The World Trade Center's Heroic Rescue Dogs

NEW YORK CITY — Not enough can be said about the heroic individuals, both bipeds and quadrupeds, who lend their abilities to the security and rescue efforts underway in the wake of September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on America. 

Search and Rescue Dogs Killed: 0Police Dogs Killed in WTC: 1Companion animals killed in WTC: 2

With that said, here are a few pictures worth a few thousand words:

Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Collies, Rottweilers and scores of mutts provide the backbone of the search-and-rescue (SAR) operations at the World Trade Center wreckage. (Photo: Sep 15, 2001, Andrea Booher / FEMA)

A police dog and her handler weave through the debris where the WTC south tower once stood.  Rescue dogs like this one are trained to detect traces of sweat and other musky odors exuded by the body during stress.  They are also able to distinguish between the living and the dead. (Photo: Sep 13, 2001, AP / Stephen Chernin)

One dog-tired rescue doggets a drink of water during a rest break from searching through the rubble.  This Golden Retriever, "Bear", was one of the first dogs to arrive on the scene and get right to work.  A dedicated canine medical camp stands ready to treat for injuries and exhaustion.  Canine ambulances are also on hand. (Photo: Sep 13, 2001, Reuters / Pool / Beth Kaiser) Bear", age 12 (Partner: Capt. Scott Shields) Marine Safety Services. Bear worked at “the pile” for 3 months

A rescue dog is transportedout of the debris of the World Trade Center. (Photo: Sep 15, 2001, US Navy / Preston Keres

Let sleeping dogs lie(and dog-handlers, too);they certainly deserve it.(Photo: Sep 18, 2001, Reuters)

Grim faces and sad tails show the frustration—and the unshaken resolve—of rescuers from the Maryland Task Force Rescue Team on lunch break.  Handlers say that dogs trained to find survivors feel as if it's their fault for not being able to find anyone.  No survivors have been located since last Wednesday when canine search teams helped locate five injured people. (Photo: Sep 11, 2001, REUTERS / Mike Theiler)

John Patrick and "Guese" take a minuteto reflect inside St. Paul's Episcopal Chapel. (Photo: Sep 19, 2001 AP / Kathy Willens)

"Kinsay" of the Texas Task Force One has an injured paw treated—while dishing out her own dose of fuzz-therapy to weary crews. (Photo: Sep 20, 2001, Mike Rieger / FEMA

"Worf" located the bodies of two missing firefighters on the first day.   Overwhelmed, he lay down and curled up on the spot.  The dog began shedding profusely, quit eating and refused to play with other dogs.  His partner Mike Owens made the decision to retire the 12-year-old German Shepherd from search-and-rescue duty permanently.  They are now back at home in Monroe, Ohio, where the entire town takes turns petting and playing with Worf. (Photo: (Michael Snyder / Cincinati Enquirer)

"He kind of withdrew from everything.  There was so much death there, it was emotional for the dogs."— Mike Owens, Southwestern Ohio K-9 Search and Rescue, speaking about his partner Worf

One-year-old "Porkchop" gets some kind reassurance from partner Erick Robertson of Oakhurst, California.  SAR dogs—especially those trained to find living people—feel increased stress and depression as time passes with no survivors found. (Photo: Sep 19, 2001, AP / Suzanne Plunkett)

It has become a common morale-booster for rescuers to stage mock "finds", so that the dogs can feel successful.  "Woody" and his partner Terry Trepanier of the Ohio Task Force Unit (above) are refreshed and ready for another go.(Photo: Sep 18, 2001, Michael Rieger/ FEMA News)

Shhhhh...(Photo: Sep 15, 2001, AP / U.S. Navy, P. Keres)

Ohio Task Force One's Gary Flynn and his partner Tascha prepare for another shift. (Photo: Sep 18, 2001, Michael Rieger / FEMA)

Just the sight of a dog is enough to lift the heaviest heart, whether the dog knows it or not.  At the moment, this one's probably just dreaming about a hot blueberry muffin. (Photo: Sep 23, 2001, Andrea Booher / FEMA)

Cowboy", a FEMA-certified Border Collie, is one of over 350 devoted dogs who lent their superhuman senses to the search and rescue operations.  Although many dogs like Cowboy are not ready to call off the search, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and on-site veterinarians agree that SAR dogs are being exposed to hazards and respiratory conditions that are unwarranted, now that the "rescue" effort has been downgraded to "recovery". (Photo: Sep 21, 2001, AP / Alan Diaz)

A time to heal. Search dog "Kermit" is checked out by Dr. Kim Rosenthal (right) at a "Doggy M*A*S*H" treatment center while Kermit's partner, firefighter Merlin Durhman (left), watches. (Photo: Vince Maggiora / The SF Chronicle

At a Sirius memorial ceremonyat Liberty State Park (Jersey City) on April 24, 2002, Officer David Lim held his composure but cracked momentarily when he was handed Sirius's old bowl which was found at the site.  He said:"I'm not quite the rock I thought I would be. To many other people, this would just be a water bowl, but this is something I'll cherish for the rest of my life."

"I gave my life so that you may save others."

Lynne Engelbert & "Lucy", age 10½California Task Force 4 (Oakland, CA).energy!  Lucy was able to locate numerous remains and help to bring closure for several families.  The rubble site shot was on the Marriott hotel site where Lucy located the remains of a firefighter. 

Julie Noyes & "Hoke"Colorado Task Force 1 (Lakewood, CO).No comment necessary; Hoke's eyes say it all. (Photo: Andrea Booher / FEMA)

Kent Olson & "Thunder", age 5Washington Task Force 1 (Puget Sound, WA).Kent Olson and his Golden Retriever partner "Thunder" were among the first to arrive at the World Trade Center disaster when hope still existed that there were survivors beneath the wreckage.  Kent & Thunder

An unidentified FEMA team makes its way across a twisted landscape on Sep. 21, 2001.  Behind them, what little remains of the WTC South Tower is charred beyond belief. (Photo: Andrea Booher /  FEMA)

Janet Linker & "Ricky", age 3Washington Task Force 1 (Puget Sound, WA)Ricky the Rat Terrier (at 17" tall) was able to worm his way into areas that nothing else could penetrate.  He and "Thunder" located the remains of several victims, but mostly there wasn't much to find, says Ms. Linker.  " You'd find clothing with nobody in it." (Photos: T.J. Hurst / Seattle Times; Andrea Booher / FEMA News)

An unidentified firefighter and an unidentified dog pause to share a rare and precious moment at the World Trade Center site. The photo, really seems to speak for itself.

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