11 Heroic Dog Names After Search And Rescue Dogs From 911

In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, over 350 trained search and rescue dogs responded to Ground Zero and the Pentagon. These dogs worked 16 hours a day, and usually stayed on site for 7 to 14 days. Bretagne, believed to be the last surviving 9/11 Ground Zero search dog, was euthanized on June 6th, 2016. Each one of these search dogs is noteworthy and heroic. When coming up to heroic dog names, you could name your male or female puppy after one of these heroic names. Here comes our selection of 11 search and rescue dogs from 9/11, along with their heroic tales.

Apollo: Apollo was a German Shepherd born in 1992. From 1994-2001, Apollo was one of New York’s best police dogs, and contributed to multiple arrests. He was a member of the first NYPD K-9 team to train in Urban Search and Rescue settings. On September 11, 2001, Apollo and his handler, Peter Davis, were called to assist in the World Trade Center rescue effort.

Bretagne: Bretagne was a Golden Retriever, she and Denise Corliss were members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They arrived in New York to help search for victims on September 12, 2001. After 9/11, Bretagne responded to both Hurricane Katrina and Rita. She has since retired and lives with Denise Corliss. Bretagne remains in good spirit, and is an energetic dog.

Hansen: In the aftermath of 9/11, retired NYPD officer Steve Smaldon was called to Ground Zero with Hansen, a 7-year-old Belgian Shepherd Dog. In 2001, Hansen had a decorated record and was a great search dog. In total, he worked with Smaldon at Ground Zero for approximately 150 days, which is far longer than most dogs who participated in the rescue effort.

Jake: Jake was a Black Labrador and he was abndoned by his owner in Utah. At the age of 10 months, he was discovered on the street with several injuries, including a dislocated hip and broken leg. Jake was adopted by Mary Flood, who worked for a federal search and rescue team in Salt Lake City. After he was saved, Jake became a U.S. government-certified rescue dog. On September 11, 2001, Jake and Mary Flood were called to New York to help in the search effort. After 9/11, Jake helped search for victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

Red: Red is a 12-year-old Black Labrador, who responded to the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon. For multiple days, Red worked on a 27-dog team that was given the task of finding DNA evidence in the Pentagon’s north parking lot. She worked with purpose, and achieved everything that was asked.

Ricky: Ricky was an extremely small Rat Terrier, she was the smallest search dog in the United States in 2001. On September 19, 2001, Ricky and Janet Linker were called to Ground Zero in New York to help in the rescue effort. Janet Linker is a Seattle firefighter and dispatcher. At a young age, Ricky displayed incredible intelligence, and became a member of the Puget Sound Urban Search and Rescue team.

Roselle: Roselle was another Labrador Retriever, she was guiding his owner, Michael Hingson, out of the same building. Hingson was a computer sales manager who was working on the 78th Floor of the North Tower on September 11, 2001. At the time of the attack, Hingson was sitting with Roselle approximately 18 floors below the crash site. After the plane hit, Roselle calmly took Hingson to stairwell B and, despite the smoke, confusion, falling debris, and noise, the dog led his owner down 1,463 steps to safety.

Salty: Salty was a New York City guide Labrador Retriever dog that was trained in 1998. On September 11, 2001, Salty was on the 71st floor of the North Tower in the World Trade Center when the building was attacked. He was standing next to his owner, Omar Rivera, who was an employee for the headquarters of the Port Authority of New York.

Sirius: Sirius was a Yellow Labrador, and he was the only police dog known to have been killed during the September 11 terrorist attacks is Sirius. Sirius worked with Sergeant David Lim as the Explosive Detector Team of the World Trade Center.

Tikva: Tikva was one of the best theraphy dogs of the Hope Crisis Team of Eugene, Oregon. She is a Keeshound, which is an extremely smart breed of dog. After arriving in New York, Tikva became one of the most famous therapy dogs. Her job was to stand by and comfort anybody that approached.

Trakr: Trakr was a German Shepherd born in the CZech Republic in 1994. For six years, Trakr worked for the police and helped arrest dozens of criminals. On September 11, 2001, Symington immediately drove 15 hours from Prospect Bay, Nova Scotia to Manhattan with Trakr.