Jesse P searching a rubble pile in Lincoln NE May 31, 2015
“Training so others may live"
Jesse P was born April 20, 2013. His father, Sire Longleaf Angus and mother, Dam Maranatha’s Black Talon Phallon JH are both AKC registered Labrador Retrievers. Both parents come from a long back ground of Field work and US&R.
Jesse P.’s journey began when he was generously donated to Penn Vet by LP Kennels when he was just eight weeks old. Jesse P. received his name “Jesse” in memory of a K9 named Jessie and his handler Roger Picard who were deployed to the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attack. The “P” in Jesse’s name came from a history of Maranatha Kennels naming all their dogs with the first letter “P”. Thus Jesse P.
When Jesse P. arrived at Penn Vet he was given to a foster family. During the day Jesse would attend school and training at Penn Vet. At the conclusion of the work day Jesse enjoyed going home with his foster family. The foster family treated Jesse like he was theirs and would take him on adventures such as going to the ocean. Over the course of just under two years, Jesse acquired the skills to be an Urban Search and Rescue K9.
March 2015 Jesse P. was purchased by New Mexico Taskforce 1 and Jason was to be his handler. Jason flew to Philadelphia PA where he received a crash course on being a US&R K9 handler. Upon returning to New Mexico Jesse P was lovingly accepted into his new home.
Over the next two month Jason and Jesse P learned how to work together in their back yard. Whether it was playing fetch, going for walks, playing with tugs or doing directionals, they learned to understand each other. Then in May 2015 the rubble pile training began. First it was Carlsbad NM at the Permian Basin, next it was Phoenix with the Arizona Search Dogs and then finally the national certification in Lincoln NE. It was a crazy blur followed by the ultimate test of a new K9 and new handler. Were glad to say that the K9 Team passed the National Certification and are now a deployable team for New Mexico Taskforce 1.
To learn more about Urban Search and Rescue K9’s go to https://www.fema.gov/canines-role-urban-search-rescue