Where were you on that day? Where were you ten years ago? Every one of us has a story about the ways in which the September 11, 2001 attacks impacted us and our families. What is your story? The impact of those events continue on, even now, ten years later. Today, we would like to remember the rescue dogs who played a vital role in recovering victims and saving so many lives. Almost immediately, a tragedy designed to rip our nation, families, and people apart, succeeding in accomplishing exactly the opposite — the events that occurred on 9/11/2001 brought our nation together, and we experienced a time of healing and hope that moved us forward. Together, we pooled our resources and sought to help in any way that we could. Not only did our pets provide comfort and support in a time of uncertainty and pain, they also played a significant role in seeking out victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City.

The Heroic Rescue Dogs at the World Trade Center

Search and rescue operations at the World Trade Center wreckage included many Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Collies, Rottweilers, and many other mixed breed dogs. About 100 search and rescue dogs worked hard to recover victims — both dead and alive — at the World Trade Center. These dogs came from all over the country and provided the backbone for the search and rescue missions at the wreckage. Trained to detect sweat and musky odors that are given off by bodies under stress, dogs provide valuable support for rescue operations.

Many of these dogs came to New York City directly after the attacks and stayed for several weeks. Not only did they support search and rescue, they also comforted and supported those victims who had been rescued. The work they accomplished is now commemorated in a book entitled Retrieved.

We Will Not Forget

As we remember the past and celebrate the heroic actions of so many, we move forward with the understanding that we are capable of responding with compassion and generosity. Thank you to the men and women — and dogs — who selflessly risked everything to help others. We will never forget.

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