were of course heartbreaking but she became aware that there was a big shortage of trained rescue dogs. Instead of retiring she decided to so something about this deficit, and decided to train and acquire these dogs.
Enter Ana, Harley and Dusty, three golden retrievers who already had a past. Rejected for various reasons by owners, Wilma takes them on. I fell in love with these pups and their stories. Then three firemen who were trained to become their handlers. This was only the beginning, and eventually many more were trained, and some of her graduates would be called into zero at ground zero.
A book filled with humor, cues and miscues, accomplishments, started by a gutsy, loving woman who decided to not retire, but to get involved. The colored photos are a plus, nice to see the pups and people one is reading about.
Enter Ana, Harley and Dusty, three golden retrievers who already had a past. Rejected for various reasons by owners, Wilma takes them on. I fell in love with these pups and their stories. Then three firemen who were trained to become their handlers. This was only the beginning, and eventually many more were trained, and some of her graduates would be called into zero at ground zero.
A book filled with humor, cues and miscues, accomplishments, started by a gutsy, loving woman who decided to not retire, but to get involved. The colored photos are a plus, nice to see the pups and people one is reading about.
January 19, 2019
In 1995, when news spread of the Oklahoma City bombing, 61-year-old Wilma Melville jumped at the opportunity to help and she had Murphy in tow, her trained and certified disaster-search canine. Murphy could detect human life even when it was trapped away from sight, and he could do this in a variety of environments. “Dogs were faster than any artificial technology at finding live people buried in rubble. With enough trained dogs in enough places, they had the potential to put human lives back on the board when disaster struck.” But upon returning home, Wilma reflected on how few search dogs were available (only 15 at the time). So she vowed to increase that number significantly. Her personal goal was to prepare 168 trained search-and-rescue canines for disaster-search work, one for every victim of the bombing. Thus, the birth of the SDF (National Disaster Search Dog Foundation).
Hero Dogs: How a Pack of Rescues, Rejects, and Strays Became America's Greatest Disaster-Search Partners passionately discusses the SDF while showing the reality of nonprofits. It's also a tribute to all the named and unnamed people that helped along the way. But ultimately, it follows several high-energy dogs who were rescued from shelters, trained and put to work. They are the true characters of this book in more ways than one! You'll learn their names, personalities, tear-jerking histories, and watch them in action during 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, California mudslides, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake where a room full of women were completely buried but found alive thanks to these adorable snouts.
I absolutely loved this book. It was incredibly informative and entertaining, but also emotional due to remembering these horrific events. Overall, I learned so much about working canines in general. There are so many jobs out there for dogs that just can't seem to contain their energy (and behavior) in a family home, and sadly end up surrendered time and again with euthanasia on the horizon. But thanks to one woman's vision, these funny and heartwarming rescues become the rescuers. That's what I call paying it forward! Check it out.
Bonus: Audiobook narrated by Xe Sands!
My favorite quote:
"It was the American spirit in action – when darkness and destruction descends upon us, we turn on a light and get to work."
Hero Dogs: How a Pack of Rescues, Rejects, and Strays Became America's Greatest Disaster-Search Partners passionately discusses the SDF while showing the reality of nonprofits. It's also a tribute to all the named and unnamed people that helped along the way. But ultimately, it follows several high-energy dogs who were rescued from shelters, trained and put to work. They are the true characters of this book in more ways than one! You'll learn their names, personalities, tear-jerking histories, and watch them in action during 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, California mudslides, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake where a room full of women were completely buried but found alive thanks to these adorable snouts.
I absolutely loved this book. It was incredibly informative and entertaining, but also emotional due to remembering these horrific events. Overall, I learned so much about working canines in general. There are so many jobs out there for dogs that just can't seem to contain their energy (and behavior) in a family home, and sadly end up surrendered time and again with euthanasia on the horizon. But thanks to one woman's vision, these funny and heartwarming rescues become the rescuers. That's what I call paying it forward! Check it out.
Bonus: Audiobook narrated by Xe Sands!
My favorite quote:
"It was the American spirit in action – when darkness and destruction descends upon us, we turn on a light and get to work."
May 23, 2019
I love dogs. I think the devotion and love of a dog rescues humans every day -even when the dogs are not "rescue" dogs. Diane S, Jennifer, and Jessica White wrote wonderful reviews for this book.
January 2, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
I absolutely adored this book, the dogs, Wilma and everything her organization stands for and represents. Like many others, I've seen footage of dogs searching for survivors and heard media reports, but to get the full story behind an organization that not only trains these dogs, but uses primarily rescues to get the job done was fantastic. This was the dog story I didn't know I needed until I read it!
If you love dog stories, add this to your to-read for January! What a lovely book :)
I absolutely adored this book, the dogs, Wilma and everything her organization stands for and represents. Like many others, I've seen footage of dogs searching for survivors and heard media reports, but to get the full story behind an organization that not only trains these dogs, but uses primarily rescues to get the job done was fantastic. This was the dog story I didn't know I needed until I read it!
If you love dog stories, add this to your to-read for January! What a lovely book :)
October 30, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc.
What a wonderful tribute to the awesome work of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, human and canine. Unlike a lot of biographies, this book did not focus solely on one individual, but more a cast of characters with the founder, Wilma Melville as the starting point of the story of the SDF. Featured prominently in the cast of characters are the dogs themselves. Each dog was written so well, I felt like I knew them well enough to recognize one just at first sight. What I found most impressive in the book was the incredible will power, personal sacrifice, commitment, and tenacity of all characters (human and canine) in the face of complete disaster and overwhelming odds of success. Having witnessed the disasters from a safe distance on a television set, I was even at this late date crying over the 9-11 rescue efforts, the aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina and others. Being able to almost smell and taste what it must have been like for these folks is due to the writing ability of Paul Lobo. The horrific descriptions were balanced out by the antics of the dogs, so I was able to laugh as well.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc. Thank you Wilma Melville and Paul Lobo and the entirety of the SDF for your passion.
What a wonderful tribute to the awesome work of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, human and canine. Unlike a lot of biographies, this book did not focus solely on one individual, but more a cast of characters with the founder, Wilma Melville as the starting point of the story of the SDF. Featured prominently in the cast of characters are the dogs themselves. Each dog was written so well, I felt like I knew them well enough to recognize one just at first sight. What I found most impressive in the book was the incredible will power, personal sacrifice, commitment, and tenacity of all characters (human and canine) in the face of complete disaster and overwhelming odds of success. Having witnessed the disasters from a safe distance on a television set, I was even at this late date crying over the 9-11 rescue efforts, the aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina and others. Being able to almost smell and taste what it must have been like for these folks is due to the writing ability of Paul Lobo. The horrific descriptions were balanced out by the antics of the dogs, so I was able to laugh as well.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc. Thank you Wilma Melville and Paul Lobo and the entirety of the SDF for your passion.
November 8, 2022
Definitely a fun and good read. While I was working my way with effort through 'The Story of Edgar Sawtelle' I picked up Hero Dogs for a break and then didn't want to put it down.
Hero Dogs is a good story. Has enough of the training aspects that I love to hear about. Especially love to hear about the obstacle courses they build and wish there were more pictures, but I bet I can find them online. In addition to books on SAR with dogs, it also has the rescue angle, so it combines two of my favorite topics for dogs.
Interesting to hear about the Oklahoma bombing, 911, Katrina, Rita, and then Haiti again. Those were a big splash in the world which we hopefully won't forget and have learned from. The pictures in the book of these really let you know what it looked like.
This book is also the story of the vision of the founder, Wilma Melville, who from her dedication created the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF). Definitely an organization we should all support.
As far as how this book compares with others on the SAR topic, Caroline Hebard & Her Search-And-Rescue Dogs” by Hank Whittemore is still my favorite. For this review, won't rank this book in order beyond that , but just recommend all the books on the topic from my Goodreads list that I rate highly. I especially like how there are books on the standard search and rescue of people lost in the woods, avalanche dogs, cadaver dogs, and this one focused on dogs that search large scale disaster rubble. Great to hear each of the different perspectives, and from all you can learn things that can help with understanding training in any dog.
Hero Dogs is a good story. Has enough of the training aspects that I love to hear about. Especially love to hear about the obstacle courses they build and wish there were more pictures, but I bet I can find them online. In addition to books on SAR with dogs, it also has the rescue angle, so it combines two of my favorite topics for dogs.
Interesting to hear about the Oklahoma bombing, 911, Katrina, Rita, and then Haiti again. Those were a big splash in the world which we hopefully won't forget and have learned from. The pictures in the book of these really let you know what it looked like.
This book is also the story of the vision of the founder, Wilma Melville, who from her dedication created the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF). Definitely an organization we should all support.
As far as how this book compares with others on the SAR topic, Caroline Hebard & Her Search-And-Rescue Dogs” by Hank Whittemore is still my favorite. For this review, won't rank this book in order beyond that , but just recommend all the books on the topic from my Goodreads list that I rate highly. I especially like how there are books on the standard search and rescue of people lost in the woods, avalanche dogs, cadaver dogs, and this one focused on dogs that search large scale disaster rubble. Great to hear each of the different perspectives, and from all you can learn things that can help with understanding training in any dog.
May 18, 2019
Heart warming account of making a problem into a solution. What do you do with a bunch of high energy dogs? Train them to find trapped humans, that's what. Wilma rescues dogs from shelters and trains them. Very inspiring.
February 22, 2019
Wow.
Just wow.
Hero Dogs: How a Pack of Rescues, Rejects, and Strays Became America's Greatest Disaster-Search Partners. I mean the title tells you exactly what the book is going to be about but I am amazed by the work these dogs and their handlers put in. I feel it necessary to put in a disclaimer here; this book covers a wide variety of traumatic events including: the Oklahoma City Bombing, 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and the 2010 Haiti Earthquake.
Wilma Melville was freshly retired, in her 60's, and walking the aftermath of the Oklahoma City Bombing with her search dog, Murphy. The events that took place shocked her to her very core. That was when she had the idea to start the Search Dog Foundation (SDF). Her goal was to find shelter dogs and give them another chance at life, a life as a working dog. The idea was to find, train, certify, and eventually deploy at least 168 search dog teams; one team for each of the people killed in the bombing.
But Wilma didn't want this story to be about her.
She wanted it to be about Murphy, Ana, Dusty, Harley (her original dogs), along with the many other success stories who soon followed. These dogs worked their asses off. They were finally living up to their full potential and living the life they were meant to have. They would never spend another day in a shelter, abusive home, or wondering the streets. They instead would be recognized as heroes throughout the world. These dogs were trained to find living victims who were trapped in the rubbish of disasters. They spent countless hours learning hand signals and whistle blows from their handlers. They learned to bark alert when they found someone. They learned how to save people the way SDF saved them.
I love reading dog books, especially working dog books.
It's amazing what these animals are capable of and the amount of trust we put into them. In these tragic events, the dogs provided a service that would not have been possible for a human to do. But beyond that, they were a bright spot in these firefighters lives. They gave their all right there with men and women doing everything in their power to save a life.
Highly recommend this book to all dog lovers!!
Huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a review copy!
Even bigger thanks to Wilma Melville for founding SDF and to Paul Lobo for writing her story!!
This review and reviews for other working dog books can be found at A Reader's Diary!
Just wow.
Hero Dogs: How a Pack of Rescues, Rejects, and Strays Became America's Greatest Disaster-Search Partners. I mean the title tells you exactly what the book is going to be about but I am amazed by the work these dogs and their handlers put in. I feel it necessary to put in a disclaimer here; this book covers a wide variety of traumatic events including: the Oklahoma City Bombing, 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and the 2010 Haiti Earthquake.
Wilma Melville was freshly retired, in her 60's, and walking the aftermath of the Oklahoma City Bombing with her search dog, Murphy. The events that took place shocked her to her very core. That was when she had the idea to start the Search Dog Foundation (SDF). Her goal was to find shelter dogs and give them another chance at life, a life as a working dog. The idea was to find, train, certify, and eventually deploy at least 168 search dog teams; one team for each of the people killed in the bombing.
But Wilma didn't want this story to be about her.
She wanted it to be about Murphy, Ana, Dusty, Harley (her original dogs), along with the many other success stories who soon followed. These dogs worked their asses off. They were finally living up to their full potential and living the life they were meant to have. They would never spend another day in a shelter, abusive home, or wondering the streets. They instead would be recognized as heroes throughout the world. These dogs were trained to find living victims who were trapped in the rubbish of disasters. They spent countless hours learning hand signals and whistle blows from their handlers. They learned to bark alert when they found someone. They learned how to save people the way SDF saved them.
I love reading dog books, especially working dog books.
It's amazing what these animals are capable of and the amount of trust we put into them. In these tragic events, the dogs provided a service that would not have been possible for a human to do. But beyond that, they were a bright spot in these firefighters lives. They gave their all right there with men and women doing everything in their power to save a life.
Highly recommend this book to all dog lovers!!
Huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a review copy!
Even bigger thanks to Wilma Melville for founding SDF and to Paul Lobo for writing her story!!
This review and reviews for other working dog books can be found at A Reader's Diary!
September 13, 2024
Wonderful story of the vision, founding and execution of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, by the founder herself, Wilma Melville. (Paul Lobo is her co-author)
As you'll find by reading the cover, after volunteering in the cleanup of the bombing at Oklahoma City, Ms. Melville made a vow to help 168 dogs receive search-and-rescue training in her lifetime—one for every Oklahoma City victim. The dogs that were recruited and trained were mostly rejected shelter dogs, all of those that were too smart, driven and active to be adopted as family dogs. In fact, mostly it was the most troublesome that--with a lot of patient training--became the best search dogs.
This is her story and it's fascinating from beginning to end. And not over yet! She's like in her late 80s or early 90s and still kicking.
As you'll find by reading the cover, after volunteering in the cleanup of the bombing at Oklahoma City, Ms. Melville made a vow to help 168 dogs receive search-and-rescue training in her lifetime—one for every Oklahoma City victim. The dogs that were recruited and trained were mostly rejected shelter dogs, all of those that were too smart, driven and active to be adopted as family dogs. In fact, mostly it was the most troublesome that--with a lot of patient training--became the best search dogs.
This is her story and it's fascinating from beginning to end. And not over yet! She's like in her late 80s or early 90s and still kicking.
January 7, 2019
When Wilma Melville established the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation she had a goal. She wanted to help train dogs for Urban Search and Rescue operations. But she wanted to do it more effectively and efficiently than was currently being done. At the time, most of the organizations currently doing such training weren't really interested in working with her as they thought they knew what they were doing, even though the results said otherwise. Despite such opposition, Wilma was determined and with the help of a few volunteers and a talented dog trainer, she adopted her first three dogs, Ana, Dusty, and Harley. In less than a year, these dogs that had been rejected became skilled search dogs with the help of their firefighter handlers. They would go on to prove it after 9/11. As the years went by other rescued dogs were trained and sent on missions. The SDF (Search Dog Foundation) had found a formula that worked and despite the challenges that inevitably arose successfully trained over 200 dogs and handlers for USAR. Lobo tells the tale through the eyes of Wilma based on many hours of interviews and interactions giving the story an immediacy that is quite compelling. The stories of the dogs and their handlers are fascinating and amazing. Reading about the searches said dogs and handlers conducted related to 9/11, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the Haitian earthquake was eye-opening. It's amazing to me the sacrifices and immense effort these firefighters and dogs made and continue to make to find even one survivor. The value found in these seemingly worthless dogs is a testament to Wilma's determination and willingness to look beyond the obvious.
January 11, 2024
Fascinating, emotional, inspiring and heartwarming book. Thank goodness for Wilma and all the people involved in not only training these amazing dogs, but in going out in search of all the victims.
June 7, 2024
I admit that I only got this book out of the library because I had to fill in the animal book spot on my bingo card for the summer adult reading program. Glad I did. Paul Lobo did a seamless job of blending the voice of Wilma Melville, SDF founder (National Disaster Search Dog Foundation) with all his research and interviews. The writing matched the stellar bravery and determination of Wilma and her team of dog handlers, trainers, firefighters, staff, and "unadoptable" dogs. She began the foundation in the aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City / Timothy McVeigh bombing, vowing to eventually get 168 dogs trained and on the search for live bodies in disaster areas--the same number as the dead in the bombed Oklahoma site. Working with very little money or staff, she had a few dogs and people ready by the time of 9/11. Here is where Lobo's writing became gripping. His descriptions and fast-paced narrative made the event the harrowing, riveting, and horrifying event it actually was. I felt like I was there watching man and dog atop sheered steel girders and disappearing down smoking holes.
The event led to an amazing uptick in foundation donations so that the 168 dogs plus became a reality. Lives were rescued by some of the dogs in a Haiti earthquake some years later. The foundation's dogs have been in countless disasters, from natural disasters to terrorist bombings. Stories of the dogs themselves were heartbreaking and inspiring, from a dog abandoned and tied to a railroad track to one who had had over seven homes because he was just too feisty and full of energy. Even if you're not a dog lover, it's still a great read.
The event led to an amazing uptick in foundation donations so that the 168 dogs plus became a reality. Lives were rescued by some of the dogs in a Haiti earthquake some years later. The foundation's dogs have been in countless disasters, from natural disasters to terrorist bombings. Stories of the dogs themselves were heartbreaking and inspiring, from a dog abandoned and tied to a railroad track to one who had had over seven homes because he was just too feisty and full of energy. Even if you're not a dog lover, it's still a great read.
December 29, 2022
First, any book about dogs pretty much guarantees a great rating. Dogs and cats are far better than humans and any stories about them are well received in my reading.
Hero Dogs goes further. Dogs who, basically, live on the Island of Misfit Toys are saved from either pound life, constant transfer from one home to another or euthanasia and used as search and rescue dogs. Melville shows the great personalities of the varying dogs in the rescue program and how they are trained and suited with handlers.
The dogs are first used in searching rubble in the aftermath of the 9-11 Twin Towers collapses; the writing is tight and harrowing in this section with details of tight squeezes through debris, horrors of finding remains and the exhaustion both dogs and handlers endure.
There are also two sections on rescue missions after Hurricane Katrina and an earthquake in Haiti. Not to be a spoiler, but I was disappointed at first that the dogs didn't find survivors in New York or New Orleans. However, the success in Haiti was moving.
In addition to showing the training involved and the work at sites, Melville also writes of the political mayhem that popped up with her training center and the power struggle with some. Even in the world of saving people, there's greed and power hungry folks.
This is a fun book. It has dogs! And it shows the birth and success of the dog rescue program that began after the Oklahoma City federal building bombing.
Hero Dogs goes further. Dogs who, basically, live on the Island of Misfit Toys are saved from either pound life, constant transfer from one home to another or euthanasia and used as search and rescue dogs. Melville shows the great personalities of the varying dogs in the rescue program and how they are trained and suited with handlers.
The dogs are first used in searching rubble in the aftermath of the 9-11 Twin Towers collapses; the writing is tight and harrowing in this section with details of tight squeezes through debris, horrors of finding remains and the exhaustion both dogs and handlers endure.
There are also two sections on rescue missions after Hurricane Katrina and an earthquake in Haiti. Not to be a spoiler, but I was disappointed at first that the dogs didn't find survivors in New York or New Orleans. However, the success in Haiti was moving.
In addition to showing the training involved and the work at sites, Melville also writes of the political mayhem that popped up with her training center and the power struggle with some. Even in the world of saving people, there's greed and power hungry folks.
This is a fun book. It has dogs! And it shows the birth and success of the dog rescue program that began after the Oklahoma City federal building bombing.
January 7, 2019
Tragedy can crush a spirit or it can cause great people to become even more so. I'm a sucker for a great animal story and who doesn't love the underdog (literally) story? This book brought to life the true dedication and iron will of WIlma Melville who, after seeing the need for more well-trained search dogs following the Oklahoma City bombing, decided there was a better way to train great dogs, faster, all while saving unwanted dogs from a tragic end. In founding the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF), her initial goal was to train one dog for every life lost in Oklahoma City that day (168). This book shares her story along with the stories of the amazing rescued-turned-rescuer dogs and a bit about some of the handlers as well. Well-written with a lot of heart, Hero Dogs is a great fit for any dog lover!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 21, 2019
After participating in the Oklahoma City bombing rescue effort, Wilma Melville was so moved that she devoted her life to developing a crack-shot team of search and rescue dogs. Her life’s work is the subject of the book Hero Dogs.
Before beginning this book, I had no idea how complex was the world of search and rescue dogs. Finding that perfect dog that happily combines all requirements–strength, agility, dedication, drive, scent skills, and emotional connection–was the first, and perhaps, most difficult step. Wilma Melville set herself the daunting task of finding not only that perfect dog but also 168 hero dogs, one for every fatality in Oklahoma City.
The monumental scope of the task surprised me. I thought you’d just grab some smart, nice dogs and train ’em. Wrong.
First, the search and rescue organizations of the time were not up to the task. Who knew search dog organizations were plagued with in-fighting and bad-mouthing? Melville formed her own organization and completely revamped the training and selection of both dogs and handlers. One factoid I found fascinating is that dogs lack natural proprioception. Never heard of it? I hadn’t either. Proprioception is the knowledge of the location of your limbs. (Human rock climbers are good at proprioception, for instance.) The surfaces of disaster sites that dogs must navigate are so precarious–twisted I beams, shifting debris piles, falling objects–that the dogs had to acquire that non-innate skill so that they could know where each limb was at all times.
What I mostly loved about this story is Melville’s interest in rejected dogs. Her hero dogs were misfits, rejected even by their shelters, often hours away from being killed. What a happy accident that the very dogs unsuited for the structured existence of family life were perfect for rescue work. And even dogs who failed Melville’s search and rescue certification process found a purpose. I especially got a kick out of Zorro who stopped to smell the roses. Literally. Not a workable trait when minutes count in the search for life, but even Zorro found a home. He works in a botanical research facility where he detects threatened flora and fauna.
The message I took from this book, from the examples of rejected dogs, is that we all have a purpose. We just have to find it. Melville and her dogs certainly found theirs.
I recommend Hero Dogs to dog lovers, to people interested in the complex behind-the-scenes world of rescue dogs and handlers. Those who love reading novels by Robert Crais (dog: Maggie), Barbara Nickless (dog: Clyde), and Margaret Mizushima (dog: Robo) will appreciate the fictional worlds of search and rescue dogs even more after reading Hero Dogs. I know I do.
I received a copy of Hero Dogs from the publisher via Netgalley.
Before beginning this book, I had no idea how complex was the world of search and rescue dogs. Finding that perfect dog that happily combines all requirements–strength, agility, dedication, drive, scent skills, and emotional connection–was the first, and perhaps, most difficult step. Wilma Melville set herself the daunting task of finding not only that perfect dog but also 168 hero dogs, one for every fatality in Oklahoma City.
The monumental scope of the task surprised me. I thought you’d just grab some smart, nice dogs and train ’em. Wrong.
First, the search and rescue organizations of the time were not up to the task. Who knew search dog organizations were plagued with in-fighting and bad-mouthing? Melville formed her own organization and completely revamped the training and selection of both dogs and handlers. One factoid I found fascinating is that dogs lack natural proprioception. Never heard of it? I hadn’t either. Proprioception is the knowledge of the location of your limbs. (Human rock climbers are good at proprioception, for instance.) The surfaces of disaster sites that dogs must navigate are so precarious–twisted I beams, shifting debris piles, falling objects–that the dogs had to acquire that non-innate skill so that they could know where each limb was at all times.
What I mostly loved about this story is Melville’s interest in rejected dogs. Her hero dogs were misfits, rejected even by their shelters, often hours away from being killed. What a happy accident that the very dogs unsuited for the structured existence of family life were perfect for rescue work. And even dogs who failed Melville’s search and rescue certification process found a purpose. I especially got a kick out of Zorro who stopped to smell the roses. Literally. Not a workable trait when minutes count in the search for life, but even Zorro found a home. He works in a botanical research facility where he detects threatened flora and fauna.
The message I took from this book, from the examples of rejected dogs, is that we all have a purpose. We just have to find it. Melville and her dogs certainly found theirs.
I recommend Hero Dogs to dog lovers, to people interested in the complex behind-the-scenes world of rescue dogs and handlers. Those who love reading novels by Robert Crais (dog: Maggie), Barbara Nickless (dog: Clyde), and Margaret Mizushima (dog: Robo) will appreciate the fictional worlds of search and rescue dogs even more after reading Hero Dogs. I know I do.
I received a copy of Hero Dogs from the publisher via Netgalley.
January 10, 2024
Excellent book for anyone who’s ever been interested in how Search and Rescue dogs are trained and deployed. While searches after the Oklahoma City bombing, the terrorist attacks of the World Trade Center, Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti are covered, this book really focuses on the dogs themselves— their pasts, challenges and personalities. We get insight into the creation of the SDF, some of the dogs and their handlers. I found this book to be fascinating. Due to its very nature, some parts of this book are highly emotional but I found it well worth reading. The audiobook is nicely narrated.
January 3, 2019
Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I Loved this book!!! Who can resist a good book that one involves dogs and two is about a women who wants to revise the Search dog training process to make it faster with better trained dogs and handlers to help rescue as many people as possible. Her concept of no bad dogs but instead dogs that haven't found their true purpose is remarkable. Dogs are not always suited to be the family pet but with direction and training can be transformed into dogs with valuable job potential. Her stories of dogs rescued from shelters and given lives with meaning is heartwarming and even if they turned out not to be appropriate search dogs, she committed to finding them forever homes.
This is a must read for all animal lovers or anyone that is interested in learning more about the life and training of search and rescue dogs.
I Loved this book!!! Who can resist a good book that one involves dogs and two is about a women who wants to revise the Search dog training process to make it faster with better trained dogs and handlers to help rescue as many people as possible. Her concept of no bad dogs but instead dogs that haven't found their true purpose is remarkable. Dogs are not always suited to be the family pet but with direction and training can be transformed into dogs with valuable job potential. Her stories of dogs rescued from shelters and given lives with meaning is heartwarming and even if they turned out not to be appropriate search dogs, she committed to finding them forever homes.
This is a must read for all animal lovers or anyone that is interested in learning more about the life and training of search and rescue dogs.
December 18, 2020
Interesting idea to convert unadoptable rescue dogs to the task of becoming rescuers themselves. I struggled with a few inconsistencies, though, one being that search dogs moved from being rescue dogs from being breeder dogs, the offspring of the founder's own dog. The other was that normal search partners for the dogs were eschewed for firefighters, which was theoretically a strategic move, but seemed callous. But lives were saved, both dog and human, so it's a nice story.
The print version is much better than the audiobook version, because the narrator does the trembling voice/edge-of-tears thing the WHOLE TIME. Gag me.
The print version is much better than the audiobook version, because the narrator does the trembling voice/edge-of-tears thing the WHOLE TIME. Gag me.
May 26, 2019
I was totally moved by this story of Wilma Melville, who began the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation after seeing the need for better trained search and rescue dogs after the Oklahoma City bombing. She chooses dogs needing rescue themselves and builds a crackerjack team. A must-read for every animal lover! Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine. Pub Date 08 Jan 2019. #HeroDogs #NetGalley
October 9, 2019
Turning shelter dogs into search and rescue canines - what an awesome idea! Wilma Melville started her organization, the Search Dog Foundation, only a few years before 9/11 and several of the trained dogs were used in the aftermath. SDF is still going strong today and has a proud history of helping with many disaster responses in America as well as internationally, saving lives along the way. I loved this book!
May 8, 2019
This is an inspiring story of how one woman with a vision trained rescue dogs to become world class heroes. With the help of others who believed in her ideas, volunteers and donations, her foundation has continued to do great things.
July 14, 2021
All the feels .
March 14, 2022
I enjoyed this book about how Wilma turned her dream into a foundation for search and rescue dogs. The stories of Wilma, the handlers and of course the dogs were interesting and inspiring.
February 3, 2019
This book is for dog-lovers and any reader who loves a story where the underdog comes out on top. The authors tells the story of how shelter dogs that were abandoned, abused and removed from homes, picked up as strays, or given up for other reasons found a new life with the SDF. The book begins by underscoring the need for qualified search dogs and the birth of the SDF. Melville chronicles the early years and the difficulties that come with setting up a nonprofit organization. She then tells stories about finding each of the dogs, their successes and failures during training and action stories - where the dogs and handlers carried out dangerous missions in an effort to recover living humans. She ends the novel with a nod towards the future - how far the organization has come and what’s next for the SDF. I am in awe of Melville and all the people that were involved with every aspect of the SDF. It’s early in the year but I think this book will be my favorite read of 2019 and certainly one of my favorite books of all time. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator for the audiobook is amazing. She truly captures the joys as well as the heartbreaks with her inflection and I found myself on more than one occasion moved to tears. I checked this book out from my local library but this is a book that I will add to my personal collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2018
Hero Dogs was hard to put down. I’m a dog lover and trainer and reading the story of these rescued and rejected dogs that turned into disaster search partners was enlightening, exciting, and heart wrenching. Some of these dogs had such a rough start to their lives. It was wonderful reading how their training evolved along with partnering and learning how to be a search and rescue team.
The story is told from Wilma’s perspective and gives us the beginning of her partnership with her own dog, Murphy and the frustration she felt from other SAR handlers and SAR organizations. After working the Oklahoma City bombing, she ultimately vows to train 168 dog and handler teams for each victim. She decides to use rescue dogs for her program. The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, SDF, was then created.
I loved the stories of the different dogs and their individual personalities and quirks. The pairing of the dogs with their human partners was unique and very appropriate. Wilma doesn’t sugar coat the trials of training these dogs and handlers. She also doesn’t let us think that every dog was perfect for disaster search. Some didn’t make the cut, but ended up in a working environment that fit their specific skills. A promise she made at the beginning was that none of these dogs would ever see a shelter again even if they couldn’t become a part of the program. Along the way, she meets and becomes friends with many people that she freely acknowledges as being a part of the whole and not just one person’s goal. It took many people and dogs to get the SDF where it is today. The search and rescue community is definitely better for having her work so hard to have her dream become a reality. Disaster victims couldn’t want a better team on their side than the SDF dog and handler teams.
It was hard to put this book down. It flowed very easily from page to page. If you know nothing, or very little about search and rescue this book will be interesting. If you have knowledge of SAR, you’ll enjoy reading about the dogs, training and handlers. I enjoyed reading this and would highly recommend it. I received a free e-copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told from Wilma’s perspective and gives us the beginning of her partnership with her own dog, Murphy and the frustration she felt from other SAR handlers and SAR organizations. After working the Oklahoma City bombing, she ultimately vows to train 168 dog and handler teams for each victim. She decides to use rescue dogs for her program. The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, SDF, was then created.
I loved the stories of the different dogs and their individual personalities and quirks. The pairing of the dogs with their human partners was unique and very appropriate. Wilma doesn’t sugar coat the trials of training these dogs and handlers. She also doesn’t let us think that every dog was perfect for disaster search. Some didn’t make the cut, but ended up in a working environment that fit their specific skills. A promise she made at the beginning was that none of these dogs would ever see a shelter again even if they couldn’t become a part of the program. Along the way, she meets and becomes friends with many people that she freely acknowledges as being a part of the whole and not just one person’s goal. It took many people and dogs to get the SDF where it is today. The search and rescue community is definitely better for having her work so hard to have her dream become a reality. Disaster victims couldn’t want a better team on their side than the SDF dog and handler teams.
It was hard to put this book down. It flowed very easily from page to page. If you know nothing, or very little about search and rescue this book will be interesting. If you have knowledge of SAR, you’ll enjoy reading about the dogs, training and handlers. I enjoyed reading this and would highly recommend it. I received a free e-copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2019
Great read - especially for dog lovers.
A fitting title for a great, easy and fast read. If you love dogs and unsung heroes - this book is for you. To the remarkable work of Wilma Melville, Pluis Davern, the handlers, support staff, volunteers, and of course the dogs- your story is amazing and your contributions an inspiration. This story takes you from the humble beginnings and needs revealed in the wake of a national tragedy to the vision of a woman whose determination and drive would be eclipsed only by the dogs she would recruit for a worthy cause. It details the journey and realization of that vision, as well as the incredible life-changing results achieved.
A fitting title for a great, easy and fast read. If you love dogs and unsung heroes - this book is for you. To the remarkable work of Wilma Melville, Pluis Davern, the handlers, support staff, volunteers, and of course the dogs- your story is amazing and your contributions an inspiration. This story takes you from the humble beginnings and needs revealed in the wake of a national tragedy to the vision of a woman whose determination and drive would be eclipsed only by the dogs she would recruit for a worthy cause. It details the journey and realization of that vision, as well as the incredible life-changing results achieved.
July 10, 2019
I liked this, but I think it would have been better if Wilma had written the entire book about herself. Her co-author said that she didn't want the book to be about HER, but I think it could have been so much better with all her insights. Heck, I thought each of the individual dogs should have a book.
I'm so glad that they used shelter dogs and was thrilled for all the ones who had such a rough start in life. Good book, GREAT PHOTOS! Just not enough of them...
I'm so glad that they used shelter dogs and was thrilled for all the ones who had such a rough start in life. Good book, GREAT PHOTOS! Just not enough of them...
March 20, 2019
This could(and should) really be two books: one about training rescue dogs, and the other their use in the aftermath of 9/11. Don’t quite understand Paul Lobo’s contribution, but Mellville could have used a little help tweaking the text.
August 30, 2021
Amazing reading about these dogs nobody wanted being turned into search and rescue dogs!
April 26, 2020
When disaster strikes, there is an elite team of rescuers who will prowl the largest rubble piles, scour demolished buildings and comb flooded cities. Searching for survivors and those lost to man-made or natural disasters; when all hope seems lost, it takes a special breed of heroes to be a beacon of light in the darkness. Meet America’s valiant Urban Search & Rescue Dogs. Comprised of a motley assortment of high energy working breeds, search and rescue dogs and their stalwart handlers are the tip-of-the spear whether it’s a terrorist attack or major disaster. That’s the premise behind the inspiring and emotionally-raw book “Hero Dogs: How a Pack of Rescues, Rejects, and Strays Became America’s Greatest Disaster-Search Partners.” Written by renowned Search & Rescue Dog guru Wilma Melville of the Search Dog Foundation and co-authored by Paul Lobo, “Hero Dogs” chronicles the incredible true story of how one brave and fiercely-determined woman embarked on an odyssey that would change her life and history forever.
The story begins interestingly enough at a disaster site in 1995. The place, Oklahoma City. In the wake of one of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil, Wilma Melville and her Disaster Search Dog Murphy are hard at work combing the rubble of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Their mission is righteously straight forward but incredibly daunting: find any live victims buried alive under six stories of concrete, pulverized steel, and exposed rebar. After hours of searching, one man catches Wilma’s eye standing off to the side holding a photo of a loved one in his hands. “Have you found her yet?” He would ask repeatedly day after day; the answer sadly would be “No.” That is the catalyst for a personal crusade that would consume Wilma Melville’s life for the next ten years as the seeds for a robust, superbly-trained and versatile Disaster Search Dog response team are laid.
Ready to respond at a moment’s notice to a myriad of natural disasters and terrorist attacks, the California-based Search Dog Foundation (SDF) a non-profit organization that relies solely on generous donations. The SDF spearheads training and procurement of dogs to be partnered with specially-selected handlers from various fire departments across the state of California. Ironically, the main go-to place for promising canine candidates are shelters and local pounds where breeds of all kinds are screened for selection into an elite fraternity of loyal and dependable search and rescue specialists. Ready and willing to go anywhere at anytime across America or even halfway around the world to bring trapped survivors back from the brink of certain death.
Even though, the training process to join this elite unit is arduous and unyielding, it isn’t long before very green canine teams are put to the ultimate test. Between the fall of 2001 and the summer of 2005, America’s elite Urban Search & Rescue teams would mobilize for a series of unforgettable national tragedies: the September 11th 2001 terror attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the 2005 calamities of Hurricanes: Katrina and Rita. The SDF would be working hand-in-hand with firefighters and other gallant rescuers to turn the tide in what would be their darkest and finest hours. Also highlighted, is the foundation’s response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti’s Port-au-Prince and the amazing rescue of three trapped women buried in their house who were found alive by Wilma’s expertly-trained search dogs.
Having seen Wilma interviewed for a segment on Animal Planet in 1997 and participated in a USAR K-9 Workshop at College Station, Texas in 2007, getting to know the caliber of men and women who do this crucial work, I knew I had to get this book, and after listening to it on Audible, I’ve gained a new found respect for those in the USAR K-9 community. “Hero Dogs” is an amazing tale of courage, sacrifice and humanity forged by the love and devotion of America’s Search and Rescue Dogs.
The story begins interestingly enough at a disaster site in 1995. The place, Oklahoma City. In the wake of one of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil, Wilma Melville and her Disaster Search Dog Murphy are hard at work combing the rubble of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Their mission is righteously straight forward but incredibly daunting: find any live victims buried alive under six stories of concrete, pulverized steel, and exposed rebar. After hours of searching, one man catches Wilma’s eye standing off to the side holding a photo of a loved one in his hands. “Have you found her yet?” He would ask repeatedly day after day; the answer sadly would be “No.” That is the catalyst for a personal crusade that would consume Wilma Melville’s life for the next ten years as the seeds for a robust, superbly-trained and versatile Disaster Search Dog response team are laid.
Ready to respond at a moment’s notice to a myriad of natural disasters and terrorist attacks, the California-based Search Dog Foundation (SDF) a non-profit organization that relies solely on generous donations. The SDF spearheads training and procurement of dogs to be partnered with specially-selected handlers from various fire departments across the state of California. Ironically, the main go-to place for promising canine candidates are shelters and local pounds where breeds of all kinds are screened for selection into an elite fraternity of loyal and dependable search and rescue specialists. Ready and willing to go anywhere at anytime across America or even halfway around the world to bring trapped survivors back from the brink of certain death.
Even though, the training process to join this elite unit is arduous and unyielding, it isn’t long before very green canine teams are put to the ultimate test. Between the fall of 2001 and the summer of 2005, America’s elite Urban Search & Rescue teams would mobilize for a series of unforgettable national tragedies: the September 11th 2001 terror attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the 2005 calamities of Hurricanes: Katrina and Rita. The SDF would be working hand-in-hand with firefighters and other gallant rescuers to turn the tide in what would be their darkest and finest hours. Also highlighted, is the foundation’s response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti’s Port-au-Prince and the amazing rescue of three trapped women buried in their house who were found alive by Wilma’s expertly-trained search dogs.
Having seen Wilma interviewed for a segment on Animal Planet in 1997 and participated in a USAR K-9 Workshop at College Station, Texas in 2007, getting to know the caliber of men and women who do this crucial work, I knew I had to get this book, and after listening to it on Audible, I’ve gained a new found respect for those in the USAR K-9 community. “Hero Dogs” is an amazing tale of courage, sacrifice and humanity forged by the love and devotion of America’s Search and Rescue Dogs.
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