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Labrador's Nose Saves Lives in Disaster Zone
16 Sep
Summary
- Joey, a two-year-old Labrador, is a search-and-rescue K-9.
- He found three survivors alive in earthquake debris in Venezuela.
- Joey is a semifinalist in the American Humane Society's Hero Dog Awards.
A 2-year-old Labrador Retriever named Joey, trained by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, has been recognized for his life-saving abilities. Joey is part of the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, USA-2, and specializes in detecting people trapped in collapsed structures. He and his handler, Capt. Louis Gudiel, completed over five months of rigorous training before certification in September 2025.
Joey's exceptional skills were demonstrated during an overseas deployment to Venezuela following a devastating earthquake. Arriving three days after the disaster, when hopes for survivors were diminishing, Joey's acute sense of smell led to the discovery of three people alive beneath the rubble. This success underscores the vital importance of K-9 units in disaster response, as they can cover large, dangerous areas more efficiently than human teams.
Beyond his rescue work, Joey now provides comfort to firefighters and first responders at his Los Angeles station. While off-duty, he enjoys typical dog activities like playing fetch and spending time with his family. His heroism has led to him being named a semifinalist in the American Humane Society's 16th annual Hero Dog Awards.
