Local dog helps search for survivors of Texas explosion

The search for survivors of the explosion in Texas continues. And it’s not just people searching; man’s best friend is helping too.

Hayden is a black lab mix who has lived two lives. One was filled with abuse and the other filled with love. His new life began at the Woods Humane Society in San Luis Obispo County.

Hayden was picked up as a stray in 2008 and the Woods Humane Society took him in and began caring for him. They noticed that he was abused.

“He had visible scarring around his muzzle where potentially, we are under the impression that his muzzle was wired shut as a form of bark prevention,” said Woods Humane Society spokesman Steve Kragenbrink.

Hayden and his handler searched an apartment building and several damaged homes in Texas Thursday.

“Hayden actually received the FEMA equivalent certification for search and rescue in Texas. He was activated in Texas in November of 2011 and he has been out deployed for natural disasters, he’s essentially been out saving lives ever since that point,” said Kragenbrink.

Woods Humane Society is partnered with the Search Dog Foundation. They adopted Hayden in 2009 and he began his training.