Preserving The Legacy Of Man’s Best Friend

Before September 11, 2001, the general public did not have a clear idea of what search and rescue (SAR) dogs did. They were mostly viewed as dogs who did rescues out in natural disasters. However, that would all change when over 300 search and rescue teams would be called in for the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center and the Twin Towers. The dogs would take center stage and show their value during such a time of tragedy.

Though the last known 9/11 search and rescue dog sadly passed away in 2016, the actions of these dogs will reverberate for years to come. Alas, due to the severity of the tragedy, they were not able to recover many souls. However, through the solid canine-human bond, they were a source of comfort for those who worked at ground zero and people all over who learned about SAR dogs.

The AKC Museum of the Dog, an art museum located in New York City dedicated to man’s best friend, wishes to assist in keeping that legacy alive. The Museum preserves, interprets, and celebrates the role of dogs in society and educates the public about the human-canine bond through its collection of art and exhibits that inspire engagement with dogs, including our next special exhibition, 9/11 Remembered: Search and Rescue Dogs, opening on September 1.

This exhibition will feature artwork highlighting search and rescue dogs, including sculptures from the DOGNY project. DOGNY was a public art installation and fundraiser conceived by Dennis Sprung, which raised two million dollars for canine search and rescue organizations throughout the United States. The exhibit will also include winners of the “Salute to Search and Rescue Dogs” art contest, which is accepting submissions until August 16.

In addition to our upcoming 9/11 Remembered exhibit, the Museum of the Dog celebrates dog heroes of all kinds. This summer, we are hosting a series with Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation that follows guide dogs in training as they learn how to be seeing-eye dogs for the blind and visually impaired. You can learn more about upcoming events and the history of SAR dogs and war dog heroes like Smoky and Sgt. Stubby from the comfort of your own home by visiting museumofthedog.org