Saber: a search and rescue dog, owned by Fleta Kirk of Dallas*
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Above and beyond their place as family companions and in traditional service occupations, dogs in Texas serve in an ever-widening spectrum of therapeutic roles. The physical and emotional benefits to humans that come from relationships with dogs are now recognized and utilized by psychiatric facilities, assisted living centers, hospitals, schools and even prisons.
Today, dogs contribute more to the welfare of individuals and society than perhpas any other time in the history of the human dog bond. Additionally, increased awareness of the importance of humane care and control of dogs, the enactment and enforcement of leash laws, and dog bite prevention education, have all been instrumental in drastically lowering the number of reported dog-related injuries nationwide.
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*Saber, a 10 year-old Collie, and his owner Fleta Kirk, are members of the MARK-9 Search and Rescue in Texas. Certified in 1996 as an air scent dog qualified for urban, disaster and wilderness work, Saber is crossed-trained in water search, scent discrimination, cadaver work, and trailing. He is an original member of Texas Task Force 1, a statewide disaster response team. 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.
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.
National Canine Research Council