Saluting the 4-Legged Heroes of 9/11

On the eve of the ten-year anniversary of September 11,  we pay tribute once more to all the heroes of that day. Thousands of men and women entered Ground Zero to help search and recover victims and survivors, but they were not the only brave souls to save lives. The 300 “hero dogs” of 9/11 cannot share their own stories, but their efforts gave solace, comfort and hope to many.

Rescue dogs worked tirelessly to recover survivors and victims of the World Trade Center’s collapse, but their work didn’t end there. Long after the search-and-rescue efforts, service dogs offered emotional support and comfort to traumatized survivors and weary rescue workers.

In many ways these dogs are still working to help us in the aftermath of September 11. Philanthropist Charles Annenberg Weingarten founded the organization Dog Bless You to pair therapy dogs with victims of disasters such as September 11, Hurricane Katrina, and the tsunami in Japan, as well as soldiers returning from war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At South by Southwest Interactive in March, we connected with Charles and his dog Lucky, a former search and rescue dog. Even though Lucky is retired from duty, he still makes a difference as the face of the organization, getting the word out about how others can donate their time and energy to the cause. Charles and Lucky are taking this 10-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks to remember and honor the rescue dogs who helped that day.