There’s talent in the average backyard mutt — pets that often end up at Haven Humane Society’s animal shelter. In many shelters, that sought after “right stuff” in unwanted dogs goes recognized as life-saving ingredients.

Not at Haven.

Just before the end of last year, Haven’s Jagger, a yellow Lab, showed signs that led him from ordinary mutt to become a valuable asset to mankind by assisting in search and rescue operations.

During the past several years Laura Rathe, a Haven volunteer and search and rescue dog handler, has discovered the potential in other shelter dogs at Haven’s animal welfare center on Eastside Road in Redding. Several of those animals have gone on to serve mankind in one capacity or another.

It happened first in 2001, and again in 2007 when Rathe watched Jagger’s obsession with a ball, playing with it relentlessly. She quickly recognized this dog was a candidate for special training with the National Disaster Search & Rescue Dog Foundation (NSDSRDF) in Gilroy.

After months of training that began in January, Jagger recently came back to visit Haven and show off what his time with search and rescue trainers can do for a dog that has dedication and heart. Haven’s staff and visitors were treated to a special peek at what Jagger will be doing during his new career.

Haven’s new Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ray John, said he is “very impressed that Haven has dogs that nobody wanted. These are dogs that can serve humanity in so may ways, including dogs that find victims through search and rescue programs and Dogs for the Deaf, a program that assists people whose hearing is impaired.”

The spectators on the lawn area outside the shelter watched as Jagger climbed ladders and teetered in precarious positions on equipment similar to that which firefighters and rescuers utilize in reaching victims of major disasters. These disasters can and do include landslides, earthquakes and collapsed structures. The rigorous training that Jagger is receiving at the NDSRDF is preparing the canine for the day when he will seek out real victims and lead rescue crews in to save human lives.

Sharon Wolfsen, a certified NDSR dog trainer who has worked with Jagger since January, guided the big, stout yellow Lab to the ladder obstacle. Carefully taking one step at a time, Jagger climbed upward to the horizontal ladder and then tediously crossed it carrying a baton in his mouth before descending on another sloping ladder to the ground.

“He’s doing well, but he’s still in the early stages in training for search and rescue,” Wolfsen said, noting that Jagger was in poor health when he arrived at Haven and it took months to bring him up to normal physical condition. “That set him back a few steps, but he is healthy and happy and catching up now” with his training.

During the demonstration, other Haven shelter dogs were tested. One shelter dog, Haden, seemed to have a so-so interest in chasing the baton Wolfsen’s partner, trainer Karen Klingberg threw the baton, but the dog’s desire to play with it left as soon as the black Lab reached the object.

“He wanted to chase it but lost interest. That is what failed him,” said Klingberg, who said dogs that keep interest in the baton are more likely to make the cut and go on to search and rescue training. “It’s all about drive, motivation and interest to find the object and stay with it. I’ve been a victim in the training process and it’s important for the animal to find you and stay with you so rescue crews arrive with life-saving help.”

At Haven’s animal welfare center, two employees are certified in GAP, Gifted Animal Placement, and on a daily basis seek unwanted shelter dogs that can be of special service to humanity in one way or another

“Sometimes we find shelter dogs that can go to the Hearing and Service Dog training program,” said Haven staff member, Paula Carpenter, who with co-worker Stella Vasseur, received special certification with GAP a few months ago.

Jagger is being trained in rubble work, Rathe said, as the dog completed the demonstration with Wolfsen.

“He’ll find anybody in a rubble pile. He’ll bypass sounds, food and critters to find a victim – he has that kind of drive,” said Wolfsen. “It’s such an honor to receive a dog like this. He has that kind of loyalty and over-the-top drive. That’s what he lives for.”

She said it is such a worthwhile program and the NDSRF is all about “saving dogs to save human lives.”

It’s no small surprise that Haven staff and dog trainers see something special in a shelter dog, when they routinely temperament test them.

“We’re always hoping more will show even a glimmer of potential,” Rathe said. “But, we won’t know until we test them.”

Wolfsen and Klingberg both have shared special moments watching a firefighter bend down to pet and embrace his or her first search and rescue dog. That simple act usually brings with it many joyful tears that speak volumes for the appreciation the firefighter feels for this new partner.

During a search for two children in Siskiyou County’s Lava Tubes, Rathe’s husband, Wayne, and their search dog Emma received accolades from the California State Senate for locating the two children 1 ½ miles into the cave.

“Emma wouldn’t let up. She insisted the children were in the cave, even after professional cavers said the children were not there,” Rathe said.

Editor’s Note: A Valley Post editorial columnist and former reporter, Virginia Reeter is Director of Development and Community Affairs at Haven Humane Society.