BELLBROOK FIRE/EMS

Bellbrook Fire Department
National Disaster Search Dog Foundation K-9 "Gator"

Gator is teamed with his partner, Bellbrook Lieutenant Athena Robbins (Firefighter/Paramedic.) He is a Black Labrador Retriever and originally came from Florida (that is how he got his name.) Gator comes to work with Athena on her scheduled shift days and lives with her at home during her scheduled time off.

A typical day for Gator at the Fire Station involves participating in morning checks of the department apparatus and equipment. This is where he is exposed to sights, smells and sounds that he might encounter during his work searching for victims of a disaster. Gator might in his day at the fire station, participate in public relations activities. Gator and Athena are committed to promoting the importance of canine safety. Check out Gator's Canine Safety Tips!

Gator also trains with his partner Athena each day. Their intense training involves obedience, agility, direction control and air scenting techniques that have moved Gator and Athena towards successfully attaining their FEMA Certification in 2004 at Virginia Beach.

Gator and Athena have progressed well as a team, and they continue to be involved with training at the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation to maintain their continuity as a team. Gator often visits with the employees of the Butler Company in Dublin, Ohio and has been the featured story several times in their publication, The Butler Review going out to thousands of their veterinary customers nationwide.

Do you have a pet at home? Get PetPointer to protect them should they get lost. All profits go to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. This is where Gator found Athena!