Miranda
In May of 2004, Miranda, a 4.5 year old German Shepherd earned her certification and thus a spot on this elite team. When she was diagnosed in September with osteoarthritis in the right hip, it was devastating not only to her owner, but also to the State of Texas and FEMA. An important life-saving tool was not deployable. A hip replacement was performed.
Thanks to this procedure I am happy to say that Miranda has returned to disaster work. Her enthusiasm for the job has increased 10 times or more. She has that glow in her eyes and is excited about doing her job again. She continues to do well. The spirit that burns so strong in the disaster dog’s heart, which is necessary for them to do the work they do, is there once again. Because rescuing a victim may take hours, it is vitally important that the search team be as accurate as possible in determining the location of the victim. The canine is the first “tool” used because of the speed with which they can cover large areas and the accuracy of the “finds”. Thank you for returning the glow in Miranda’s eyes, the desire and spirit in her heart for the job she truly loves, and for returning my search partner and friend back to me. She is doing excellent and words hardly tell how grateful I am.
Thanks to this procedure I am happy to say that Miranda has returned to disaster work. Her enthusiasm for the job has increased 10 times or more. She has that glow in her eyes and is excited about doing her job again. She continues to do well. The spirit that burns so strong in the disaster dog’s heart, which is necessary for them to do the work they do, is there once again. Because rescuing a victim may take hours, it is vitally important that the search team be as accurate as possible in determining the location of the victim. The canine is the first “tool” used because of the speed with which they can cover large areas and the accuracy of the “finds”. Thank you for returning the glow in Miranda’s eyes, the desire and spirit in her heart for the job she truly loves, and for returning my search partner and friend back to me. She is doing excellent and words hardly tell how grateful I am.
Texas Task Force One and Hurricane Katrina
Miranda’s owner wrote: In the event of a major disaster, natural or man-made, the need for specially trained rescue teams becomes tragically apparent. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed 26 of these specialized teams. Disasters such as Oklahoma City, the attack on the World Trade Center, and the Pentagon bring about their deployment. Texas has one of these specialized teams called the Texas Task Force One.
Contributed by William D. Liska, DVM, DACVS Houston, Texas
September 18, 2005
Miranda's Owner Wrote:
I just wanted to let you know that Miranda and I deployed to Hurricaine Katrina with the Texas Task Force as part of FEMA on the 27th of August and returned late last week. We were one of the first teams into New Orleans and although we didn't use our 4 dogs she was there with me. The water was pretty nasty as you probably have heard. We the "Texas Team" rescued 7000 people, mostly by boat. The team redeployed earlier this week, as the water has receded to about a couple feet deep as of the call I just received at about 10:30 P.M. tonight.
The Texas team has dogs there but they are not using them due to the condition of the water and contaminated surroundings. Instead the team is just walking in waders house to house.
I wanted to let you know that my deployment to help with rescues would not have been possible without Miranda's previous surgery, about 1 year ago. She continues to do well.
Miranda's Owner Wrote:
I just wanted to let you know that Miranda and I deployed to Hurricaine Katrina with the Texas Task Force as part of FEMA on the 27th of August and returned late last week. We were one of the first teams into New Orleans and although we didn't use our 4 dogs she was there with me. The water was pretty nasty as you probably have heard. We the "Texas Team" rescued 7000 people, mostly by boat. The team redeployed earlier this week, as the water has receded to about a couple feet deep as of the call I just received at about 10:30 P.M. tonight.
The Texas team has dogs there but they are not using them due to the condition of the water and contaminated surroundings. Instead the team is just walking in waders house to house.
I wanted to let you know that my deployment to help with rescues would not have been possible without Miranda's previous surgery, about 1 year ago. She continues to do well.