BRAVA Signature Project (Synthetic Spanish Barrel Tile):

Natural Disaster Search Dog Foundation, Santa Paula, California

Sniffing Out Survival: How BRAVA helps our country’s bravest dogs prepare for disaster.

In April 1995, the Oklahoma City bombing exposed a critical gap in emergency response. Wilma Melville, working alongside her search dog Murphy, witnessed firsthand the limitations of existing search and rescue protocols.

The aftermath of that devastating attack, which claimed 168 lives, revealed a stark reality: the United States lacked highly trained canine search teams. Most regions had minimal, if any, sophisticated search dog units capable of navigating complex disaster zones. Melville’s experience was a personal calling. She understood that dogs possess extraordinary capabilities that, when properly trained, could mean the difference between life and death in the most challenging rescue scenarios.Determined to change this, Melville envisioned a program where rescued dogs could be trained and paired with first responders—preparing them for any scenario.That vision became the Search Dog Foundation's National Training Center. An impressive 145-acre facility designed to replicate real disaster conditions.

On February 6, 2023, two devastating earthquakes—7.8 and 7.7 in magnitude—shook southern Turkey and northern Syria.

The destruction stretched across an area the size of Germany, claiming over 50,000 lives and reducing entire neighborhoods to rubble. Search and rescue teams worked tirelessly through massive concrete slabs, twisted metal, and maze-like terrain. In these extreme conditions, human searchers could spend hours without finding survivors. This is where specially trained teams become critical.

One of these teams had a unique skill to help—four legs and a nose trained to trace a scent buried beneath the rubble. The canines and handlers from The Search Dog Foundation are called upon to navigate treacherous landscapes of collapsed roofs, shattered tiles, and unstable debris—sniffing out survivors buried beneath the wreckage. Their heroic efforts save lives.

The challenges they faced in Turkey were some of the toughest they’ve ever seen. Each dog moved with incredible agility and strength—squeezing through narrow openings and helping rescue survivors.

But when the teams returned home from Turkey, they identified a critical gap in their training. “We didn’t have the right props at our training center to simulate roof collapses with loose, slippery tiles,” explains Denise Sanders, Senior Director of Communications at Search Dog Foundation. “That’s when we reached out to BRAVA Tile.”

ENTER BRAVA

When BRAVA Tile Sales Manager Aaron Sholl received the call, he knew it was a no-brainer partnership.“Hearing what this team is capable of, I realized in a moment's notice, these dogs and handlers could be in Nepal with little to any notification and be able to hit the ground ready. We wanted to do whatever we could to help support their training of rescue dogs.”

For BRAVA Tile, this collaboration was about more than donating materials—it was an opportunity to contribute directly to life-saving efforts.

Jason Marquez, Southwest Regional Manager for BRAVA Tile shares the same enthusiasm for this partnership.

“I have to start by saying—I’m a dog person to the extreme,” Jason says with a smile.“We are very honored for the opportunity to donate materials that help their mission. Seeing all the different dogs training, from young pups to old ones like me, it’s just incredible.” This collaboration strengthened a mission that began nearly 30 years ago—one that emerged from tragedy.

Walking through the facility, you come face-to-face with twisted steel beams growing out of rubble piles, shattered concrete slabs lean precariously, and cars lie crushed beneath debris. Within the facility, dogs navigate Search City—a tornado-ravaged neighborhood prop—and Industrial Park, featuring the twisted wreckage of a collapsed freeway. "Here, dogs learn to navigate everything,"says Denise.

"Visiting teams from all over the country come here to be challenged on dynamic props they wouldn't get to experience except on a deployment."

— Denise Sanders, Natural Disaster, Search Dog foundation

To create a realistic prop of a collapsed roof, every detail matters. BRAVA’s roofing tiles, like the Spanish Barrel tile, provided an ideal real-world simulation.

For example, the tiles are made from sustainable plastic with zero water absorption and 100% water shedding characteristics—meaning dogs train on surfaces that closely mimic the treacherous conditions they'll encounter in actual disaster zones.

This durability allows the Search Dog Foundation to create persistent training scenarios that mirror real-world conditions. "One of the things we work with our dogs on, whether they're just starting out or veterans, is footing and agility," explains Denise Sanders. "The BRAVA tile prop creates highly challenging roof collapse scenarios with slippery, shifting surfaces that are challenging for the dogs. Plus, we can safely position victims beneath the tiles, allowing dogs to track their scent—just like in a real deployment"

These realistic training conditions are already showing results. Handlers report that their dogs are more confident navigating treacherous terrain, especially in collapsed structures and unstable environments.

Seeing what the SDF is doing to help train rescue dogs is impressive. Knowing that your roofing tiles play a part in saving lives is a rewarding feeling. But a big reason BRAVA is proud to partner with the foundation is their dedication and passion for giving rescued dogs a new purpose.

Many of these dogs arrive with complicated histories—some found as strays, others rescued from shelters where they were overlooked due to high energy or perceived behavioral challenges. SDF sees potential where others see problems. “When a dog comes through the gates here, it has already begun its journey with the help of many humans along the way,” Denise reflects.

“From shelter staff to volunteers who bring the dogs here, each step is part of a bigger mission.”

— Denise Sanders, Natural Disaster, Search Dog Foundation

The training process is as much about building trust and confidence as it is about developing technical skills. Trainers use play, positive reinforcement, and carefully designed scenarios to help these dogs overcome past traumas.

A dog that may have once been considered 'untrainable' learns to navigate complex, unstable terrain with precision and purpose.“We see that moment when they enjoy playing with a toy, and we’re able to connect with them on that innate level."

Denise explains. “That connection carries through their entire career.” It truly takes a village — from the SDF staff who walk, bathe, and train the dogs daily, to partners like BRAVA who provide essential materials for realistic training. “As we look to the future, we're always looking for ways to better not only our training program, but the training props that we have here on campus as well,” Denise shares.

“And so we really look for that sense of community, that sense of pride and the want to make a big impact on the world, and we recognize that immediately with BRAVA.”

This shared commitment to excellence and impact is what makes the partnership a perfect fit. The SDF relies on community-driven support to stay ready for whatever comes next, and BRAVA shares that same drive to make a difference. “We're passionate about the products we create and the relationships we build,” Aaron Scholl highlights. “When you get opportunities to make relationships with Denise and the team here at SDF, it really hits home and it makes you feel at the end of the day that what you're doing matters.”

How You Can Support the Mission

The work of the Search Dog Foundation is made possible by people like you. To help these incredible dogs and their handlers stay ready for the next disaster, consider making a donation at SearchDogFoundation.org.

To see how BRAVA Tile continues to impact communities through durable, sustainable products, and to read more stories like this one, follow us on social media and visit bravarooftile.com.

Together, we’re building stronger, more prepared communities — one paw, one tile, and one story at a time.